St Sebastian's School (MA) 2026-27 Player Profiles
Founded in 1941, St Sebastian's School (St Sebs) is an independent, all-boys, Roman Catholic day school. They educate grades 7-12, roughly 380-390 students on a 26-acre campus located in Needham, MA, a Boston suburb.
Their boys varsity basketball team, the Arrows, plays in the Independent School League (ISL) and New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class A division (large schools). They were back to back ISL Champions in 2022 and 2033 and reached the Class A championship game in 2023.
The team is coached by Matt Karpowicz, an alum of the class of 2016. He played college ball at Williams College, a four-year member of a program that went 82-34 during his time. The Ephs reached the 2017 NCAA D3 Final Four, won the 2018 NESCAC championship, and advanced to the 2019 NCAA Elite Eight. Karpowicz surpassed 1,000 career points and averaged 15.4 points per game as a senior. Dean's list honoree. His coaching path prior returning to St Sebs included being an assistant coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, La Salle University, and Florida Gulf Course University.
Jameson Purdy
Coach Karpowicz will be looking to the players profiled below for success in the 2026-27 season.
Solis Blue (2027) 6’0 175lb guard -Explosive lead guard capable of playing on and off the ball coming off of second consecutive All Independent School League and All NEPSAC Class A honors. A two year team captain who recently eclipsed the 1000 point mark after averaging 19 points 4 rebounds and 2 assists per game on 45/36/75 splits. Scholarship level talent showcases his ability to make explosive plays off of the catch and off of the dribble for both himself and others. Guards the ball with pride and is both a plus defender at the point of attack as well as an above average rebounder at the guard position, routinely winning battles in the paint for contested rebounds over taller players in the paint. Plays club ball with Team New England. 3.1 gpa Video highlights NERR profile PH profile
Charlie Melchionda (2027) 6’2 195lb guard - Marksman. Tremendous shooter with quick feet and a quicker release. Very repeatable release and arc with range. High IQ player and tremendous teammate going into his second year as a captain. Great cutter and unselfish offensive player who communicates on both ends already at a collegiate level. Class President. Plays club ball with Team White Mamba.
Tim Civello (2027) 6’5 185lb wing A versatile shooting wing who can fill it up from the arc in a hurry both off of the catch and off of the dribble. Has both a high and quick release that enables him to play and shoot like a much taller player. Gritty, physical player with winning quotient who will do what it takes to make winning plays as a cutter, defender, and rebounder. Plays club ball with NE Elite. 3.6 gpa PH profile
Decker Bannish (2028) 6’1 175 lb, guard - A physical and hard-nosed 3 and D shooting guard who can initiate offense on the ball as a lead creator as well. High IQ gym rat who competes above his age and understands how to think the game at an advanced level as well. Shot 17-51 from 3 in his first season in NEPSAC/ISL basketball, as well as over 3 rebounds per game at the guard spot. Plays AAU with Middlesex Magic. 4.0 gpa Video highlights
Jack Carter (2028) 6’5, 200lb, power forward - Coming off of a standout first year in the NEPSAC averaging 14 and 7 on 52/30/73 splits while also averaging over 1 block and 1 steal per game. An explosive combo forward capable of creating and scoring in the post as well as facing up and attacking from the perimeter. Also recently eclipsed the 1000 point mark in his high school career. He does not play a full AAU season this year as he is also a D1 football prospect (WR/P). 3.7 gpa PH profile
Jax Kenney (2028) 5’6 guard - 5’6 guard - Shooter shooter shooter. Lights out, with a quick release and range out close to half court. Crafty playmaker in the pick and roll who knows how to play off of his shot to create advantages and uses a variety of floaters and layups to score over taller defenders in the paint. Plays AAU with Middlesex Magic.
Julian Verwijs (2028) 6’2 160lb, small forward - A versatile and athletic 3 and D wing with a developing floor game. Hyperactive with length allows him to guard both guards and forwards on and off the ball. At best when playing fast hunting deflections and switching aggressively on defense while shooting catch and shoot threes confidently on offense. Plays club ball with NE United. 3.7 gpa
Ja Bennett (2029) 6'2, 150lb, guard - Recently classified to 2029, Bennett is gifted and cerebral lead guard who can run the offense to create for others as well as take control of a game with his own scoring. Started all 24 games his sophomore year with game highs in scoring of 26 and 24. Young for his grade and continues to grow into his body as a high IQ skilled guard who sees the floor at an advanced age and makes college level passes while getting to his spots for mid-range jumpers, floaters, as well as catch and shoot threes. Recently classified to 2029. Plays club ball with Expressions 16u-EYBL. 3.5 gpa Video highlights PH profile
Connor Larnard (2029) 6’4 165lb guard - New to the NEPSAC, coming off of a sophomore year at Xaverian Brothers High (MA) in which he helped lead his team to a D1 State Quarterfinals appearance as a double-digit scorer. A big guard who uses his ability as a knockdown catch-n-shoot floor spacer to open up the floor for himself where he uses his frame to score at all three levels - at the rim, in the mid-range, and in the post. Can guard multiple positions by using his length and size. Plays AAU with Middlesex Magic. 3.5 gpa
Jameson Purdy (2029) 6’8 190lb forward - New to the NEPSAC, coming off of a sophomore year at Xaverian Brothers High (MA) in which he helped lead his team to a D1 State Quarterfinals appearance. Still growing into body but has advanced feel, technique, and timing as a rim protector, both in walling up and contesting shots without fouling as primary help as well as coming from the weak side for blocks. A lob threat in the pick and roll with a developing perimeter game and capable of stretching the defense to hit open shots. Plays club ball with BABC-HGSL. 3.7 gpa
For college scouts looking to attend one of the program’s Fall Open Gyms sessions, those details can be found in the title jpeg above.
The team's 2026-2027 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here.