Between last March and this offseason, we’re noticing a power shift in NEPSAC girls basketball.
Tilton captured the AAA crown last year, marking the first time since 2018-19 that a school not named Nobles or Tabor won in NEPSAC’s highest class. Darrow stunned in its first AA season by reaching the championship game, and that’s just the start for a class that should field another competitive championship battle among its top teams. And there are more storylines from Class A on down.
Last year was our inaugural run chronicling the NEPSAC Top 10. My first preseason crystal ball went... OK. Five of my top six teams stayed in that range, but four other Top 10 programs got replaced in the rankings by season's end. There's plenty of room for similar chaos and jostling for position this year.
Here’s our season-opening look at the top 10 teams in NEPSAC.
READ ALL ABOUT IT:Â Our Fall 2025 magazine previews the school season
1. Tilton
Head coach: Tara Brisson
Last year: 30-4, won Class AAA championship
Players to watch: Bela Cucuta, G; Brooke Golden, C; Bella Owumi, G/F
The Rams don’t start on top simply because they’re defending AAA champions. They went out and added arguably the most high-profile NEPSAC transfer in recent memory in national top-30 2027 prospect Owumi. She joins senior returners Golden, Cucuta and Maddie McCaffery to form a stellar starter core. With new guard depth from transfers like Lily Norton, Kam Derba and freshman Giuliana Shepard, Tilton made up for its graduated class. Under Brisson, this should again be a stingy defensive unit with possibly more offensive juice.
COVER STORY:Â How the Rams are handling the pressure of their new NEPSAC spotlight
2. New Hampton
Head coach: Jamie Bavaro
Last year: 19-9, advanced to Class AAA semifinals
Players to watch: Chloe Dix, G/F; Serenity Lancaster, F; Elyse Ngenda, G
I consider Tilton vs. New Hampton a coin flip; they’re a tier above the rest of NEPSAC. The Huskies boast the best duo in New England with seniors Ngenda and Lancaster. They also made significant waves with their transfer additions, from the Australian standout Dix, to MIAA star Kailey Sullivan, to elite 2028 prospect Saige DeJesus and more. New Hampton has the deepest roster in prep school in my opinion and this could be a stars-aligning season for the program.
LOCKED AND LOADED:Â Why the stacked Huskies believe now is their time
3. Hoosac
Head coach: Julie McBride
Last year: 15-12, advanced to Class AAA quarterfinals
Players to watch: Uliana Doronina, G/F; Sophia Lee, G; Anna Moser, G
I will not let the perennial AAA sleeper catch me off guard this year. Hoosac was one of the most frustrating opponents for its rivals last season and also made big-time splashes in recruiting. Russian 2026 wing Doronina leads a roster that is loaded with size and versatility in the frontcourt. But the buckets will first come from Moser. Her microwave scoring complements a roster that will bully opponents and shut things down on defense.
SLEEPER NO LONGER:Â How Hoosac can use last year's strong season to make a title leap
4. Northfield Mount Hermon
Head coach: Grace Rehnquist
Last year: 21-7, advanced to Class AA semifinals
Players to watch: Olivia Fleming, G; Zariah Ottley, G; Molly Sisson, C
NMH’s largely successful season was undone by inconsistency, particularly in the upset home playoff loss as the top seed. But this year’s roster retains much of the backcourt production highlighted by Fleming, Ottley and Breena Hannon. NMH also went out and got two massive frontcourt transfers: Sisson, a former St. Andrew’s star, and North Carolina native Jocelyn Gesner. With tons of experience and playmaking options, NMH is my early Class AA title favorite.
BIG ADDITIONS:Â Why NMH believes it has the right roster to win a title
5. Nobles
Head coach: Alex Gallagher
Last year: 30-2, advanced to Class AAA championship game
Players to watch: Brynn Bryant, G; Izzy Kittredge, F; Alannah Morantus, G
This winter marks a new chapter for Nobles after graduating the final group of stars from its 88-6 run across three seasons. Nobles is much younger, but that youth is talented, led by top 2028 transfer Morantus and 2027 transfer Kittredge. Bryant and Vanessa Ellis represent versatile defenders and senior leaders returning from last year’s squad. Throw in another 2028 standout in Aliyah Allston-Pujols, and I’m certainly not going to doubt Gallagher’s ability to construct a winner.
