GROTON, Mass. — Through nine games, Worcester Academy head coach Jamie Sullivan knows his group has tempted fate with several close games.
Four of the Hilltoppers' games have been decided by four points or less, including a wild overtime loss to Tilton on Sunday at home in the annual Blackburn Invitational championship game. A few bounces in other directions, and their season could look differently.
“We’re 7-2, but we could be 9-0 and we probably could be 5-4,” Sullivan said.
But records aside, Worcester Academy is figuring itself out. And after so many close games, they’re becoming increasingly comfortable when they face tough moments. That was evident on Wednesday night, when they rebounded from Sunday’s loss with an impressive 78-66 road victory over Lawrence Academy in a NEPSAC Class AA game.
Worcester led by as many as 15 in the second half before Lawrence came roaring back, twice cutting it to three in the late stages. But with momentum going against them, and inside a tough environment with a rowdy crowd, the Hilltoppers calmly delivered a winning response with an 11-0 run – led by Amir Jenkins and Payton Kamin and capped by Ryan Sullivan’s exclamation tip slam in the final minute – to escape with a hard-fought victory.
“It’s always a hard place to play,” Sullivan said. “Lawrence has football players, they’re tough, their crowd’s into the game. …
“We’re optimistic, but we know we haven’t played our best basketball either,” he added. “We’re just really learning each other.”
Alex Egbuonu had another monster game for Lawrence Academy (4-2), but the Spartans – who suffered another injury on Wednesday night – didn’t have enough horses to overcome Worcester, whose press and pace bothered them all night.
Let’s dive into the standouts and takeaways.
Alex Egbuonu, Lawrence Academy
Class of 2026, 6-6 wing
Hometown: Nashua, N.H.
A performance that’s almost expected at this point, Egbuonu had a game-high 34 points, including 25 in the second half as he put the Spartans on his back and nearly led a comeback. He once again scored in every way imaginable, including five 3-pointers and an absurd spin move in the first half that included a behind-the-back dribble for two. He was a disruptor defensively, forcing several steals that led to run-outs, and he had a handful of blocks. His aggressiveness was on display, too. It seemed like whenever he grabbed a defensive rebound, he looked to take it coast to coast. On one play, Egbuonu went downhill at a defender, who stepped away as he smashed a one-handed dunk. At 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, Egbuonu is an unstoppable, runaway freight train in the open floor.
Egbuonu is now averaging 29 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.5 blocks per game this season, and it’s scary to think about what the rest of the winter will look like. Lawrence will certainly be relying on his superpowers.
MORE: The latest NEPSAC boys power rankings
Derek Schlupf, Lawrence Academy
Class of 2025, 6-5 forward
Hometown: Lunenburg, Mass.
Schlupf picked up an unnecessary technical foul in the first half for a little too much pushing and shoving with an opponent, but he made up for it with some terrific hustle plays. Moments after the technical, Schlupf got three offensive rebounds on a possession and refused to give up on his misses before finishing one. In the second half, he was instrumental in the comeback bid with a big putback and then a 3-pointer that cut Lawrence’s deficit to three. When others struggled to supplement Egbuonu, Schlupf stepped up to provide a spark off the bench.
Jake Blackburn, Worcester Academy
Class of 2025, 6-5 guard
Hometown: Southborough, Mass.
NCAA: Binghamton
One of the best outside shooters in New England, Blackburn demonstrated that with three triples on Wednesday night, including a big one in Worcester’s game-sealing 11-0 run. I was also impressed with his confidence to score in a variety of ways inside the arc, which included a smooth pull-up jumper and draining a mid-range shot while taking contact. He found his spots efficiently.
Amir Jenkins, Worcester Academy
Class of 2026, 6-2 guard
Hometown: Worcester, Mass.
Jenkins has made the transition from MIAA – where he was a back-to-back state champion with Worcester North – to NEPSAC look seamless. He was once again the engine on both ends for Worcester Academy, finishing with 19 points (14 in the first half) and five assists as he made the right reads time and time again. Jenkins, using his quickness and change of direction, was an impossible cover for Lawrence guards as he got into the paint consistently, where he showcased his ability to play off two feet and either finish at the rim or find teammates. He was also a terror on defense at the head of Worcester’s press, where he pocketed several steals and made life miserable for Lawrence’s backcourt.
“He’s the fastest guy on the court,” Sullivan said. “He can get to the rim at will, and he’s very crafty around the rim. It’s controlling his emotions because he’s so used to winning and sometimes that gets the best of him, and creating opportunities for other guys constantly, which he has the ability to do and he did that tonight. So yes, he can get in and score but we’ve been really stressing getting two feet in the paint and really looking for others.”
MORE: Amir Jenkins Q&A on memorable summer, transferring to Worcester Academy
Payton Kamin, Worcester Academy
Class of 2025, 6-7 guard/forward
Hometown: Chicago, Ill.
After a quiet first half, Kamin scored 19 of his 21 points in the second half and was critical in helping Worcester Academy pull away. He stayed patient, let the game come to him and attacked when there were opportunities. He was aggressive in getting to the basket and drew several fouls, going 7-for-8 from the foul line. He also hit a pair of big 3-pointers and pulled down some tough rebounds. Sullivan thought Kamin was the key.
“(He’s) probably the most underrated player in New England right now,” Sullivan said. “He’s a scorer. He’s got a scorer’s mentality. He’s just absolutely tremendous with letting the game come to him and not forcing it.”
Ryan Sullivan, Worcester Academy
Class of 2025, 6-9 forward/center
Hometown: Auburn, Mass.
Sullivan’s stock and confidence are continuing to grow. Two weeks after he impressed at the Zero Gravity Prep Classic, the big man made a huge impact on both ends in the second half. He scored 10 points, including a pair of buckets in the post over Egbuonu that featured one impressive up and under move. He was a force defensively at the rim, too, deterring several shots and swatting two blocks in the final minutes before his monster tip slam sealed the game.
“He’s big, he’s tough, he’s athletic but he’s got character, he’s got will, all the things you’d want in a player on your team,” Jamie Sullivan said.
Takeaways
1. Caleb Baker (Whitman, Mass.), Lawrence Academy’s promising wing, left the game in the second half in a sling after injuring his collarbone. The athletic 6-foot-4 sophomore had 10 points before the injury and had been a bright spot for the Spartans early in his first NEPSAC season, but it’s unclear when he’ll be back this season, if at all.
Without Baker and starting point guard Evan Mitchner (Providence, R.I.), who is still out with a stress fracture in his foot, it was an uphill battle for Lawrence to deal with Worcester’s press and perimeter defense. The Hilltoppers, led by Jenkins, successfully sped them up, made them uncomfortable and forced several turnovers.
2. Worcester Academy was also shorthanded. Connor Swider (Portsmouth, R.I.), a Youngstown State commit and core Hilltoppers piece, was in a boot due to a broken foot. Cam Hailey (Dorchester, Mass.), who's dealing with a concussion, and Chris Vinson (ankle) were also missing.
“We’re down, but that’s why we built our team with depth,” Sullivan said.
3. Wednesday’s matchup was a good reminder that BABC’s 2026 team next summer is loaded. Jenkins and Egbuonu, who are expected to rise in national rankings this winter, will star on that squad that figures to be among the best on the Adidas AAU circuit.
