2025 Prep Profile: Cushing

Monday, November 3rd, 2025

Cushing Academy looks to pick back up where they left off last season, entering this winter as the current favorite to win AA of the NEPSAC. 

In the 2024-25 season, the Penguins saw immense success, finishing as the #1 seed in regular season play in AA, capturing the NEBL title, and coming within seconds of a berth in the National Prep Championship game. 

With an influx of high-level talent joining the core in place, James Cormier's Penguins will be a must-see team this winter. 

The Returners

It all starts with Ryan Moesch. The point guard out of Central New York may be the hardest defensive assignment in prep school basketball. He’s as shifty as they come, scores the ball at will, and sets the table for others to get theirs as well. When Moesch is on, Cushing is in good hands. 

Theo Edema has continued his upward ascension and will once again be a notable threat in the front court for Cushing. The big junior from Nigeria has tons more upside to channel, but his current abilities to pressure the rim, rebound the ball, and protect the paint defensively are game-changing. 

Elliot Erickson returns as a true junior who has played a major role in his two years within the program. A 6’6 wing from the local area, Erickson’s switchability on the defensive end is key while he also can space the floor as a shooting threat. 

Coley Mark, another high upside big man, returns to the Penguins for his junior season. Forming a “twin-tower” duo with Edema, Mark’s talent comes as a seven-foot floor-stretching shooter. With a solid foundation of post playmaking and developing physically to get strong inside, Mark is certainly one to keep an eye on. 

David Flores John and Brady O’Connell join Moesch as returners in the class of 2026. 

Flores John brings a unique skillset as a 6’6 wing that can float around, playing different positions and make an impact. He’s a strong shooting threat that plays well as an off-ball scorer. 

O’Connell is one of the top defenders on the team, making his presence felt with his toughness and physicality on that end of the floor. The senior makes plays inside as a slasher and is another shooter that defenses have to be wary of. 

The Newcomers

Cushing brought in some intriguing pieces across the classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028. Anthony Vick and Jack Hynes are two names we’ve come to know for their standout play in the area beforehand, while Nate Blenman, Jake Nosek, Mikey Chiara and Ian Gesner join the team from out of New England. 

Vick will be expected to contribute a lot as a scoring guard for the team. A 6’4” guard who has multiple division one offers in hand, the Boston native changes the game with his natural off the dribble scoring ability. 

Hynes made a name for himself in the ISL at Roxbury Latin over the years and comes to Cushing for a postgraduate year. The 6’6 wing possesses multi-level scoring ability while being yet another piece that can play different positions for the team. 

Jake Nosek is a big wing joining the team as a postgraduate from Illinois. In hjs June outings at the scholastic live periods, he showed off his outside shooting and solid use of his length as a transition finisher. 

Nate Blenman overcame what looked like a very painful injury this spring and is starting to get recognized. A big 6’8 forward, Blenman can shoot the ball at a highly efficient rate from outside, while getting down and dirty as a rebounder and finisher inside. His physical development will be key in his two years at Cushing. 

Mikey Chiara and Ian Gesner are the two sophomores on the squad who will be eased in, but certainly have the upside to make note of as 6’4 big guards. 

Defining Characteristics

Cushing’s depth is something that will allow them to really go at it at the national level this winter. They’ve got two seven-footers, multiple guards who can score the ball left and right, and many positionless defenders. At the AA level, this is going to be an upper hand for them, and it will be interesting to see how it plays out against AAA/National teams. 

Ryan Moesch is the driving force behind Cushing. With his ability to consistently create space with his handle/speed and multiple big men and forwards to set screens, Cushing’s offense is going to be tough to stop. 

The Bottom Line

James Cormier is going to have his guys ready to go right away as the season looms in the near future. Coming off a very impressive season, can they take it to the next level and bring home an AA title and make it to the National Prep Championship?

We don’t know quite yet, but we will definitely be tuned in.