2025-26 AAA Postseason Kicks Off Today

Elias Benaka | Wednesday, March 4th, 2026

With the ending of the NEPSAC regular season yesterday, it is time to look towards the playoffs this week and the National Prep Championship the week after.

To get you ready for the AAA championship race, here is a glimpse into each team and some key contributors to look out for over the next two weeks.

The Field

Newman has dominated all season, compiling a record of 31-3 including a 13-1 mark in AAA play. They have wins against Cushing at the TD Garden and in the NEBL championship. They also beat Southeastern Prep at the prestigious HoopHall Classic. Jackson Johnson has a roster loaded with Division 1 talent and they are looking to end the regular season strong as they prepare for post season play.

The Cardinals are led by McDonald's All-American and Michigan commit Quinn Costello, an elite three level scorer who impacts the game on both ends of the floor. Illinois commit Lucas Morillo complements him well, with his size, strength, and skill to generate scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates.

The depth of their roster is just as important. Princeton commit Louis O’Keefe is a high IQ point guard who makes winning plays, Brown commit Timmy Bollin brings energy, confidence, and toughness while Columbia commit Atticus Richmond adds size and soft touch in the post. Penn commit Chase Geremia is an elite sharpshooter from beyond the arc. Off the bench they are fueled by 2027’s Jaylen Hunter-Coleman and Preston Bollin. Newman has finished as the 1 seed and will host South Kent in the first round of the NEPSAC playoffs.

Vermont Academy and Head Coach John Zall have been competitive as always this season, finishing 19-12 overall and 8-6 in AAA play. They have a good mix of juniors and seniors that have led them to wins against St. Thomas More and Bridgton while playing close, competitive games with Brewster Academy’s EYBL team and Newman.

They’re led by 2027 Kamari Whyte, a natural scorer with a strong frame who has already drawn significant Division 1 interest. Mamadou Camara (2027) and Abe Camara (2026) have added versatility and skill to the lineup, while Musa Kasanga will head to WPI next year after he finishes his season strong.

Rokas Zilys is a knockdown shooter in the senior class who plays with high intensity on the defensive end. In the front court, the pair of juniors, Michael Bradley and Trey Ambrozich add nice size and soft touch around the rim. They enter the playoffs as the 2 seed and will face Darrow in the opening round at home.

After graduating several seniors who are now making an impact at the Division 1 level, Head Coach Gere Quinn has reloaded his St. Thomas More squad and positioned the program right back in AAA championship contention. They currently sit at a 26-10 overall record and are 8-6 in AAA play as the regular season comes to an end.

They are fueled by a great group of juniors, supported by veterans who have helped build the chemistry of the team. Patrick Otey, back in New England after a brief stint with OTE, has emerged as one of the best players in Connecticut. He can hit contested shots and moves around the floor well both on and off the ball. DJ Hawkins is in his second year with the program and has grown as a player immensely during this time, and proven himself in clutch moments.

Also joining the chancellors this year was Greyson Pierce, who has made an immediate impact since getting on campus. The backcourt features 2026 Johnny Kennan, as well as 2027’s Dillion Callahan and Bentley Shelton. In the front court, 2026’s Josh Okoduwa and Kur Anyang control the paint. Though young, this team has the talent to contend for an AAA championship. They will host Hoosac in the first round on Wednesday.

After graduating an unforgettable trio last year, New Hampton has compiled an 18-16 record, including a 7-7 mark in AAA play. Andrew Gale has assembled a good mix of guys from around the country while also retaining key contributors from last season. This season has been highlighted by a dominant win over Bridgton and a one-point, hard-fought loss to Brewster Academy’s EYBL team.

In the post, Richmond commit Chad Cook rebounds at a high level and finishes with a soft touch around the rim. Unsigned guard Jayden Harrington was a steady contributor off the bench in recent years, but this season he has embraced a bigger role and produced more for the Huskies.

