Bridgton Academy (ME) 2026-27 Player Profiles
Founded 1808, chartered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts before Maine was a state, Bridgton Academy is the nation's only all-male postgraduate independent boarding school, located about 38 miles northwest of Portland, ME. It is 100% boarding, with 160-180 enrolled per year. The mission is generally a one-year postgraduate environment preparing young men for the rigors of college, but it also has a two-year track, letting students complete a high school diploma at Bridgton and then spend a second, prep year there.
The basketball program competes at one of the highest levels of college basketball prep in the New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class AAA division. The program produces DI players year after year and their players come from all over the world. In fact, their 2025-26 starting five were all international. Bridgton's model is a one-year audition for high school post grad, often international players, who need a NEPSAC AAA stage to get seen; or they are already committed to a college and are using an extra year of high level prep play to further develop their games to better compete in college ball.
Last year, the program had to overcome the stunning and sudden passing of their New England Basketball Hall of Fame coach, Whit Lesure on January 5. The team's response to that tragedy was impressive, rallying to upset or strongly challenge some of the best teams in the country. That was accomplished under the leadership of interim co-coaches, Paris Horne and Greg Hill. After the season, Horne was hired to be the head coach going forward. "Paris Horne represents everything that is right about top-level prep basketball," said Bridgton Academy Director of Athletics Aaron Izaryk, citing his leadership, character, and energy, and the authenticity and durability of the relationships he builds with individuals and teams. Horne, an '07 alum, had returned to Bridgton in 2019 as an assistant on Lesure's staff. As a postgraduate at Bridgton in 2006-07, Horne played alongside future St. John's teammate Justin Burrell on a team that went 34-5, held the No. 1 national ranking among prep programs for most of the season, and won the NEPSAC Class AAA championship. Horne was rated a top-30 shooting guard prospect nationally and signed with St. John's University. He played all 30 games as a freshman, then broke out as a sophomore, leading the Red Storm at 14.6 points per game with a 15-point performance in a win over Duke. He was a key contributor on Steve Lavin's 2011 NCAA Tournament team as a senior and left the program tied for fifth in career three-point field goals made. He also earned a reputation as a defensive specialist over his four years in the Big East. Horne played eight professional seasons abroad. His overseas stops included BG Göttingen in Germany, Rethymno Aegean in Greece, Büyükçekmece Basketbol in Turkey, and Kouvot in Finland's Korisliiga.
The team's assistant coaches are Greg Hill ’07 and Ben Metcalf. Hill played alongside Horne on the Bridgton, 2007 NEPSAC AAA championship team and is a member of the Bridgton Athletic Hall of Fame. Hill went to Midland College (TX) out of Bridgton for two seasons, 2007-09, earning first-team All-Region V and All-WJCAC honors as a sophomore. He transferred to Texas Christian University and played two seasons in the Mountain West. Coach Metcalf has seven years of high school basketball coaching experience. He specializes in scouting, film analysis, and player development.
Bridgton's 2026-27 roster, as profiled below, is once again staffed to compete at the highest level and draw college recruitment.
Ivanovich Alang-Zoa (2027) 6'2 guard - From Cameroon, Alang-Zoa is a combo guard with a good shooting touch. He is a creative playmaker who can generate opportunities for himself and others. 3.9 gpa Video highlights
Oliver Allerstead (2027) 6'4 wing - From Denmark, Allerstead played for both the Danish National 16u and 18u teams. He is a really intriguing prospect; he has a college ready frame, can operate as a secondary ball-handler in the half-court, and has some sneaky athleticism. He does a nice job of getting to his spots off the bounce, shows good touch and feel as a passer, and is capable of creating his own shot late in the clock. On the other end of the floor, he can defend multiple positions and does a nice job of moving laterally to keep the ball in front of him on the perimeter. He uses his good strength to rebound in traffic. 4.0 gpa PH profile
James Augustine (2027) 6'8 small forward,- From Nigeria via The Stony Brook School (NY), Augustine is athletic, high-energy and has a lengthy frame. He has a high motor, runs the floor and defends 1-5. Helped lead his Stony Brook School program to conference and NYSAIS State Championship. 2026 Long Island’s Exceptional Senior All-Star Game MVP. Receiving interest from Assumption University, Brown, Sacred Heart and Hofstra. 3.2 gpa Video highlights RTB profile
Cohen Bell (2027) 6'6 wing - From Guelph, Ontario, CAN via Polaris Prep (CAN), Bell is an athletic, high-IQ, versatile, hard-nosed two-way player who defends with pride, competes every possession, and brings a deep offensive skill set. He plays hard, impacts winning, and continues to grow as a versatile threat on both ends. Receiving interest from Duquesne, Dartmouth, Boston University, Colgate, Rice, Charlotte and Corban University (NAIA). 4.0 gpa Video highlights
Dual “DJ” Bijiek (2027) 6’10 forward - From Ames High (IA), Bijiek is an athletic rim protector who plays with a high motor. He runs the floor well, protects the paint, and has great touch around the basket. Video highlights
Fred Davis (2027) 6'2, 173 lb point guard - From Lincoln High (CA). 2025-26 All Section Team. Davis has a 6'6 wing span and is a fast, ball handling guard. He can run the offense up top like a true point guard, with patience, and ball movement. With his head always up, he passes early in transition. He has the vision to spot shooters around the perimeter when driving. He can get aggressive off ball looking for his shots. Short jumpers, driving and challenging blockers around the basket. He's a good on ball defender, disruptive at times who competes on every possession. Receiving interest from Fairleigh Dickinson, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, UC Riverside, University of San Francisco, Cal State Fullerton, Cal Poly-Pomona, San Francisco State and Washington University. Plays club ball with Team Arsenal. 3.5 gpa Video highlights PH profile
Chris Delaney (2027) 6'6 wing - From Marshfield, MA via Boston College High School, Delaney is a physical player with good size who disrupts opponents with his energy and strength. Strong rebounder.
