A Surprise Leader atop Class B
Monday begins the last full week of regular season basketball in the NEPSAC which means it is almost tournament time where the top prep school teams in New England will be crowned. Headed into the Class “B” tournament things haven’t shaken out as many predicted before the year started as some of the pre-season favorites are in jeopardy of not even making the 8 team field.
One team that will have no problem qualifying for the tournament is Kimball Union Academy from Meriden, New Hampshire. KUA is a school that many people may not have heard of before this season but after defeating the likes of St. Andrew’s, Proctor Academy, and Tilton en route to a 17-5 overall record, this team has proved itself time and time again this year.
KUA is led by 6’5 senior forward Brian Tracey (pictured above) who has really made a name for himself this season and is generating recruiting interest from programs in the NE-10 Conference. Tracey is an athletic and strong player who can put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways both on the interior and perimeter.
Tracey’s supporting cast includes his brother Matt, 6’3 swingman Beau Bonness, and 5’10 sophomore point guard Cam Sutton. Bonness mentions Brandeis as one of the schools actively pursuing him while Sutton is a player who is bound to generate a lot of buzz in the next two years. Meanwhile, Matt has the skills to play college basketball but is expected to focus his attention on football.
On Saturday the foursome led KUA to a 53-46 victory at Belmont Hills. Sutton set the tone early by breaking his man down off the dribble and finishing at the rim. It didn’t take long before the brothers got into the act as Brian’s three-point shot began to drop and Matt established his presence under the basket. Bonness struggled with his shot in the first half but snapped out of it in the second, knocking down consecutive three-pointers including making his second attempt while being fouled. But with KUA the whole is definitely greater then the sum of the parts as they work extremely well together and run their offense almost to perfection.
This week KUA faces a tough challenge in a young and talented Cushing Academy team featuring another pair of brothers in the Presseys along with the interior tandem of 6’5 freshmen forward Ron Giplaye and 6’6 sophomore center Kevin Barr. Following that game KUA will conclude their regular season against Williston Northampton on Saturday.
Then comes the tournament where whichever team gets through the field will have to win three tough games. In an interesting sub plot if KUA hopes to cut down the nets they might run into a St. Andrew’s team that is likely eager for some payback after falling to KUA in overtime during the Tilton/Proctor Christmas Tournament.
No matter what the match-ups it is sure to be an exciting two weeks of basketball on the New England Prep School scene.
Ron Giplaye
Kevin Barr
Cam Sutton
Beau Bonness
Brian Tracey