Rhinos on the Charge: The Taft School (CT) 2026-27 Player Profiles

Founded in 1890, The Taft School is a coeducational boarding and day school for grades 9-12 plus post graduate in Watertown, CT. Horace Dutton Taft, brother of President William Howard Taft, opened it as Mr. Taft's School. Today about 590 students attend, roughly 84% of them boarders, on a 226-acre campus. In basketball, Taft competes in the Founders League and strives to earn a bid into the highly competitive New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class A (large schools) postseason championship tournament. 

Shavar Bernier has led the Rhinos since 2015. A Dover, NH, native, he captained Dover High and was a first-team All-State pick, then spent a post grad year at Bridgton Academy (ME), where he won the Frances L. Spooner Award as the school's top all-around student. At Connecticut College, he was a four-year varsity player and three-year captain who scored 1,187 career points, set the school record with 203 career three-pointers and was named All-NESCAC Second Team as a senior. After a Jones fracture ended his plans to play professionally in Europe, he became an assistant at St. Michael's College (D2) and then head coach at The Frederick Gunn School (CT) for two seasons before choosing Taft. He also serves as Taft's associate dean of students and works in admission, and he earned a master's degree from Dartmouth.

The team's 2026-27 players are profiled below.

Zohar Dhaliwal (2027) 6'6 guard - Dhaliwal is highly skilled and scores at all three levels. He uses ball screens, plays off the ball and posts up smaller matchups. He has a wide frame and a natural feel for the game. 3.6 gpa  RTB profile 

Nick Holtenhoff (2027) 6'1 guard - Holtenhoff is a true lead guard who makes high-level reads in the pick-and-roll and in transition. He plays with poise, passes from a variety of angles in the paint and makes sound two-foot decisions, and he knocks down threes when the opportunity comes. On defense, he is a pest whose elite conditioning lets him pick up full court.  3.8 gpa

Jacob Seyfried (2027) 6'3 guard (Committed to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in October) - Seyfried is a tough combo guard who understands the game on both ends. Scoring on the perimeter is a strength, and he uses his size and strength against smaller guards around the basket. He makes off-ball reads that lead to quality shots. Played club ball with Basketball Club Rhode Island. 3.7 gpa  RTB profile 

Wolde Simon II (2027) 5'11 guard - A quick, strong and savvy defender, Simon can pressure full court for an entire game. His quickness gets him past most defenders and into the lane for a pull-up or kick-out, and his speed with the ball puts pressure on defenses in transition. He previously played at Choate. 4.0 gpa RTB profile 

Elijah Tomori (2027) 6'8 forward - A high-level athlete with a big motor and a 7'1 wingspan, Tomori is a strong presence around the rim on both ends. His length and lateral movement let him hard-hedge or switch onto guards, and he finishes above the rim. As he develops a real inside game, his stock is sure to rise. 4.0 gpa  RTB profile 

Jai-Len Chopra (2028) 6'0 guard - A highly skilled, crafty guard, Chopra breaks down defenders off the bounce and with changes of pace. A strong safety in football, he brings that toughness and competitiveness to the court. 3.3 gpa

Aaron Humpries (2028) 5'9 guard - A naturally fluid guard with strong instincts on both ends, Humpries has skill well ahead of his physical development, and that gap will close quickly as his body matures. 3.3 gpa

Jack Ronndahl (2028) 6'9 forward - 2025 Swedish National Team. Ronndahl is a high-IQ, skilled big with a natural ability to pass. He has a D1 frame and strength and is improving rapidly. Plays club ball with BABC 16u. 3.3 gpa PH profile  RTB profile 

Kelechi Dike (2029) 6'1 guard - Dike has a strong body and a dedication to the game that is rare for a ninth grader. He has a high upside and will be a multiyear contributor. 3.2 gpa PH profile 

The team's 2026-27 game schedule and results can be found by clicking here