The National Prep Showcase gives us a unique opportunity to see how the best teams in New England stack up against the top prep teams from around the country. The likes of Blair Academy, Western Reserve and postgraduate teams from Sunrise Christian and IMG Academy – along with nationally-ranked prospects from out of the region – to compete last weekend at Albertus Magnus.
New England’s best, once again, held its own.
Some took an early-season lump or two – which can be necessary this early in the season – but several programs left New Haven, Conn., for Thanksgiving break feeling pretty good about where they are.
Newman maintains its spot at No. 1 in our NEPSAC power rankings, and there was some movement behind them. With limited games during the Thanksgiving break, our next update will come in December after the Zero Gravity Prep Classic.
Here’s our latest Top 10.
1. Newman (5-0)
Previous ranking: 1
Next game: vs. St. Andrew's, Dec. 3, 6 p.m.
The Cardinals took care of business with a 3-0 week, including beating Sunrise Christian and Knox at the National Prep Showcase. Newman trailed by four to Knox at halftime before erupting for a 19-2 run to start the second half, then holding off a late rally. Quinn Costello (Medford, Mass.) set two scoring career highs last week – going for 36 in the win over Sunrise – and Louis O’Keefe continued to be the Cardinals’ steady hand at point guard with Lucas Morillo still sidelined. He had 15 assists in their win over Bright School last week.
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2. Cushing (3-1)
Previous ranking: 3
Next game: vs. MacDuffie, Dec. 5, 8 p.m. (at ZG Prep Classic)
Despite losing to New Hampton at NEBL’s opening weekend last week, the Penguins move back up to No. 2 after two impressive victories at the National Prep Showcase, outlasting Western Reserve in a thriller before handling Sunrise Christian. Ryan Moesch went insane in the final minutes to beat Western Reserve – including the clinching free throws in the closing seconds – and Brady O’Connell (Bedford, N.H.) continued his strong start to the season, scoring 17 points on three 3-pointers against Sunrise while providing his typically stout defense.
3. New Hampton (2-3)
Previous ranking: 2
Next game: vs. Vermont Academy, Dec. 3, 3:30 p.m.
The Huskies lost twice at the National Prep Showcase – 81-63 to IMG and 75-70 to Mount Zion – as they struggled to shoot from outside and match physicality. But head coach Andrew Gale will chalk up the experience as a valuable growth opportunity for his young team. Chad Cook continued his strong start, Edison Onwe had important growth and the Huskies showed great resilience vs. Mount Zion, trailing by 21 at halftime and making a valiant second-half comeback.
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4. St. Thomas More (5-1)
Previous ranking: 4
Next game: vs. West Point Prep, Dec. 4, 6 p.m.
The Chancellors had one of the best wins of the weekend at the National Prep Showcase, clawing back from a double-digit halftime deficit to beat Western Reserve on DJ Hawkins’ (Farmington, Conn.) game-winning, buzzer-beating 3-pointer. It’s possible they didn’t have the legs the next day in a 99-79 loss to Link Academy. There’s great promise with this team, which is full of talented 2027 players, but it needs more seasoning and maturity.
5. Vermont Academy (3-2)
Previous ranking: 5
Next game: at New Hampton, Dec. 3, 3:30 p.m.
The Wildcats were terrific in a 75-56 win over Massanutten on Friday at the National Prep Showcase before a Sunday loss to Blair Academy, one of the best prep teams in the country that overwhelms opponents with its size and length. But head coach John Zall should feel good about several of his pieces. Kamari Whyte impressed again, Mamadou Camara opened eyes with 14 points and five assists vs. Massanutten and Mike Bradley Jr. picked up a scholarship offer from La Salle for a strong performance.
6. Winchendon (3-0)
Previous ranking: 8
Next game: at Northfield Mount Hermon, Dec. 3, 3 p.m.
The Wapiti get a bump for their current form after winning their first three games by double digits over Worcester Academy, MacDuffie and Wilbraham & Monson. They weren’t their sharpest vs. Wilbraham, but still won by 12 and held the Titans to 50 points. They put up 94 vs. MacDuffie without star Brady Sehlhorst, who was out sick. Alex Popp’s squad is deep, talented and relentless. In my eyes, they’re clearly the second-best team in Class AA, and I think they’re capable of giving Cushing a run for its money.
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7. Darrow (1-4)
Previous ranking: 6
Next game: at Blair Academy, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.
The Ducks grabbed their first win of the season on Saturday at home with a dominant 98-76 victory over Spire, with Haisi Mayben pacing them with 20 points. They dropped the finale of the National Prep Showcase, 75-58, to the Academy of Central Florida, but there were still some promising signs. Big man Will Carty (Watertown, Mass.) had 12 points and was impactful defensively vs. Spire, and Nalajah Christopher showcased his two-way impact, including five deflections vs. Spire. Antonio Anderson’s crew will hope to get healthy during the break after TJ Allen (Watertown, Mass.) and JJ Martinez went down with injuries, and Mayben hurt his hip.
8. Kimball Union (1-0)
Previous ranking: 7
Next game: vs. Cheshire, Dec. 6, 12 p.m. (at ZG Prep Classic)
The Wildcats had to grind out a back and forth, physical game vs. Albany Academy – which beat MacDuffie last week – in a season-opening home victory, but Cory McClure’s group won’t apologize for any victory in Class AA. Hudson Scroggins was outstanding in his NEPSAC debut with 34 points, and Zach Romich had ice in his veins with two game-sealing free throws in the final seconds.
9. Bridgton (3-2)
Previous ranking: 9
Next game: vs. Williston Northampton, Dec. 6, 1:40 p.m. (at ZG Prep Classic)
The Wolverines lost their first two games of the season at the National Prep Showcase, with defeats to Academy of Central Florida and IMG Academy. UMass commit Cheick Sylla looked strong against IMG with 19 points on 9-for-12 shooting to go with nine rebounds.
10. MacDuffie (1-2)
Previous ranking: NR
Next game: at Wilbraham & Monson, Dec. 3, 4 p.m.
Despite losing their first two games last week, the Mustangs return to the Top 10 following a character win over Northfield Mount Hermon on Sunday. MacDuffie lost an emotional late-night game on Friday night to Winchendon – falling by 12 after a four-point deficit with 90 seconds to go – and head coach Kurt Steiner was proud of his team’s mental toughness to come back to NMH on short rest the next day and win convincingly. The shorthanded Mustangs are hoping to have Patrick Sagna and Johnny Bol back soon, and they could use them. They return from the break with a brutal Class AA stretch at Wilbraham before facing Cushing and Lawrence Academy at the Zero Gravity Prep Classic.
The next five: Lawrence Academy, Northfield Mount Hermon, Wilbraham & Monson, Albany Academy, Mount St. Charles
