The ripple effects from the NEPSAC Girls Scholastic Showcase has already got me looking forward to the next prep basketball season.
NEPSAC's top girls basketball programs are stacked with talent. Class AAA, in its third year of existence on the girls side, might be the best it's ever been. Our top eight teams come from AAA, and all eight truly have a chance to win the title. I'm not sure if a AAA team will lose to a non-AAA NEPSAC team this winter.
The below rankings are not bulletin-board material yet. It's only early summer and I have several months to lock in my preseason takes and predictions. But I did learn a lot at the Scholastic Showcase about the rosters we'll be seeing in winter. I'm confident these 10 programs will be among the best.
Here are my summer rankings, plus some additional teams who could break onto the list.
1. Nobles
Last year: Lost to New Hampton in Class AAA quarterfinals
The Bulldogs are on top in this unofficial check-in because, to me, they actually have the fewest question marks among the AAA squads. Though graduating Brynn Bryant and Vanessa Ellis will hurt, most of the main contributors from last winter are back. I think Nobles has a great mix of established winning production and upside.
It starts with Alannah Morantus (North Attleboro, Mass.). If the Scholastic Showcase is any indication, Morantus could skyrocket after a strong first season at Nobles. She's also a tough defensive guard, and she'll have two more beside her in Naya Annigeri (Medfield, Mass.) and Aliyah Allston-Pujols (Randolph, Mass.). Annigeri gets to transfer in and team up with Brown commit Izzy Kittredge (Medfield, Mass.) after the duo won two MIAA titles at Medfield. Then Nobles has additional options with two top 2029 prospects in Anabel Brooks (Marlboro, Mass.) and Nahla Perkins (Needham, Mass.).
This could be the best defensive team in NEPSAC with plenty of shooting and scoring potential.
SCHOLASTIC SHOWCASE STANDOUTS: 2027 guards | 2027 forwards | 2028 | 2029 & 2030
2. Tilton
Last season: Lost to New Hampton in Class AAA semifinals
With Bella Owumi (Lynn, Mass.) locked in for senior year, Tilton has a star beacon for a run to recapture the AAA title. The Rams did lose some big-time pieces, particularly graduating Bella Cucuta, Maddie McCaffery and Brooke Golden. But those positional holes can be covered. Celia Neilson (Georgetown, Mass.) takes a postgrad year after winning an MIAA title at Bishop Fenwick. Ava Bryant, at 6-foot-5, is an obvious candidate to ascend to starting center. Kamryn Derba (South Easton, Mass.) will aid some of the pace and shooting lost with McCaffery's departure.
Behind them, Tilton will need to figure out some of its depth pieces especially among the younger talent. But this is a Tara Brisson-coached team, which means a tough defensive unit, so that plus Owumi's dominance gives the Rams a nice floor. How the rest develop will determine the ceiling.
3. Dexter Southfield
Last season: Lost to Tabor in Class AAA quarterfinals
I think this is the best roster in NEPSAC on paper.
Ella Peper (Newton, Mass.) broke out as the star everyone was waiting for last season before missing time with an ankle injury. Avery Bollin (Raynham, Mass.) has become reliable and productive as a post player. Riley Hamilton (Lexington, Mass.), Sam Barton (Reading, Mass.) and transfer Maliah Pierre (Whitman, Mass.) represent experienced senior leadership on the wing. Dexter has so many options to fill its guard spots and is genuinely at least two or three-deep with rotation-ready contributors at every position.
In recent years, Dexter has cycled through coaches and struggled to put together a full season. Kianna Ray has drawn rave reviews for her ability to connect with players as a younger first-year head coach. If she fits with the roster come wintertime, Dexter can absolutely win Class AAA.
4. Newman
Last season: Lost to Hoosac in Class AAA quarterfinals
This Newman team is deep. Four of the starting five from last season — Ayla Keefe, Gabby Middleton (Stoughton, Mass.), Hillary Simo and Shannon Welburn (Wellesley, Mass.) — return. Navy commit Khalia Lewis could logically slot right into the missing forward spot as a 2027 transfer. Or the Cardinals could go small and lean on more of their guards, be it 2027 returner Shea Welburn (Wellesley, Mass.) or 2029 transfers Melody Vaughn or Lila McCarty (Sharon, Mass.).
This roster is loaded with shooting and second-year coach Katie Kolinski will have a ton of flexibility to mix and match lineup combinations. Newman might not have the singular star akin to some of these other top AAA squads, but a balanced team gives them title upside.
5. Hoosac
Last season: Won Class AAA championship
After an all-in run and monumental first AAA title, Hoosac has to grapple with significant roster turnover. Our AAA Player of the Year, Anna Moser, is back and better than ever, but at least five major rotation players have graduated. Marist commit Teagan Keane is the only other rotation mainstay returning.
The Scholastic Showcase gave me a great look at how Hoosac is re-tooling. My main takeaway: this squad will likely not be as physically imposing as last year, but it looks faster and more versatile offensively. The Lanni twins, Giada and Sofia, will be key contributors next to Moser. Akarri Gaddy transfers in as an athletic forward who will provide the punch in the post. I still have a lot to learn about Hoosac's makeup, but expect those five to lead the title defense.
6. Tabor
Last season: Lost to Hoosac in Class AAA semifinals
Lydia Caputi won our AAA Coach of the Year award and star forward Corinne Lomax (Watertown, Conn.) landed on our All-AAA First Team. Lomax only continues to improve as one of New England's top prospects and it's hard to see who can individually match up against her next season. They'll take Tabor far, along with Colgate commit Lauren Fitzgerald (North Attleboro, Mass.) on the wing.
