STOUGHTON, Mass. — As I was sifting through my standouts from the Zero Gravity Prep Classic, one takeaway jumped out at me: Most of them came from the 2027 class, and maybe more than I expected.
But it made sense. The members of that class are now juniors, many of them with two years of NEPSAC experience under their belt. Now as upperclassmen with a big recruiting year ahead, it’s their time to take a significant leap in their development and production.
Several of them started their junior campaigns strong at the ZG Prep Classic. These standouts were highlighted by game-winning performances and monster stat lines throughout the weekend.
Here are 10 standouts from the 2027 class who shined at the Prep Classic.
PREP CLASSIC: 10 takeaways | 8 uncommited 2026 standouts
Josiah Adamson, CATS Academy
6-3 guard
Hometown: Boston, Mass.
Adamson had a difficult adjustment period in his first season with CATS last year, but after a promising summer with Expressions, the strong 6-foot-3 guard is showing why he’s one of his class’ most exciting talents. He was terrific at NEBL’s opening weekend last month, and it’s carrying over. He scored 31 points in CATS EYBL’s win over Diamond Doves OTE; the performance included four 3-pointers on a mixture of off-the-dribble and catch-and-shoot makes, with one coming on a side-step pull-up. We already know Adamson can get downhill and put pressure on the rim , but he continues to look confident in his outside shooting and his ability to read the game. Adamson certainly plays with a competitive and fiery edge to him, and isn’t afraid to talk a little smack, too. I like that as long as he channels it all the right way.
Malik Adamson, Dexter Southfield
5-11 guard
Hometown: Dorchester, Mass.
Adamson is a powerful guard who can bulldoze his way to the hoop for points and has even developed a post game with his strength and physicality, but watching him over three games last week, he seems to be playing even more fluidly and more confidently. Alongside teammate Lateef Afolabi, he led a spirited comeback as Dexter overcame a five-point deficit in the final 90 seconds to beat Choate. His contributions included an important tip steal that led to a bucket before he delivered one of the best moments of the weekend. Tied with under 20 seconds remaining, Adamson pulled up from the left wing and drilled a game-winning 3-pointer. The confidence in his outside shot continues to get better; it’s a shot he probably wouldn’t have taken a year ago.
Solis Blue, St. Sebastian’s
6-1 guard
Hometown: Milton, Mass.
After a promising sophomore campaign, Blue is stepping into an even bigger role after the departure of TJ Allen to Darrow; he looks ready for it after a 32-point, four-assist performance to lead St. Sebastian’s over Proctor. Blue has always been bouncy, twitchy and super athletic, but he’s added muscle, looks stronger and is moving more efficiently. He’s continuing to get better in all facets, most notably in his decision-making and being in control.
STARS OF THE WEEK: 10 prep standouts from Dec. 1-7
Spencer Booth, Milton Academy
6-10 center
Hometown: Scarborough, Maine
When I spoke to Milton coach Lamar Reddicks in the preseason, he expressed excitement about Booth’s growth and gave this line that I loved: “Last year he was just trying to survive; this year he’s going to thrive.” We saw it in Milton’s season-opening win over Governor’s, when he scored 22 points with 10 rebounds and two blocks. His game has remarkably improved, especially in the post with his footwork and ability to score and make moves over both shoulders. Reddicks has enjoyed great success in his time at Milton with legitimate post threats, and Booth fits that bill. He should make a big difference for the Mustangs in their Class A title chase.
Jabari Edmonds, Phillips Academy Andover
6-5 forward
Hometown: Providence, R.I.
After an injury sidelined him last season, Edmonds is fully healthy and looks like a force to be reckoned with in Class A this season. He scored 20 points, including eight free throws, in Andover’s big win over Northfield Mount Hermon before adding 18 points and eight boards in a victory the next day over Rivers. Edmonds was relentless near the basket with tough rebounds, putbacks and finishing through contact with emotional three-point plays. He holds an offer from FIU.
CJ Farrell, St. Mark’s
6-1 guard
Hometown: Milford, Mass.
