Prep Profiles 2022-23 Season: Winchendon School
After not making the NEPSAC Class AA playoffs last year, Winchendon School has its sights set on changing that this season. Head Coach Kevin Kehoe’s squad is off to a good start, going 2-0 at this past weekend’s Zero Gravity Prep Classic.
3 Things You Need to Know About This Year’s Team
1. Hamby is back
After earning ALL-NEPSAC Honorable Mention honors last season, 2023 guard Marquis Hamby will be looking to build on his solid play. The Jefferson commit brings speed, explosiveness, and three-point shooting. Look for Hamby to again provide this team with a scoring jolt.
2. Ashe adds more scoring and athleticism in the backcourt
2023 guard Evan Ashe made a decision this offseason to transfer to Winchendon. The Binghamton commit has burst, springy leaping ability, while also being a threat to make shots at all three levels. Ashe and Hamby should be a handful for opposing guards to defend throughout the season.
3. Elshakery holds it down inside
Another impact newcomer for the Wapitis is 2023 big man Belal Elshakery. The Egypt native is a wide-bodied big man with soft hands, vision, and toughness. Elshakery’s junkyard dog mentality and unselfishness make him someone who can impact a game with limited touches.
3 Questions Heading into the Season
1. How will Phillips impact this squad?
Arizona native Trey Phillips decided to take a post-grad year and get a taste of NEPSAC AA competition. The forward is intriguing with his physical tools, high motor, and upside spacing the floor. Phillips’ development could certainly be a key to how high this team’s ceiling is.
2. Can Feroci take a leap with his shot?
Muhlenberg commit Michael Feroci earned the opportunity to play in a high-level Division Three league with his blend of strength, leaping ability, and toughness. The next step for the wing is showing he can be a reliable three-point threat. If that happens, it would help guys like Ashe and Hamby have more opportunities to get to the basket.
3. Can they ultimately break through and earn a AA Tournament spot?
With the amount of D1 talent throughout the various teams in AA, there are truly no games that can be taken off. Oftentimes, it is the little things that separate teams from achieving their goals or not. Coach Kehoe has had success for a long time in the NEPSAC, truly buying into his plan as a team could help separate them.
Michael Feroci