NEPSAC Class AAA Playoff Preview

The NEPSAC playoffs are finally here! I'll be doing previews of the AAA, AA, A, and B classes that'll include the most intriguing first round matchup, players to watch and my champion prediction. To be clear, if a player is discussed in the "first round matchup" or "champion prediction" section, they won't also be written about in the "players to watch" section, though those are certainly also players to keep an eye on. These previews will all be coming out before the games start on Wednesday, March 5th. Happy playoffs!   Let's start with the NEPSAC Class AAA playoff picture.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-04-at-11.00.45-AM.png"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-04-at-11.00.45-AM.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-2798465" /></a></figure>   Most intriguing first round matchup: (4) St. Thomas More School vs. (5) Vermont Academy   This 4 vs. 5 seed matchup is truly as even as they come, and I'm fascinated by both the back court and front court matchups. For the guards, I'll be very curious to see how [player_tooltip player_id='2546888' first='Shuto' last='Sakihama'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2325740' first='Tahlan' last='Pettway'] of STM defend [player_tooltip player_id='1379225' first='Jakye' last='Rainey'], who's an absolute flamethrower for Vermont Academy. He has deep range and big-time quickness; but if there's anyone that can stay in front and fight over screens without letting him get to the hoop easily, it's Sakihama and Pettway. The front court matchup of [player_tooltip player_id='1213554' first='Brandon' last='Benjamin'] (STM) against [player_tooltip player_id='2341313' first='Isiah' last='Rose'] (Vermont Academy) will also be a great watch. Two undersized but VERY STRONG big men who can step out and handle the ball. These guys are so skilled and tough, and I can't wait to watch them battle.   Players to Watch   [player_tooltip player_id='2638999' first='Lucas' last='Morillo']: The Newman School junior may very well be the best player in class AAA. The 6-foot-7 point-forward runs the show for his squad and can really get offense going for both himself and his teammates. His size at that position presents a real problem, because bigger players aren't quick enough to stay with him laterally but smaller players will get taken down into the post and eaten for breakfast. He also has a host of role players and shooters around him that can make plays. I wouldn't be shocked to see Morillo and Newman as the champions of this bracket.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/teshaun-steele/">Teshaun Steele</a>: The Darrow forward is a matchup nightmare. He's a freak athlete that can get to the rim/foul line but also knock down some shots from the outside. If he isn't picked up in transition and is allowed to get a head of steam, you might as well wrap it up. South Kent will need to make sure they guard him there and not let him become a wrecking ball in the open floor. Without a big-time rim protector, they could have trouble keeping him out of the paint, so that's definitely something to watch.   [player_tooltip player_id='2325739' first='Adam' last='Chiacchia']: How Chiacchia plays often dictates how South Kent plays. When he's operating with freedom and confidence out of the high post, finding teammates for back cuts, and getting post ups in the paint, he and his squad are very difficult to stop. Darrow has the size to handle him down low, but Chiacchia always manages to find a way. Sometimes, though, South Kent can get away from utilizing him as a hub -- which, in my opinion, is when their offense looks the best. I'll be curious to see how he's utilized and game-planned against.   <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/aleksa-vlajic/">Aleksa Vlajic</a>: Vlajic is the x-factor for Hoosac, a team made up of tons of international players. He's 6-foot-10 and talented in the post, but he's also able to step out beyond the perimeter and knock down shots with a lot of consistency. Most importantly, his teammates look for him and know where he is at all times, so he can really go off during certain games. He'll have to get going for Hoosac to have a major upset win over New Hampton.   [player_tooltip player_id='2641692' first='Cheickna' last='Sylla']: As Sylla goes, Bridgton Academy goes. The 6-foot-10 center is a matchup nightmare in the post as he's able to completely overpower smaller forwards and finish with finesse and touch over the top. A steady diet of him in the post is, in my opinion, the way for Bridgton to make some noise in this stacked AAA bracket. Unfortunately for him, he'll have to face <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/collins-chidera-onyejiaka/">Collins Onyejiaka</a> of Newman -- one of the best rim protectors and defensive bigs in the region -- in the first round. What a matchup that'll be!   Champion Prediction: New Hampton School   New Hampton's big three of <a href="https://prephoops.com/player/keyshuan-tillery/">Keyshaun Tillery</a>, [player_tooltip player_id='2325876' first='Naz' last='Meyer'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2317323' first='Mason' last='Blackwood'] is, in my mind, just too much for the rest of the bracket to deal with. All three of them can create for themselves and others and also defend at a very high level. Furthermore, New Hampton fills out their lineups with a bunch of guys who do the little things, like [player_tooltip player_id='2341362' first='Jayden' last='Harrington'], [player_tooltip player_id='2341338' first='Ty' last='Tabales'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2341404' first='Chad' last='Cook']. Everybody on this squad knows their roll and doesn't try to do too much, and they have a perfect roster construction to win AAA. There will certainly be some difficult matchups along the way, but New Hampton would be my pick to take home the crown at the end of it, simply because of the number of different directions their offense can come from.

The NEPSAC playoffs are finally here! I'll be doing previews of the AAA, AA, A, and B classes that'll include the most intriguing first round matchup, players to watch and my champion prediction. To be clear, if a player is discussed in the "first round matchup" or "champion prediction" section, they won't also be written about in the "players to watch" section, though those are certainly also players to keep an eye on. These previews will all be coming out before the games start on Wednesday, March 5th. Happy playoffs!