Haferny Diaz (2027) 6’6 wing - From Colombia, via Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) - Diaz is a physical wing with a good shooting touch. Plays at his own pace, stays under control, and uses his strength effectively. Receiving interest from Oregon State, East Carolina University, University of Jamestown, Colby College, Kansas Wesleyan University, Bethany College and Erie Community College.
Ryan Edwards (2027) 6'3 shooting guard - From Harlem, NY via Eagle Academy-Bronx (NY). 2026 PSAL (New York City) 4A Championship Game MVP. Edwards is a big, physical combo guard who brings high energy to the court, consistently pushing the pace with a north-south playing style that keeps defenses on their heels. He finishes with authority around the rim, leveraging his athleticism and power to finish through contact. As a dependable three-point shooter, he stretches the floor and forces defenders to respect his range. His speed and quickness make him a dynamic threat whether initiating the offense as a ball handler or serving as a secondary scoring option. He is a willing and competitive defender. Receiving interest from Columbia University. Plays club ball with Crown Basketball-MHC. Video highlights PH profile RTB profile
Adam Fitzgerald (2027) 6'3 guard - From Scarborough High (ME), Fitzgerald is combo guard that is a knockdown shooting specialist who provides reliable floor spacing. Receiving interest from Tufts, Roger Williams, Southwestern University and Lesley University. 4.0 gpa
Naiem Gill (2027) 6'3 guard - From Platt High (CT) where Gill was named to 2025-26 CIAC All State Team. He is a strong, high energy, combo guard/wing whose physical presence is felt every time he steps on the court. He plays with an aggressive, downhill attacking style and has a good shooting touch. His size, speed, and strength make him a matchup problem for any opponent, allowing him to finish through contact and control the pace. Defensively, his versatility stands out as he has the ability to guard positions 1 through 5, making him a true two-way asset. Receiving interest from Fairleigh Dickinson, Le Moyne, Central Connecticut State, Jacksonville University, East Stroudsburg (attended their camp) and St Louis (attended their camp). Plays club ball with CT Takeover. 3.8 gpa Video highlights RTB profile
Mahamadou Landoure (2027) 6'10 forward (University of Virgina commit) - An NBA Africa Academy product, Landoure is a low-post bruiser with a developed frame and solid footwork for his age. He scores on dunks and drop-steps, elite roller who carves out space, strong on the offensive glass, draws fouls at a high rate. His passing feel is real. His 87% free-throw mark is a good tell on his shooting upside.
Favour Nkemka (2027) 6'3 guard - From Toronto, CAN via Iowa United Prep, Nkemka is an athletic combo guard who can initiate the offense and create in transition. Nkemka showed that he could guard virtually anyone at either backcourt spot at the Tark Classic. He is long armed and puts immense pressure on rock and creates deflections. He uses his strength to finish through contact. Has been offered by St Louis and is receiving interest from University of South Dakota, Saint Joseph's University (PA), Charlotte and Maine. 3.7 gpa
Ismael Offo-Adjou (2027) 6’9 forward - From the Togo, Offo-Adjou is an athletic forward with a high motor who consistently impacts the game with his energy and effort. A strong rebounder on both ends of the floor.
Mike Therrien (2027) 6'8 forward - From Pomfret, CT, via Putnam Science Academy (CT), Therrien is a tremendous rebounder who also can alter opponents’ shots at the rim when contesting. He runs the floor and can finish at the rim. When left open, he can also knock down the three ball. 4.0 gpa Video highlights RTB profile
Kelian "Enzo" Yonkeu (2027) 6'5 wing - From Holy Family Academy (NH) where he earned 2025-26 New Hampshire All State honors. Yonkeu is a big, athletic wing who can stretch the floor and defend multiple positions. Receiving interest from Worcester Polytechnic, Roberts Wesleyan and Haverford College. 3.2 gpa
To accommodate college scout visits, Bridgton holds a schedule of Fall Open Gym runs, the details of which can be found by clicking here.
The team’s 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.