NEPSAC Class A Update
While conference records may be the best indication of where teams fall in relation to one another, it is actually there overall record that will decide if they will qualify for the NEPSAC playoffs at the season’s end. With a .500 mark needed, here is a look at where each program currently stands.
Brewster Academy 14-1 Overall, 6-0 NEPSAC “A”: Jason Smith’s squad is having a tremendous year thus far. There only loss on the season came to the nation’s #1 ranked team, the Patterson School. Since then they have won 10 in a row knocking off the likes of Notre Dame Prep, MCI, New Hampton, and others. While Emmanuel Negedu continues to dominate the interior they are deep and talented in the backcourt with Mark Lyons, Trey Blue, and Anthony Crater all putting up big numbers.
Bridgton Academy 10-7 Overall, 1-3 NEPSAC “A”: Bridgton had won seven in a row before falling to Lee 90-88 on Thursday night. Nevertheless, this team has come a long way from the beginning of the season. Look for them to improve upon their 1-3 NEPSAC record once they get back to league play.
Maine Central Institute 6-6, 0-5 NEPSAC “A”: MCI has had some tough breaks thus far this season including an overtime loss to Bridgton and a 2 point defeat at the hands of Winchendon. With a balanced and versatile roster they look to be in store for a much improved conference record in the second half of the season.
New Hampton 5-9 Overall, 3-3 NEPSAC “A”: It has been a season of streaks to say the least for New Hampton. After losing their first five games out of the gate, they came back to win five of their next six. Unfortunately, they have dropped three in a row since that time. But we will say this for Pete Hutchins’ team, they will play anybody, as their schedule is certainly one of the toughest in the league.
Northfield Mount Hermon 10-5 Overall, 1-3 NEPSAC “A”: NMH has won five in a row and is clearly playing their best basketball of the season after knocking off Worcester by 17 on the road Saturday. Mike Marra n’company appear to be heating up at just the right time as battles with Exeter, St. Thomas More, Brewster, and Winchendon loom on the horizon.
Phillips Exeter 6-3 Overall, 1-1 NEPSAC “A”: This Exeter team may not have a high major player like Stanford forward Josh Owens from last year’s squad, but they are perhaps the best perimeter shooting team in the league. And while their critics will point to their strength of schedule, they knocked off NMH earlier in the year and gave Brewster all they could handle before falling by 9.
South Kent 9-9 Overall, 1-2 NEPSAC “A”: The Cardinals appear to have turned the corner as they have won five in a row and six of their last seven. Isaiah Thomas continues to be the engine behind this team, but better ball distribution has been a key to their success as they are simply too hard when they are sharing the ball with so many weapons.
St. Thomas More 10-4 Overall, 1-1 NEPSAC “A”: The Chancellors have returned to full strength just in time for the brunt of their conference schedule. Devin Ebanks is back to run the show, while T.J. Robinson and Eric Waterford are both playing well to lead a supporting cast that is ready to do their part.
Winchendon 11-5 Overall, 5-0 NEPSAC “A”: Mike Byrnes team is undefeated in league play as they have knocked off MCI (twice), New Hampton, Bridgton, and South Kent. They have also faced off against the nation’s best with two of their losses coming to Hargrave Military Academy and American Christian without John Riek in the line-up. A match-up of the league’s only remaining undefeated teams takes place Friday as Brewster visits Winchendon. Larry Anderson has been outstanding averaging 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists per game.
Worcester Academy 7-5 Overall, 1-3 NEPSAC “A”: The highlight of the season thus far has certainly been a run to the finals of the Boys’ Club Holiday Tournament which featured a thrilling overtime victory against Bridgton. The schedule doesn’t get any easier as South Kent, Brewster, St. Thomas More, and New Hampton make up their next four games.
Overall Standings League Standings
Brewster Academy 14-1 Brewster Academy 6-0
St. Thomas More 10-4 Winchendon 5-0
Winchendon 11-5 New Hampton 3-3
Northfield Mount Hermon 10-5 St. Thomas More 1-1
Phillips Exeter 6-3 Phillips Exeter 1-1
Worcester Academy 7-5 South Kent 1-2
Bridgton Academy 10-7 Northfield Mount Hermon 1-3
South Kent 9-9 Worcester Academy 1-3
MCI 6-6 Bridgton Academy 1-3
New Hampton 5-9 MCI 0-5
Eric Waterford
Emmanuel Negedu
Josh Owens
Mike Marra
Isaiah Thomas
Mark Lyons
Trey Blue
Anthony Crater
Devin Ebanks
Larry Anderson
T.J. Robinson