Spruce Mountain found itself on the outside looking at the end of last season, finishing 7-11 and missing the postseason completely. That came after an 18-1 campaign in 2014-15.

Zach Keene has been hired to take over the program that was most recently coached for two years by Chris Bessey. Keene was a Livermore Falls graduate before that school and Jay combined to become Spruce Mountain.

The Phoenix lost five seniors from last year’s team, but lucky for Keene, Alex Bessey is not among the departed.

“It all starts with Alex Bessey, one of the top players in the area,” Keene said.

“She’s our point guard, so obviously she does a lot of ball-handling, she can shoot it, get to the hole — just a really good player all-around.

“Alex is key for us,” Keene continues, “but, obviously, our young players are just as important.”

Haley Turcotte returns as a sophomore after putting in a lot of varsity time as a freshman, and Keene said she has added a lot to her offensive game for her second season. Joining Bessey and Turcotte is, in Keene’s words, the “freakishly athletic” Hanna St. Pierre.

Keene said that the Phoenix are physical and athletic, and that defense will be their calling card this season.

Coach: Zach Keene (first year)

Conference: KVAC; Class: B South

Last year’s results: 7-11

Returning athletes: Seniors — Alex Bessey, Ashley Souther, Abby Moreau; Juniors — Hanna St. Pierre, Emily Goding, Morgan Dalton, Lauren Cornelio; Sophomores — Haley Turcotte, Julianne Doiron.

Key losses: Emily Hogan, Avery Goding, Riley Moore, Grace Ryan.

Promising newcomers: Junior — Hailee Perkins; Sophomores — Emily White, Calley Baker; Freshman — Jaycee Cole.