The Kimball Union Academy boys’ basketball program is a member of the highly competitive NEPSAC AA conference which has representation throughout New England. In addition to KUA’s NEPSAC AA competition, we schedule with some of the region’s top programs in NEPSAC AAA, A, and B. The program has historically achieved strong seasons that have garnered post-season tournament invites while seeing many of its student athletes land collegiate playing opportunities after graduating from The Hilltop. Many former Wildcat student athletes have played and continue to compete at top DI, DII, and DIII institutions. Recent graduates have moved on to programs such as NC State, William & Marry, Utah State, Towson State, Niagara, Dartmouth, Quinnipiac, Adelphi, Bentley, Lemoyne, Connecticut College, Ithaca, Pomona Pitzer, RIT, WPI, Kenyon, and Dickinson. Some former Wildcats have enjoyed professional careers with Nathan Knight ’16 the most notable, as a he heads into his third season in the NBA with the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise.
Merrick Smith, Cale Goodnow, and Harry Hutton were honored before the Lakes Region contest in Alumni Gym on Wednesday afternoon. Seven players found their way into the scoring column, with Hudson Scroggins leading the way with 16 points. It was the timely 3-point shooting late in the second half of Brandon Arnold, Zach Romich, and Noah Limbago that finally allowed the Wildcats to separate from the Holderness Bulls! The cherry on the sundae was senior Harry Hutton scoring his first varsity points on the final basket of the game!
Foul trouble for the KUA Wildcats was their undoing in Saxtons River, VT, on Monday evening in a Lakes Region Conference match-up. VA Wildcats found themselves in a back-and-forth contest for the first 30 minutes of the contest. Offensive contributions from Merrick Smith, Hudson Scroggins, Noah Limbago, Liam Sheard, Brandon Arnold, and Zach Romich led the well-balanced attack. However, eventually the fouls became too much to overcome, as both Smith and Scroggins fouled out, leaving the Wildcats from the North short-handed over the final 10 minutes.
Brewster Academy's National team presented a late winter road challenge for the Wildcats. Unforced turnovers in the first half put KUA in a 10-point hole at halftime. The second half saw Brewster's talented backcourt impose its will on the Wildcats, who were unable to keep pace. Hudson Scroggins and Merrick Smith were offensive and defensive standouts for the visiting team, but it wasn't enough on this night in Wolfeboro, NH.