A brief look at the prospects of local girls’ basketball teams:

Class A

Last year’s top teams could be threats again this year. Skowhegan graduated just two while Messalonskee graduated four. Lawrence should be a team on the rise again while Cony could bounce back after an average year.

Both Edward Little and Oxford Hills lost in the Eastern A semifinals last year and could be in the tourney hunt again. The Vikings lost six veteran seniors but still have all-stars Megan Joyce and Lindsay Fox leading the way. EL lost four regulars but return starters Kirsten Prue, Kayla Cummings and Frankie Lally, all KVAC all-stars.

After winning just one game last year, Mt. Blue hopes to improve with a new coach and a fresh start. Lewiston is looking to progress as well after an 0-18 year. The Blue Devils lost a handful of veterans from last year and return a  young and inexperience squad.

Class B

After making a little noise last year in Eastern A, Leavitt may like the sound of its move to Western B. The Hornets lost just two regulars from a promising young team. All-KVAC players Courtney Anderson and Adrianna Newton lead a Leavitt club that should challenge for the tourney against a tough KVAC B schedule.

Oak Hill hopes to do the same after just missing a tourney berth last year. The Raiders have Tom Morong, the long-time Morse coach, returning to the varsity level and All-Star Maggie Sabine leading a promising Oak Hill club that should be in the playoff hunt again.

Gray-New Gloucester could be among the contenders in the Western Maine Conference. The Patriots graduated just three players and have the core of the team back, including starters Kassie Wilson, Laura Getchell and Alicia Valente.

Mountain Valley won 15 games last year before losing in the semifinals. The Falcons graduated five seniors and field a much younger club this season. Lisbon has the same predicament after losing six regulars. Renee Moore, an all-conference guard, leads a young Lisbon club that should still battle for a postseason spot.

Other WMC teams to watch could be Greely and Lake Region. Both teams return the bulk of their playoff teams from last year. York and Falmouth both lost significant numbers but should still remain threats.

Poland hopes to bounce back after an injury-plagued year. The Knights have a promising young group ready to improve.

Class C

After winning the Class C state title, Jay has high expectations with much of that team back, including All-MVC pick Hillary Deane and fellow starters Mallory Bonnevie and Beth Moore. Carrabec was a surprise contender last year and could be a team to watch again after losing only a few players. Dirigo has much of its team back, including All-Star guard Jane Herbert. The Cougars should be one of the favorites as well.

The rest of the conference should be balanced. Mt. Abram only graduated one senior but lost other key players to injury, including All-Star guard Mikayla Burbank. Winthrop returns All-MVC guard Kelsey Ouellette to a young squad while Livermore Falls most of its team returning.

St. Dom’s makes the move to the MVC and should compete for a playoff spot. The Saints graduated just three and have starters Sarah Gosselin, Carolyn Joseph and Allaina Murphy back. Another MVC team to watch could be Hall-Dale. The Bulldogs have a strong senior class returning. Madison could also be a threat with the core of its club back.

Waynflete should contend out of the WMC again. The Flyers, which lost to Jay in the regional final, graduated four but return forward Morgan Woodhouse.

Class D

A year ago, Buckfield was the clear cut favorite, there’s no dominant force this season.

Valley could be a favorite to repeat with Cindy Schultz returning to a team that graduated just four. Richmond didn’t have any seniors while Vinalhaven has most of its team back. Both should be in the playoff hunt.

Rangeley lost some key players from a club that reached the regional final, but the Lakers still have Allie Hammond and a strong group of underclassmen that will make Rangeley a team to watch.

Buckfield graduated five seniors and have just a couple players with significant experience, including guard Ashlee Hamann, who missed most of last year with a knee injury.