So … don’t leave Farrell open beyond the arc. He’ll make you pay. The marksman caught fire for four 3-pointers in the first half en route to his 19 points as St. Mark’s blew out St. Luke’s, and he added 17 in the Lions’ loss to St. Andrew’s. Whenever you looked up, Farrell was making a play. He also collected nine assists and 11 steals combined in the two games as he played with consistent pace and energy on both ends of the floor. After nursing a brief injury from a standout football season at St. Mark’s, Farrell looks ready for a breakout junior year.
Michael McNamara, Thayer
6-8 forward
Hometown: Needham, Mass.
After a promising sophomore season, I’m seeing signs that it’s starting to come together for McNamara. He scored 27 points, including five 3-pointers, in Thayer’s opening win over Suffield, and he played with notable confidence, physicality and assertiveness in my eyes. He scored the game’s first eight points, and he couldn’t seem to miss from downtown. He got a friendly roll on a straightaway triple out of a good pick and roll, and moments later, an offensive scramble resulted in a wild turnaround 3-pointer as the shot clock buzzer expired. The next day, his 18-point performance in a win over Kent included a loud slam out of the post and a pivotal putback bucket in the final minutes after Kent had momentum in a comeback bid. He made an impact defensively on the interior and got to the free throw line throughout the weekend, too. I’m excited for McNamara’s continued development this winter.
Patrick Otey, St. Thomas More
6-5 guard
Hometown: Westwood, Mass.
The Chancellors trailed by nine to St. Jude’s early in the second half when Otey took the game into his own hands. He hit a pair of 3-pointers during a stretch in which St. Thomas More ultimately took the lead, but for all his offensive ability and talent, it was good to see he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. He grabbed three tough rebounds, including one on the offensive glass that resulted in a bucket, and he was noticeably active on the defensive end, where the Chancellors are trying to get more out of him. He also had a pretty drive and dish to David Smith for a corner 3 that exemplified how fluid he is offensively and his advanced feel. He finished the win with 22 points, eight rebounds and three dimes.
Ladanion Payne, Brimmer & May
6-1 guard
Hometown: Mattapan, Mass.
Payne might have been the biggest winner of the week with a pair of electric performances in wins over Rivers and CATS Academy EYBL, putting up 23 points, six rebounds and four assists and then 20 points, six rebounds and three assists. He was just making plays everywhere, getting to the rim at will, hitting shots, finding teammates and being the reliable floor leader and engine of the offense. It felt like he was just unstoppable; he made one play against Rivers where he was being pulled down by his neck in mid-air and still finished the three-point play as he went tumbling to the floor.
Payne also took significant steps as a leader last week. As I wrote in my Prep Classic takeaways, Payne made a phone call to former Brimmer standouts Andre Mills and Kyrell Luc, who reinforced the importance of trusting himself. And during some heated moments against CATS, Payne was the one keeping his team together on the sideline.
“(Mills and Luc) told him, trust yourself,” Brimmer coach Tom Nelson said. “Play hard on both ends of the floor, and be that person and don’t be afraid to fail. Just play hard and let your talents see through. You saw a more confident kid who was willing to put himself out there and let the world see he’s talented. That’s what I saw different, just his mentality toward the game, like I’m not going to be afraid, I’m not going to lose confidence even if I miss a shot or I don’t make the right play or I turn the ball over or miss a defensive assignment or rotation. I’m just going to acknowledge it, accept it and then make the next play for my team.”
Jonathan White Jr., BB&N
5-9 guard
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.
I caught the end of BB&N’s thrilling 70-69 victory over Phillips Exeter, when White made a bunch of winning plays to seal it. He stopped on a dime for an impressive turnaround mid-range jumper to put BB&N up eight with two minutes to go, and after Exeter made a comeback to tie it, it was White who forced his way into the lane to draw a foul, made both free throws, then grabbed a steal after Exeter’s ensuing miss and made a pair of free throws with 3.6 seconds remaining to clinch it. White finished with 29 points and a whopping nine steals in the victory. He was one of the best dribblers I saw during the weekend; he has the ball on a string and demonstrated a crafty handle, quick burst and change of direction that makes him hard to keep up with. Even at 5-foot-9, he’s attracting Division 1 interest.
