Prep Profile – Worcester Academy

Monday, November 15th, 2021

The National Prep Showcase tips this coming weekend at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut and so we’re wrapping up our prep previews of the local New England squads set to participate. 

Up next is Worcester Academy, a program that is annually among the best in Class AA of the NEPSAC under head coach Jamie Sullivan and his right hand man Dan Sullivan. This year, they’re poised to be among the contenders again with another very talented roster. 

First though, they’ll open their season on Sunday against Blair Academy. 

3 Things You Need to Know About This Year’s Team

1. The junior class is loaded

TJ Power is a nationally recognized prospect with a plethora of high-major offers, but this may be Tre Norman’s team. He was absolutely dominant during the open gym we watched. He scored at will, did it in different ways, and made it look effortless. Then there’s Kayvaun Mulready, who is another player with multiple early D1 offers, and comes into this season having taken his game, conditioning, and approach to unprecedented levels. Todd Brogna, a skilled frontcourt player and good rebounder, and Zach Harvey-Seutcheu, a tough and heady wing, add depth to a loaded group

2. Mahamed and Becil lead the seniors

It may have been a year dominated by the pandemic, but 2020-21 was still a breakout season for Dan Becil. He took his trademark toughness, added a true guard’s skill-set on top of it, led Worcester in scoring, and even played some point guard. That experience is bound to pay huge dividends this year, in what should be a more traditional season. Now, it appears fellow senior Abdullah Mahamed is poised for a breakout year of his own. The athletic big man is playing with more confidence and pop than ever before and ready to become a force in the NEPSAC. 

3. It’s about more than basketball

A Jamie Sullivan coached team is focused on more than just winning basketball games. They’ll do volunteer work, be visible in the community, and learn life lessons off the court. They’re not doing it for show, so you won’t see much about it, but this is one place where basketball is still a classroom to teach life lessons. 

3 Questions Heading into the Season

1. Can they stay healthy? 

Injuries have been an unfortunately consistent theme for the Hilltoppers over the years. That question begins with Power this year, after being limited again this fall with an ankle injury. Worcester needs him in their line-up to be at their best, and they need it consistently to find the continuity they’ll need to challenge for a championship. Of course, it isn’t just him though. It’s a matter of avoiding the bad luck they’ve been challenged by in recent years. 

2. Are they old enough? 

Jack Taylor is a talented senior wing who can provide perimeter size and skill, but he’s a bit of an unknown right now. Post-graduate guard Jake Shapiro was very impressive the day we watched, but is the only notable new addition in the class of 2022. If these two are able to have strong seasons, Worcester will be an undeniably better team. If not, they’ll have to rely quite a bit on their underclassmen…

3. Are the youngsters ready to contribute? 

What is clear is that there is young talent here to develop. What is unclear is just what they are ready to contribute this year, especially against the toughest of the competition that Worcester will face this year. Gargey Suryadevara is a sophomore big man with good size, hands, and touch. Jake Blackburn could be on his way to becoming an elite shooter. Dylan Cote is a developing versatile forward. Ryan Sullivan and Michael Ellerbrook are two freshmen that have bright futures as well. 

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