The NEPSAC boys basketball season doesn’t start for another six months. But we’re inching closer to the first preview of the 2026-27 season.
The NEPSAC Scholastic Showcases – annually one of the biggest events on the New England prep calendar – are next month, with the first one coming June 12-14 and the second one coming two weekends later from June 26-28. Both showcases will be at Worcester Academy and come during live periods, meaning Div. 1 coaches will be in the house.
The showcases will give us a first look at many of the newcomers to NEPSAC basketball. There’s exciting talent from state associations like the CIAC, MIAA and even locations from outside the region who are set to join the highest level league of prep basketball in New England, and the June showcases are a chance for them to get their feet wet.
On Thursday, we looked at 15 guards ready to make their NEPSAC debuts. Now, we move on to the frontcourt. Here are 11 wings and forwards hopeful to make their mark in New England.
Larry Brown, MacDuffie
Class of 2027, 6-7 wing
Hometown: Coatesville, Pa.
An athletic forward who can play inside and out, Brown surpassed 1,000 career points and helped his former high school, Coatesville, win three consecutive league championships. He should fit in nicely in a promising MacDuffie frontcourt that also includes returners Andrew Adegbite, Johnny Bol, Jackson Lockett and Xavier McCall.
Ben Cormier, Proctor
Class of 2027, 6-8 forward
Hometown: Newburyport, Mass.
The former Newburyport star is a true stretch big who can score at all three levels, a confident 3-point shooter who can handle it and make plays off the bounce while also providing great rim protection. He’s doing a postgraduate season at Proctor and should be an impact player in Class B Large.
Timmy Dennis, Choate
Class of 2027, 6-9 forward
Hometown: Newtown Square, Pa.
Dennis averaged 15.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game at Episcopal Academy in Pennsylvania while showing a capable 3-point stroke with 25 made triples. His size, shotmaking ability and versatility should give him Div. 1 looks.
Oli Higgins, Newman
Class of 2029, 6-9 forward
Hometown: Brewer, Maine
Higgins was a member of our initial 2028 watch list before his late April announcement to join the defending Class AAA and national prep champions and reclassify to 2029. The skilled forward averaged 15.8 points, 13.1 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game in his sophomore year at Brewer High School, and the sky is the limit as he continues to develop and add strength.
NEPSAC NEWCOMERS: 15 guards set to make prep debut
Tadhg Howard, Thayer
Class of 2030, 6-6 wing
Hometown: Canton, Mass.
An impactful two-way wing, Howard is enjoying a strong grassroots season with the Middlesex Magic’s top 15U team. He led the team in points while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range and recording 12 blocks in four games in the first Under Armour circuit weekend.
Kai Johnson, Worcester Academy
Class of 2027, 6-7 forward
Hometown: Frisco, Tx.
Johnson has a bunch of impactful tools as an athletic, versatile forward with three-level scoring and playmaking ability who can also protect the rim. He should fit in nicely alongside an already dynamic frontcourt that includes the high-flying Cole Blackburn.
Wyatt Klein, Winchendon
Class of 2027, 6-6 forward
Hometown: Arlington, Va.
Winchendon coach Alex Popp loves versatile forwards, and Klein fits the bill as a stretch forward who can hit consistently from outside, make smart passes and bring a motor to the glass. He’s joining the Wapiti as a postgraduate after finishing his high school career at Bishop Ireton in Virginia.
JJ Osinski, Albany Academy
Class of 2027, 6-5 wing
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Osinski averaged 22 points, seven rebounds and two steals per game while shooting 38 percent from 3-point range as he led Christian Brothers Academy to an undefeated season in New York Class AAA and took home MVP honors. A three-level scorer, high-level rebounder and versatile defender, Osinski looks like he could be one of the best newcomers in NEPSAC Class AA.
Alden Poage, Rivers
Class of 2030, 6-7 forward
Hometown: Arlington, Mass.
Poage enjoyed a standout freshman season in the MIAA with Arlington Catholic and is another building block for new head coach Jacob Werrick at Rivers. He’s a confident knockdown shooter who can make plays off the bounce, finish well around the rim and bring rim protection. He plays AAU with Team New England.
Rayan Taku, Tabor
Class of 2029, 6-6 wing
Hometown: Salem, Mass.
A member of our initial 15-player 2029 watch list, Taku had a strong freshman season at Malden Catholic and should now be a critical piece of a strong young core at Tabor. He has three-level scoring ability, but his physicality and athleticism stand out as separators.
Brennan Williams, New Hampton
Class of 2027, 6-7 wing
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
With multiple frontcourt departures, including Chad Cook and Wesley Waddles, Williams should give the Huskies physicality, athleticism and a strong rebounding presence. He’s playing AAU this spring and summer with BTI Basketball Club and should be on the Div. 1 radar.
