Bridgton Academy Battles with the Big Boys
Bridgton Academy is an all-male college preparatory school on a 55 acre campus in Bridgton, Maine. Founded in 1808, the school is located at the northern tip of Long Lake in North Bridgton. In recent years, the school has expanded its number of two-year students, allowing for students to complete their high school diploma at Bridgton, as well as spending their second, prep, year at the Academy. Its programs include academics, a college athletics focus, and independent student life experiences, often involving outdoor and service activities.
Bridgton Academy's basketball program has a rich tradition - with NEPSAC championships, countless Division I, NBA and pro-league careers under its belt. It vies annually for a seed in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AAA tournament. Accordingly, its schedule includes much of the toughest competition and high level showcases in the Northeast.
The team's 2025-26 game schedule and results will be found here.
The team is coached by Whit Lesure. Coach Lesure is a legendary figure in New England basketball, Lesure is a member of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame and a career coach with stops at New Hampton School (NH) and University of New Hampshire. Since 1997, Lesure has served at the helm of Bridgton Academy basketball. During his tenure leading the Wolverines, Bridgton basketball has become synonymous with individual player development, hard work, and team accomplishment. Lesure’s tenure has included multiple NEPSAC championships and coaching numerous alumni who have gone on to successfully pursue their dreams at all levels of play. The 2025-26 roster is again stocked with the college prospects as profiled below.
Oliver Allersted (2026) 6’4 guard - From Denmark is college ready guard with international experience, strong body, very good athleticism, and superb decision making. Has been team’s best defender in early open gym runs. More adept at slashing to the rim than shooting the 3pt, Allersted should put himself on the radar screen of a lot of coaches with a breakout prep season.
Ngor Agu (2026) 6'1 guard - #87 ranked player in Colorado by Prep Hoops. Agu is more perimeter focused, but his pressure on the basket cannot be overlooked, bringing strength with the necessary ball skills to leverage his physical tools. Although capable of operating out of isolation, he is at his best attacking off the rip, quickly getting a head of steam when needed. Bringing shot making from his pull-up, he can change speeds for a mid-range attempt as needed. PH profile
Tobias Cloninger (2026) 6’8 forward - This Swiss product possesses the length, stroke, and athleticism to make a real difference in the frontcourt for the Wolverines. With a physical frame that appears ready to blossom, Tobias could be the next ex-Switzerland prospect to make good things happen for himself during his postgrad year.
Colton Crowdis (2026) 6'4 point guard - From Toronto City, Crowdis parlayed a strong prep season into a fantastic summer where he turned heads with Bridgton. He showcased elite court vision, excelling both in the open court and the pick-and-roll. Colton also dazzles as a scorer, capable of creating his own shot at will. His strong play with Bridgton, combined with a great AAU season with Toronto City Elite, has helped his recruitment skyrocket, with multiple Division 1 programs showing significant interest.
Ducarmel “Duke” Derima (2026) 6’3 wing – Another Massachusetts native attending Brighton as a postgrad. Derima was a high school “Big” who will transition to the wing for the Wolverines. Derima brings tenacity, shooting touch, and a superior nose for the ball and his day to day work is sure to make the positional change effective while challenging the bevy of guards that Bridgton brings to the table.
Nabiyoulahi “Nabi” Diakite (2026) 6’7 wing – Diakite has elite quickness, speed, and length, the southpaw is coming into his own in year two at BA. More aggressive, confident, and better adjusted to U.S. game, Nabi is beginning to show signs of being able to impact the game at both ends of the court. Though slender bodied, he is developing the toughness that is necessary to compete at the AAA Prep level. Scholarship schools should keep tabs. A fantastic young man and highly capable student on top of that makes him one of the more intriguing prospects on Coach Lesure’s squad this year.
Khai Francis (2026) 6'2 guard - Team leader with energy and enthusiasm, Francis mixes the ability to knockdown the 3 pt. shot, with strong finishes at the rim. A true gym rat, Khai is poised for a solid year at Bridgton and should crack the loaded lineup with his all-around ability and understanding of the game.
Clayden Jean-Baptiste (2026) 5’9 point guard - A sparkplug on both ends, Jean-Baptiste was a 1000 pt. high school scorer. At Bridgton, he will be asked to help run the team and utilize his speed and quickness to add depth to the backcourt. If he adjusts to the prep level Clay could well develop into a valuable college prospect for any schools looking for a dynamic point guard.
Karim Keita (2026) 6'9 forward – This high level Mali native will pair with Cheick Sylla to help the Wolverines match the physicality of most NEPSAC AAA teams. Versatile, long, and capable of both inside and outside play, Keita will be attractive to many scholarship schools at the D1 level. How Bridgton manages the depth and chemistry within the line-up will likely determine not only how far the team goes but also the kind of recruitment attention that many of their prospects receive in ‘25-26.
Giel Klerks (2026) 6’3 guard - Klerks is yet another international import for Bridgton hailing from Belgium. Not able to play in the NEPSAC Showcases this summer, Klerks is a bit lesser known and much of what he contributes will be determined in how quickly he adapts to the U.S. game and to the aggressive nature of how the Wolverines want to play.
Matthew Kollins (2026) 6’1 combo guard - From the San Francisco Bay Area, CA is one of the pleasant postgrad surprises here. Matt is a the type of high IQ player, knockdown shooter, and tough competitor that usually finds its way on the court for the Wolverines. A very good student with deferred academic acceptance to Denison College, Kollins makes a lot of sense for D3 coaches looking for the whole package. 3.6 gpa 1300 SAT
Maks Mazzoni (2026) 6’8 forward - From Slovenia, Mazzoni is an all-around good player with both perimeter and post skills and the toughness and IQ to impact the game in a variety of ways. He brings a physical presence with his defense, rebounding, and screening that makes him a highly productive player for a program with virtually all new faces. His ability to stretch the defense and put the ball on floor make him a force to watch this year.
Windsor Muzoora (2026) 6’3 wing – Muzoora is gaining valuable experience in transition to new level of play. Already established as a great teammate who is about all the right things, further development is what this year is all about for the postgrad from Burlington, MA.
Nafees Padgett (2026) 6’4 guard - From Portland, ME, in postgrad year after two years at Tilton School (MA), Padgett should be allowed to showcase his abilities as a multifaceted scorer with skill off the bounce and catch and shoot shot-maker. The college-ready body makes him a prospect well worth the time of scholarship schools recruiting the prep scene. Possessed with a genuine love of the game, this competitor should be another prospect that helps Bridgton compete in the AAA.
Cheick Sylla (2026) 6'10 center - (Committed to UMass) Prior to noting his reclassing, #1 ranked player in Maine for 2025 by NERR. 2024-25 All NEPSAC Class AAA as a junior. Sylla is a traditional, low post big man. The southpaw is big and strong and carves out space on the block with ease, and he’s a good operator once the ball is entered to him there; he has a nice spin move and can finish quite well with both hands. Solid free throw shooter. Video highlights NERR profile
To accommodate college scout visits, Bridgton holds a schedule of Fall Open runs, the details of which can be found here.