The questions are in the backcourt, where Lily Davis (Waterford, Conn.) is the only returner who played significant minutes last season. Davis is more than capable of leading an offense, but who will help her? I'm watching to see how Allie McBride (Etna, N.H.) transfers in. Mackenzie Martinez (Walpole, Mass.) could step up, or even 2030 guard Ally Ulysse (North Easton, Mass.), previously a leader at Chapel Hill-Chauncey Hall.
7. New Hampton
Last season: Lost to Hoosac in Class AAA championship
Graduating Elyse Ngenda, Serenity Lancaster and Chloe Dix leaves a serious void in talent and leadership. The Huskies have reloaded in the frontcourt with two 2028 stars from Bedford, N.H.: versatile post player Mel McCarthy and athletic forward Eva Zink. They quickly became go-to contributors at the Scholastic Showcase and should adjust to NEPSAC successfully. Add in growth from returner Shannon O'Leary (Marshfield, Mass.), and the Huskies should feel confident in their top frontcourt trio.
In the backcourt, 2029 Saige DeJesus (Brockton, Mass.) inherits the lead guard role, flanked by 2027s Ava Perry (Groveland, Mass.) and Casey Stores (Bellingham, Mass.). We'll have to see what depth emerges behind these six, but New Hampton typically surprises us with another breakout player or two.
8. Darrow
Last season: Won Class AA championship
Darrow is replacing St. Andrew's as the final team in Class AAA. But even though they're starting last in the class here, the defending AA champion Ducks have a strong roster and a new coach in Jelani Williams. They'll stay tough in the frontcourt with imposing center DD Harcourt and new 2028 transfer Malia Jackson. Their small guard trio of Dior Dobere, Taelor Arnold (Hartford, Conn.) and Brooke Lilley all return and can catch fire in a given game. Loren Green transfers in from Rochester, N.Y., as another sweet-shooting 2028 guard. Though AAA is a big leap and Williams will have a learning curve as a first-time head coach, I expect Darrow to compete relatively quickly.
9. MacDuffie
Last season: Missed Class AA playoffs
The Mustangs haven't been contenders at the top of NEPSAC for a long time. But Kahari Beaufort took over the program last year, and this spring, he's loaded up the roster at an opportune time for a breakout. Sharpshooters Sammi Santacroce and Layla Ljubuncic, 2029 elite prospect Reese Jeamel and 2030 point guard Maya Ocana-Saunders are all ready to contribute in NEPSAC and join athletic 2027 forward Autumn Udoh.
On paper, this is the most talented roster in Class AA. We just have to see if MacDuffie's program culture is ready to win now.
10. Wilbraham & Monson
Last season: Lost in Class AA semifinals to Worcester Academy
The Titans have long been excited about their 2028 class, and as it grows to upperclassmen this offseason, there's potential for a real leap. Addison Brennan (Monroe, Conn.) is one of the region's top 2028 prospects; she and Gabby Ravosa (East Longmeadow, Mass.) complement each other well. Avery Vanderburg (Easton, Conn.) is a fierce competitor and capable of a scoring leap, with twin sister Kinsleigh a similarly-tough all-around wing. Olivia Macklin (Waterbury, Conn.), a 2029 point guard, just landed her first Div. 1 offer from Howard.
WMA graduated two Div. 1-bound talents in Caterina Ravosa and Selah Prignano, but the rest of the roster last year was young. It's got championship potential in AA.
More potential contenders
Class AA: Northfield Mount Hermon, Worcester Academy – These two established NEPSAC powers with widely-respected head coaches will always be in the title hunt. NMH graduated some of its significant depth from last year but still has star guard Zariah Ottley (Rockland, Mass.) and stretch forward Jocelyn Gesner as senior leaders. Worcester Academy hopes a healthy Gracyn Barnes (Grafton, Mass.) sparks the offense and added frontcourt talent makes a difference.
Class A: Sacred Heart, Loomis Chaffee, Phillips Andover — Defending champion Sacred Heart still has dynamic two-way forward Lucianna Parrotta, but with a super young supporting cast, we'll have to see how the roster grows. Loomis Chaffee is always deep and a contender. I think Phillips Andover, with almost all of last season's semifinalist roster returning, is a sneaky early pick to win the class. But that team still has to announce a new head coach following the departure of Jen Weissbach.
Class B Large: Lawrence Academy, Berkshire, Suffield, St. Luke's — Lawrence Academy surprised me with its run to the Class B final and overtime loss to Berkshire. The Spartans have a strong 2028 core with Kiera Paradis (Goffstown, N.H.), Kendall Sullivan (Tyngsboro, Mass.) and Jhene Fortunat (West Boylston, Mass.), plus high-level 2029 guard Alana Brownstein (Arlington, Mass.). Berkshire brings back much of its title-winning starting lineup and added some fun young guards. Suffield and St. Luke's have standout top talent, but I want to see how their depth shapes up.
Class B Small: Kimball Union, Hamden Hall – These two could meet for a third straight year in a championship title game. Kimball Union has 2028s Sophie Dupeyron and Jordynn Elijah on the rise in addition to 2027 Stonehill commit Nyasia Caban (Lawrence, Mass.). Though Hamden Hall lost some of its core, reigning Class B Small Player of the Year Maddie Benigni (East Hampton, Conn.) should be a force again.