A DIFFERENT LOOK:Â How this year's young Bulldogs can prove they're still elite
6. Darrow
Head coach: Abby Streeter
Last year: 19-10, advanced to Class AA championship game
Players to watch: Jill Dingler, G; Daniella Harcourt, C; Taelor Arnold, G
The Ducks were NEPSAC’s breakout story of last winter, skyrocketing from Class D afterthought to Class AA finalist in Streeter’s first year leading the program. They graduated some significant names, including a late 2025 reclass when Daniella McLean committed to Washington. But they also made big moves adding transfer guards and have some important pieces back like the above mentioned stars. Prior to McLean’s departure, Darrow would’ve been my AA title pick. They’re still a leader in the class.
NEPSAC COACHES SURVEY: Top players | Best teams | The growth of NEPSAC
7. Wilbraham & Monson
Head coach: Durelle Brown
Last year: 21-10, advanced to Class AA semifinals
Players to watch: Selah Prignano, G; Caterina Ravosa, F; Avery Vanderburg, G/F
The Titans gave us great moments in their first Class AA season but were too inconsistent to truly be a title contender. I bet that changes this year. Brown has almost his exact same roster back, which means Ravosa and Prignano again forming a dynamic 1-2 punch. WMA also boasts a sophomore class loaded with untapped potential. Vanderburg, Addison Brennan, Gabby Ravosa and more look ready for leaps, which should help form a more balanced rotation.
LEVELING UP:Â Why the Titans think they're ready to win the Class AA championship
8. Dexter Southfield
Head coach: Tammy Millsaps
Last year: 15-14, advanced to Class AAA quarterfinals
Players to watch: Avery Bollin, F; Brooke Nunnally-Gardner, C; Ella Peper, G/F
In Millsaps’ first season, Dexter will undergo a dramatic culture shift that may take time to flourish. But this roster is awesome. Superstar sophomore Peper leads the bunch. Senior Nunnally-Gardner and freshman Bollin form a fun frontcourt duo. Juice Coston is a notable transfer addition from Beaver and Riley Hamilton stays underrated on the wing. I expect this team to go through early growing pains but be much better in March than November.
BRINGING THE HEAT:Â How Dexter wants to player tougher and harder under Millsaps
9. Loomis Chaffee
Head coach: Adrian Stewart
Last year: 25-3, won Class A championship
Players to watch: Izzy Cruz, G; Leah McKenzie, G/F; Lauren Wright, F
It’s extremely difficult to project this Pelicans team after it graduated seven key seniors from last year’s four-peat squad. But I do know Stewart is one of the most widely-respected coaches in the region. I also know this roster still has tons of talent, starting with the above returners who have bided their time learning for these new large roles. Is Loomis Chaffee in its most uncertain position in a long time? Yes. Would I bet on them figuring things out? Definitely.
A WHOLE NEW LOOK:Â Here are the fresh faces leading the Pelicans this winter
10. Tabor
Head coach: Lydia Caputi
Last year: 25-4, advanced to Class AA semifinals
Players to watch: Molly Corcoran, G; Lauren Fitzgerald, G/F; Corinne Lomax, F
I think the Seawolves are going to be sneaky fun to watch. Sure, their graduation of three superstars hits as hard as any other program. But Corcoran, Fitzgerald and Lomax scream breakout candidates. Caputi, in her first year as head coach after swapping roles with Will Becker, wants her team to play faster, and I think she has the right roster for it. There’s more continuity at Tabor than people realize, and that should help them contend.
TURNING THE PAGE:Â How Tabor is approaching its new era under Caputi
The next five: Newman, Sacred Heart, Berkshire, Worcester Academy, Suffield
