NEPSAC Class A Preview Part One

Friday, December 30th, 2022

After previewing Class AA of the NEPSAC recently, we will begin profiling the Class A programs. 

Phillips Academy - Andover: Head Coach Terrell Ivory’s squad is led by Campbell commit Colby Duggan. The forward is an inside/out scoring threat who also passes well for his size. 2024 guard Isaiah Harris will be taking on a bigger role this year. He uses his well-built frame to impact the game at both ends. 2024 prospect Robbie Nyamwaya will help out Duggan in the frontcourt. He is a high motored big man with finishing touch and rebounding ability. An intriguing post-grad on this squad is Dylan Bronner. The forward has 6’5 size, can hit standstill three-pointers, and guard multiple positions. Three other names who should contribute are Keenan Sparks, Diego Velez, and Xavier Abreu.​​ The guard trio will add different dimensions to this squad with Sparks’ ability to score in different ways, Velez’s tenacity on the defensive end, and Abreu’s half-court playmaking. 

Berkshire Academy: A pair of NESCAC commits Matt Devine and Kameran Rodriguez headline this team. Devine, a wing headed to Williams, provides a lot of gravity as a shooter, and Rodriguez, a guard on his way to Colby, will handle the primary playmaking duties. Connor Hanavan is back. The 2023 guard is a terrific shooter from beyond the arc to go with having good intellect defensively. His brother Devon in the class of 2025 has joined the team as well. Another newcomer is 2024 big man Omar Kulenovic. The Bosnian import can score on the block or hit three-pointers when spotting up. Chicago native Atticus Richmond is an intriguing 2025 prospect with his ability to shoot, cut, and provide some rim protection. 

Milton Academy: After making it to the Class A semifinals last year and bringing back a significant portion of their team, Milton is looking to take home a title this year. 2024 guard Nick Petronio had an impressive summer on the Nike EYBL circuit. He has long been known as a shooter but steadily is improving at creating both for himself and others. Gavin Carter is back as the quarterback of this squad. The Colorado College commit's vision, feel, and IQ allows him to be someone who consistently makes others better. High point commit Jack Graham’s big summer with BCRI helped him land a Division One scholarship. The guard can space the floor from deep but also has some sneaky leaping ability in space. 2024 wing Austin Hunt will give this team more long-range shooting. He is still working his way back after an ankle injury. CJ Happy will hold it down inside. The 2024 big man can score or find others when posting up. 2024 guard CJ Cox has proven to be a good addition with his smooth mid-range pull-up and toughness defensively. 

St Sebastian’s School: Another team on this list with high expectations in 22-23 is St. Sebastian’s. They earned the two seed in last year's Class A tournament. AJ Dybantsa burst onto the scene last year as just an 8th grader. The 2026 national prospect is an athletic 6’8 forward with a lot of untapped upside. Trevor Mullin is back to run the show. The Yale commit made nice strides over the last year with his ability to create for others but still is a capable 20 point scorer on any given night. Cooper Wright earned a Patriot League scholarship to Colgate. The forward impacts games with his floor spacing, toughness, and consistent high motor. 2025 forward Jaylen Harrell can take smaller opponents on the block to score but also attack from the perimeter. Another 2025 to watch is Timmy Bollin. The wing has 6’4 size, long-range shooting ability, while also coming from a basketball family. Colby commit Sam Hinman is the kind of shooter who you can generally mark down three points for when he is left open from deep. His lethal long-range stroke will help to open up driving lanes for others. Multi-sport athletes Zion Simmons and Jack Williams will also contribute while TJ Allen is one of the 2027 prospects we already have our eyes on. 

Tabor Academy: After not making the Class A tournament last year, Tabor will be looking to change that this year. It starts with Holy Cross commit Joe Nugent. The forward brings strength, rebounding, and marksmanship from beyond the arc. Daithi Quinn has already shown why he is one of Class A’s more impactful newcomers. The 2025 wing is tough, a versatile scorer, and bouncy athlete in transition. Recent NYU commit Flynt Whitworth gives this squad a high IQ shooter who can also provide value when playing on the ball. 2023’s Collin Johnson and Patrick White (Committed to RPI) will give this squad a pair of forwards who space the floor and help out on the defensive glass. 2023 wing Jordan McClain will be an important player. He can have an imprint all over a game outside of scoring with his floor vision and defensive versatility. Two other newcomers are Trevor White and Logan Murphy. White, a 2024 forward has intriguing upside with his 6’6 size, explosive leaping ability, and flashes hitting open standstill three-pointers. Murphy adds more floor spacing on the wing to go with being an intelligent off-ball cutter. 

Williston Northampton School: Another team looking to change their fate from last year and earn a Class A tournament spot in 22-23 in Williston Northampton. Croatia native Grgur Brcic has made a quick impact during his first season in New England. The 2023 big man has a college ready body, high motor on the glass, and good footwork when posting up. Paul Ippolito is the floor general for this team. He is a creative playmaker who also needs to be accounted for from beyond the arc. TJ Hengahen is back. The 2023 forward brings 6’8 size to go with being a three-point threat. 2023 prospect Connor Jenkins is an additional forward who will be a key piece. He adds another long-range threat that is comfortable playing in pick and pop situations. Jack Williamson and Beau O'Beirne are a pair of guards who can get hot in a hurry. Williamson is the more versatile scorer of the two while O’Beirne provides a more proficient three-point shooter. Lithuanian import Gytis Auruskevicius is now healthy. He has been on our radar for some time now with his 6’9 size, solid frame, and ability to hit open treys. It will be interesting to see if he can be a consistent producer this season. An underclassman to keep an eye on is Ricardo Nieves. The 2025 guard is a multi level scorer who also knows how to move without the ball.