During the first weekend in March, the NEPSAC held its annual basketball tournament. In what has become the most exciting weekend of prep school basketball in the country, the NEPSAC crowned 6 champions from Class AAA to Class D. HEA had a total of 13 of its alumni reach postseason play, including 2 who won NEPSAC championships. Lets take a look at how each team faired throughout the preliminary rounds of the tournament, and over the course of the weekend.
Class AA – Tournament:
In the quarterfinals, defending champion and #4 seed Cushing Academy and Kimani Lawrence defeated #5 seed Terance Mann and Tilton School 75-59. Bruce Brown, Christian Vital and #6 Vermont Academy lost to #3 seed and NC State bound Abdul-Malik Abu and Kimball Union Academy 54-51. Eric D’Aguanno and #7 seed Marianapolis Prep lost to #2 seed and UNLV bound Goodluck Okonoboh and Wilbraham and Monson Academy 68-48.
In semifinals action, Kimani Lawrence and Cushing Academy defeated #1 seed and Notre Dame bound Bonzie Colson and St. Andrew’s School 67-64, thanks to some last second heroics from top 100 guard Jalen Adams.
In the championship game, Cushing Academy defeated Kimball Union Academy 78-70, behind stellar play from Syracuse University bound Kaleb Joseph and Jalen Adams to repeat as NEPSAC Class AA champions.
Class A Tournament:
In the quarterfinals, Geo Baker and #8 seed Buckingham Browne & Nichols upset #1 seed Choate Rosemary Hall 65-62. In the semifinals, BB&N fell to eventual champion and #4 seed Phillips Exeter Academy, who also won back-to-back NEPSAC Class A championships.
Class B Tournament:
In the quarterfinals, PJ Tucker, Leo Connelly, Niles Cohen, and #1 seed Beaver Country Day School defeated #8 seed Middlesex School 44-38. Unique McLean and #4 seed Hoosac School lost to #5 seed Brooks School in an overtime thriller 69-65. Ellis Christmas and defending NEPSAC Class B champion Suffield Academy lost to #3 seed Rivers School 57-55. Tyree Weston and #2 seed Cheshire Academy defeated Aaron McLean and #7 seed St. Mark’s School 69-61.
In semifinals action, BCDS and its trio of HEA alumni lost to Brooks School 67-61. Tyree Weston and Cheshire Academy defeated Rivers School 67-62.
In the championship game Tyree Weston and Cheshire Academy defeated Brooks School 66-56 for the schools first ever NEPSAC championship.
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