Players to watch: Sr. G Nick Foley, Greenville; Sr. F Connor DiAngelo, Greenville; Sr. G Joshua Brown, Valley; Sr. C Dillon Beane, Valley; Sr. C Alex Shoureus, A.R. Gould; Sr. G/F Ernest Lorange, A.R. Gould; Sr. G Carson Veilleux, Forest Hills; Jr. F Brandon Gilboe, Forest Hills; Sr. G/F Jet Archer, Seacoast Christian; Sr. G/F Jesse Towne, Seacoast Christian; Sr. G Alex Schlisner, Pine Tree Academy; Jr. F Jared Tamaleaa, Pine Tree Academy; Sr. G Micah Riportella, Temple Academy; Sr. F Nikola Kekic, Temple Academy; Sr. G Kyle LaRochelle, Rangeley; Jr. F Leo Perez, Rangeley.

Favorite: Greenville.

The Lakers have the same roster that tore through last year’s bracket, only with another year of experience under its belt. They play a tough schedule that includes several Class C teams and some of the top teams in D North, and they’ve won 16 in a row. And they have the best player in the tournament in Foley.

Dark horse: Forest Hills.

The Tigers handed Greenville one of its two losses, 69-59, back in December. Since then, a rash of injuries have kept them from keeping pace with the Lakers, including a 30-point loss late last month. Most of the walking wounded are back, and there is hope that Parker Desjardins, a freshman guard who was a big factor in their early success before breaking his foot, can return at some point in the tournament. Monmouth native Anthony Amero usually has the Tigers playing their best once they get to Augusta.

Overview: Welcome to the most eclectic tournament in the state. The collection of tiny town schools and private schools usually provides a few surprises during school vacation week. But this tournament may have the most predictable result since the peak of the legendary Valley teams of the early 2000s.

Prediction: Greenville.

Rangeley’s Nolan Boone shoots the ball past Buckfield’s Tobias Worthley during a game in Buckfield earlier this season. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)


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