The roster also features 2027 standout Stetson Merritt, an elite three-level scorer, alongside Maine commit Wesley Waddles. Louisiana Tech commit James Sanderson brings speed and playmaking ability, while unsigned forward Edison Onwe is a strong complement on the wing. They also have 2029 wing Brandyn Clark, who has intriguing long-term upside for the program. They will host the Wolverines this Wednesday in a Maine vs New Hampshire battle.

The sudden passing of legendary head coach Whit Lesure sent shockwaves through the basketball world and deeply impacted the Bridgton community. Acting head coach Greg Hill has stepped in with steady leadership and helped uphold the standards that Whit established. They are 7-7 in AAA play and 16-14 overall, highlighted by a win against Newman at the end of January.

The duo of unsigned Canadian guard Colton Crowdis and UMass commit Cheick Sylla gives Bridgton multiple options on the offensive end. Crowdis’s tight handle and natural scoring ability have helped him make a name for himself, while Sylla has continued to dominate in the paint on both ends of the floor.

Other key players are Ngor Agu, who brings athleticism and IQ. Nabiyoulahi Diakite can finish around the rim at a high level from the wing spot. Nafees Padgett is a big guard who can knock down the three-ball consistently, and Oliver Allerstead helps anchor the defense. Bridgton has made a push despite tough circumstances, but they are hungry to bring home an AAA championship. They will travel to New Hampton to take on the Huskies in the first round.

Since Hoosac’s inaugural AAA season in 2018, they have consistently produced Division 1 talent, and coach Nemo Maric has continued this tradition with his emphasis on development. After a tough start with close losses, they picked up stride halfway through the season, earning key wins over New Hampton, Bridgton, and Vermont Academy. They finish the regular season 11-21 and 7-8 in AAA play.

One standout for Hoosac has been Konstantin Latincic, a 6’2” Senior guard who excels at attacking the rim and making smart decisions with the ball in his hand. His ability to crash the offensive glass has been notable over the years. Dusan Eric has been a notable player for Hoosac this season, as well as a stretch forward with Division I looks.

Another standout for them has been 2027 Gian Mesias, who can play make and finish well with his size through contact at the guard position. On the wing, fellow 2027 Maccabee Katz has consistently been able to get to his spots and hit contested jumpers. They will travel to Connecticut for a first-round battle with St. Thomas More.

Darrow has been in good hands the past few seasons with Antonio Anderson at the helm, and this year was no different. They finished 12-17 overall and 4-10 in AAA play. They played in many high-level, close games against some of the top prep teams, and arguably the toughest schedule in the field. They will make the trip to Vermont as the 7th seed and look to continue their season.

The Darrow Ducks are led by Mercyhurst commit Hunter Te Ratana and unsigned guard Haisi Mayben, who provide leadership and energy to the Ducks on both ends of the floor. Jack Seiders is an unsigned forward who has been receiving D1 interest.

Juniors Nalajah Christopher and Benjamin Van Bulck complement each other well, with Christopher's polished guard skills and Van Bulck with his crafty finishing ability. Looking ahead, 2028 prospects TJ Allen and Cooper Te Ratana continue to develop and help strengthen the program's future.

For South Kent and Head Coach Craig Carter, his young team has made significant strides and picked up some good wins in the second half of the season. The team finished with a 5-20 record and were 3-11 in AAA play. They picked up some notable wins against Darrow, Bridgton, and Newman. They will travel to Boston to play Newman in the first round of the playoffs.

Christopher Birden has been a dominant force for the Cardinals over the past two seasons, and this year was no exception. At 6’10”, he can get to his spots for jumpers and create space in the post for easy layups. Other notable players are Bryce Bennett and Shaun Stinson in the Senior class. For juniors, they have Grant McDuffie, Kareem Hopkins, Zachary Walker, and Begad Ibrahim. Michael Parris is a Sophomore with a ton of upside as well.

The bracket is set and teams are starting to figure out matchups and gameplans for the upcoming week. It starts on Wednesday with the schedule as follows: