Class B Prep Profile 〈Part 2 - West〉

Owen Carlson | Thursday, February 8th, 2024

Class B of the NEPSAC has been full of competitive and exciting matchups, as anticipated heading into the season. With the month of February underway and the final stretch of the season in sight, we thought it would be fitting to run through the current landscape. Finishing with schools in the western half of New England, let's check in on some others in the class.

CANTERBURY (13-5)

Canterbury has had an excellent season so far, with big wins coming against Taft, Berkshire, Avon, Trinity-Pawling, Millbrook, Pomfret, and more. Just to give a sense of the level at which this team can compete: they only lost by 2 to AAA power Hoosac, who has defeated two different #1-nationally ranked teams so far this season. 

Of the 2024s, FDU-commit Raysean Johnson is the first who comes to mind, as the elite guard dropped 22 in a battle with AAA power Hoosac at the BasketBull HoopsFest. 6’6” power-guard Shane Cercone is also a big name in this class, earning standout honors at the Scholar Roundball Classic after scoring 17 and grabbing 8 boards in a win over Suffield. He has received an offer from Albany. Another 2024 of note is 6 '6 " forward Christian Jeffers, who had a near double-double with 9 points and 9 rebounds in the tough battle with Hoosac. 

When it comes to the 2025s, 6’8” forward Andreo Ash is the first name you should know. He earned standout honors at the Scholar Roundball Classic after dropping 26 points with 6 boards in the win over Suffield. Ash can get it going in a hurry offensively and uses his body well on the glass. He has received offers from Stony Brook, Seton Hall, and Bryant. Another notable 2025 is point guard David Dix, who scored 11 in the battle with Canada Topflight and dished 5 assists in the battle with Hoosac. He has received an offer from NJIT.

It still doesn’t end there, as Jared Strand is a 6’5” athletic guard/wing out of the class of 2026 who has also made some noise, consistently showing versatility on both ends of the floor. This will be a fun team to follow as we approach the postseason, as they fell to reigning champs and class-favorite Rivers by only 7 in a full-game battle. 

KINGSWOOD OXFORD (12-6)

This is another squad who looks like they could be poised to make a run for the Class-B finals, with big wins against Pingree, Pomfret and more. 

Chuck Hare is the first name to know from this squad’s class of 2024, as the 6’11” center has already announced his college commitment to Holy Cross. He recently put on a double-double performance in a close win over Pomfret. Hare is known for his post-play and soft hands around the basket. 

Other 2024s of note include guard Rhandyn Bair, a knockdown shooter and Odin Malz who has been in contact with a number of D3’s.

Outside of the 2024s, we jump down to the 2026s to highlight 6’2” guard DJ Biggins. A name everyone should know, Biggins is known for his shifty handle and scoring power as he dropped 37 in a win recently, and earned MVP of the KO Invitational Tournament. Another notable 2026 is lengthy wing Declan Griffiths, who’s known for his long-range shooting, defensive impact and rebounding abilities. The Wyverns can’t be counted out in the postseason. 

MILLBROOK (12-6)

This team is another in the top tier of Class-B, as they have had a great season so far. Big wins have come against Pomfret, Hotchkiss, Berkshire, and more. They fell to Canterbury recently, but the teams will face off again this Monday.

The 2024s are highlighted by Tufts-commit 6’5” shooting guard Isaac Friedman, who tallied 18 points and 6 rebounds on 6/9 in a win over Greenwich Country Day, and George Washington-commit 6’3” combo guard Mark Ostad, who scored 15 on 6/8 in a win over Gunn, as well as uncommitted 6’2” guard Chris Torres, who dropped 20 with 7 boards in a big win over Berkshire. 

However, their biggest names might be coming out of the class of 2025, as 6’8” wing Zoumana Traore has been turning heads all season long. He dropped 26 points in a double-double performance against GCDS, and efficiently dropped 29 against St. Luke’s on 13/16 shooting. Traore has high-upside as his facilitating, handling and fluidity at his size have earned him D1 buzz.

Another name to know in Millbrook’s class of 2025 is Amadou Fall. The 6’10” big dropped 14 in the win over Gunn, grabbed 13 boards in the win over Berkshire, and also tallied a whopping 11 blocks in the win over Pomfret. Yet another elite prospect to know in this class is 6’2” sharp-shooting point guard Chase Garcia who’s had some high-scoring games.

Finishing with the class of 2026, one name definitely worth tracking over the years is Hezekiah “Hezi” McCoy. The 6’3” freak-athlete guard has consistently found ways to contribute on both ends of the floor when they’ve needed him most, adding 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals in the win over Berkshire. This is definitely a team to follow as we approach the postseason.

POMFRET (10-6)

This squad is not one to count out, as they have already had some big wins this season, including against IMG (National Spotlight), Canada Topflight, Williston Northampton, and more. They’ve also proven that they can go toe-to-toe with just about anyone, falling by only single digits to a handful of regional powers.

Of the 2024s, Citadel-commit Eze Wali is the first to know, as the elite guard dropped 29 with 5 rebounds and 3 steals in a big win over Newman’s Prep team. Wali is a super athletic guard with a high motor, polished offensive skills and a tough defender. Another 2024 of note is 6’3” guard Isaac Aguilar, who added 14 in the win over Newman’s Prep team.

When it comes to the 2025s, Nehemiah Franco is the first to know, as the forward dropped 20 in the win over Canada Topflight and can really light it up from long-range. However, it doesn’t end there with this team’s class of 2025, as the guard duo of Kevin Clarke and Yusuf Dakane has impressed with Clarke knocking down shots and Dakane making winning plays on both ends.

There’s still more, as this squad’s class of 2026 is worth highlighting. Guard Omar Robinson added 12 points and 7 rebounds in the win over Canada Topflight, as well as 11 points and 4 rebounds with a pair of steals in the win over Newman’s second team. This will be a team worth keeping an eye on as we move toward the playoffs.

ON THE BUBBLE:

A few teams from the West currently sit just outside the group eligible for the playoffs if the season were to end at the time of this article’s writing.

New York Military Academy (6-6) has had a solid season so far, with a big statement win just recently over Springfield Commonwealth (National). 2024 6’4” guard Azeir McClain has shown off his scoring prowess with outings of 40 and 31 points respectively. 2024 6’5” guard Jason Robinson has been another leader on this squad as he uses his change of pace to get to the basket, can score in bunches and gets others involved.  

Other “first few out” teams from the West include Greenwich Country Day and Marianapolis Prep. Greenwich looks poised to make a run for the Fairchester Athletic Association Championship led by the duo of Taj Walters and Mekai Brown, and Marianapolis has gotten some big wins, most notably coming over Brooks. Endicott-commit Sidney Hall has taken his energetic scoring punch to another level this year and has been a huge part in their success.

Westminster combo guard Chris Powell has had a number of big games, putting his offensive arsenal on full display, while Jayden Reid continues to stand out with his length/fluidity combo as a versatile forward. Both have a handful of Division one offers and have earned some national attention. 

While the average Class-B team might not be quite on the same level as the average Class-A, Class-AA, and Class-AAA teams, the top handful of teams have proven that they can compete with the likes of just about any. 

While there are surely countless names worth getting to know from this class who are not mentioned, that about wraps up this round of prep profiles…