NEPSAC Midseason Top 5

Yesterday, I wrote about the <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/01/miaa-midseason-top-5/">5 best MIAA teams I've seen so far this season</a>. As I said there, we're past the midway point of the winter basketball season, which means it's time for some reflection on my end.   Before playoff time, I'll have more extensive predictions for NEPSAC class winners, players of the year, among other awards.   But right now, it's time for my midseason NEPSAC top 5.   5. New Hampton School   New Hampton was one of the better teams in the entire NEPSAC last season, but after losing their star trio of Tillery, Blackwood and Meyer, people didn't know how they'd respond. But with [player_tooltip player_id='2341362' first='Jayden' last='Harrington'] at the helm of their offense and [player_tooltip player_id='2341404' first='Chad' last='Cook'] controlling the paint, they have the talent and depth needed to make a serious run. They have numerous guys—Harrington, Cook, [player_tooltip player_id='2878905' first='Stetson' last='Merritt'], [player_tooltip player_id='1560936' first='James' last='Sanderson'], and others—who could be the key cog and leading scorer offensively on any given night. Most importantly, they play unselfish basketball and have solid depth at every position. It's unclear whether they have the top-end star power to compete with the best teams, but they're also probably going to hit their stride towards the end of the season after they've had more time getting to know each other and playing together. They're always a well-coached team and a threat.   4. Cheshire Academy   Cheshire is my favorite team to watch in the entire NEPSAC, and it isn't particularly close. I could start listing off players who make an impact on both ends—[player_tooltip player_id='2874981' first='John' last='Spinoso'], [player_tooltip player_id='2875576' first='Justin' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='3417365' first='Aidan' last='Maguire'], [player_tooltip player_id='2546943' first='James' last='Caldarella'], and [player_tooltip player_id='3417403' first='Chase' last='Leonardo'], just to name a few—but that wouldn't capture what makes this team so awesome. What makes CA great is how they play as a team on both ends. Offensively, they play a 0.5 style offense in which every player is decisive and aggressive when they get the ball; they pass, dribble or shoot immediately and have excellent spacing and off-ball movement. They cut well without the ball, and everybody on their squad plays with immense unselfishness. Defensively, they're in the right spots on help-side and communicate very effectively. They're probably not as talented from a personnel perspective as some of these top-end teams, but the way they play on both ends allows them to compete. They're getting EVERYTHING they can out of this roster.   3. Winchendon School   Despite their surprising start to the season, Winchendon isn't getting the type of buzz they deserve. Coach Popp has an extremely talented and well balanced roster led by [player_tooltip player_id='1943555' first='Quinn' last='Gibson'], a 6-foot-6 wing who is one of the best players in the entire NEPSAC and a high major D1 player in my opinion. They also have Cam Blankenburg, Brady Selhorst, [player_tooltip player_id='2500987' first='Tavin' last='Penix'], and a host of other players who can light it up offensively and can be the leading scorer on any given night. Defensively, they have studs who can guard on the perimeter and also enough size and toughness in the paint to compete with bigger teams. Winchendon is one of the deepest teams in the entire NEPSAC and is a contender this season. Once the new roster has another month of playing together, they could be even more difficult to knock off, too. I could see them hitting their stride soon, even after some recent tough losses.   2. Cushing Academy   Cushing has one of the more logical roster constructions in the NEPSAC, with clear roles defined for all their players. At the head of the snake is [player_tooltip player_id='2465117' first='Ryan' last='Moesch'], the most electric point guard in the league and a threat as a scorer and facilitator as soon as he crosses half court. They also have [player_tooltip player_id='2470882' first='Theo' last='Edema'], though, a 7-foot center who cleans up the boards and provides excellent rim protection at the basket. Then, they fill out the rest of their roster with defenders, connectors, shooters, and role players. [player_tooltip player_id='2696669' first='Brady' last='O'Connell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1578527' first='Jack' last='Hynes'], [player_tooltip player_id='2470887' first='Elliot' last='Erickson'], [player_tooltip player_id='2875570' first='Jake' last='Nosek'] and others all provide additive qualities on both ends and are excellent as the 3rd to 5th best players in the lineup. Cushing can compete with any team in the country on any given night, and getting fully healthy on their front line will make them even more difficult to contend with.   1. Newman School   After watching Newman handle Cushing at the Garden a couple weeks back, it's tough to not have them as my number one NEPSAC team. The level of depth that Newman has is simply comical. They're led by [player_tooltip player_id='2553689' first='Louis' last='O'Keefe'], [player_tooltip player_id='2638999' first='Lucas' last='Morillo'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1532640' first='Quinn' last='Costello'], three high level D1 players, but they have a whole host of other players who are scholarship guys that can make shots and play within themselves. [player_tooltip player_id='1440697' first='Atticus' last='Richmond'], [player_tooltip player_id='1532411' first='Timmy' last='Bollin'], and [player_tooltip player_id='2341371' first='Chase' last='Geremia'] are just three more names that come into the game and provide shooting and toughness; not to mention [player_tooltip player_id='2341317' first='Jaylen' last='Hunter-Coleman'], who is a defensive pest and freak athlete. Most notably, though, coach Jackson Johnson has these guys playing like a well-oiled machine that knows exactly what shots they want to get and how they want to get them. They can lose on any given night because the NEPSAC is ridiculously competitive, but they're the best team top to bottom right now.

Yesterday, I wrote about the 5 best MIAA teams I've seen so far this season. As I said there, we're past the midway point of the winter basketball season, which means it's time for some reflection on my end.