2023-24 girls basketball preview capsules

DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Reggie Weston (fourth year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 6-13, reached C South preliminary round.
Returning athletes: Senior — Jaycie Holmquist (C); Juniors — Emily Woods (PG), Diana Cayer (F), Lauretta Woodhead (F); Sophomores — Madison Knowles (G), Lana Waite (G), Keira Reny (G), Braylee Tracy (F).
Key losses: Jayce Brophy, Grace Robbins, Kallie Errington.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Aleiah Ward (F/G); Sophomore — Sophia Nino (F); Freshmen — Abby Luczynski (G), Xandra Libby (F), Aurora Breau (F).
Season outlook: The Cougars lost a lot of offense to graduation, so coach Reggie Weston said they will need to improve their offensive skills and focus on defense and rebounding to be competitive in the Mountain Valley Conference and Class C South. “We are young,” Weston said, “but are working hard to hopefully surprise some teams this year.”

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Kristina Blais (second year)
Class: AA North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 7-12, reached AA North quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors —Tess Robbins (C), Jenny Chaput (F), Savannah Green (G), Saphryn Humason-Fulgham (G), Kayla Therriault (manager); Juniors — Rachel Penny (G), Layla Facchiano (G), Leah Britting (G), Violet Vincent (G); Sophomore — Favour Monday (G).
Key losses: Aiwen Maiwen, Olivia Coachman, Judith Ross.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Alexis Creaser (C), Hope Fontaine (G), Jenna Shea (G).
Season outlook: Kristina Blais said that last year was a great turn-around season for the Red Eddies, as they improved from two wins to seven wins. She said that this year, they’re looking to “continue to grow as a team” and again increase their number in the win column. Edward Little has depth and size. Blais said they also have camaraderie. With their upperclassmen’s leadership and a group of promising newcomers, the Red Eddies are set to have a strong season.

GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER PATRIOTS
Coach: Mike Andreasen (13th year)
Class: A South; Conference: WMC
Last year’s results: 17-4, reached regional final.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Ali Portas (G), Ellie Steele (F); Juniors — Izzy Morelli (F), Laney Farrar (G); Sophomore — Ella Kenney (G).
Key losses: Caitlin Taylor, Amber Fortin, Alyssa Howard.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Hailey Carson (F); Sophomore — Hope Handley (G); Freshmen — Abbey Steele (F), Emma Hamilton (G).
Season outlook: The Patriots return some key players, such as Izzy Morrelli (11 points, 7.7 rebounds per game), Ali Portas (9.1 ppg) and Ella Kenney (6.5 ppg off the bench) but lost most of their height with the graduation of six players. Mike Andreasen said the team must develop a post game to complement its outside shooting. Gray-NG should play solid team defense, led by All-WMC defense selection Ellie Steele, but will need to also rebound well. Many Class A teams have a lot of returners, so Andreasen said the Patriots “will need to have depth, especially in the post, in order to compete.”

LEAVITT HORNETS
Coach: Kyle Rines (first year)
Class: B South; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 7-12, lost in B South preliminary round.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Kayla Smith (F), Ashlee Robert (G); Juniors — Caitlyn McCoy (G), Katie Sirois (G), Anniston Jones (F), Daelyn Clark (F); Sophomores — Gabby Smith (G), Jordyn Boulay (G), Brooke Boutaugh (F).
Key losses: Jazzlyn Clark, Jillian Pelletier, Leni Beutler.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Alicia Bergeron (G); Freshmen — Lilly Wang (C), Reese Daigle (G).
Season outlook: New coach Kyle Rines said the Hornets “had a successful summer program with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Program participation is up to over 20 players, which is an increase from last year.” A lot of strong guards return for Leavitt, and Rines expects the experienced Caitlyn McCoy and Kayla Smith will provide leadership for the underclassmen. Leavitt will focus on team defense and rebounding throughout the season.

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Josh Morin (first year)
Class: AA North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 4-14
Returning athletes: Seniors — Natalie Beaudoin, Koral Morin, Skylar Gaudette, Gabby Roman; Juniors — Jasmarie Wood, Mackenzie Wood; Sophomores — Ella Beaudoin, Bailey Tardif-Mockler, Ezabella Kelly.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Ellie Legare; Freshmen — Natalie Rosario, Joanna Almeida.
Season outlook: The Blue Devils are looking to make a big jump from last season. New coach Josh Morin said the team’s strengths are outside shooting and guard play. He expects Natalie Beaudoin, who has signed to play at the University of Vermont, Koral Morin and Ellie Legare will lead Lewiston as it makes a push for the playoffs.

LISBON GREYHOUNDS
Coach: Jeremy Williams (fourth year); assistant: Tom McGrath (first year)
Class: B South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 0-15 (against JV schedule)
Returning athletes: Senior — Deanna Adams (PG); Junior — Delaney McGrath (F/C); Sophomore — Kasie Booker (PG).
Key losses: Emily Libby, Avia Russo, Hayleigh Perron, Aubrianna Bright.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Halen Richard (F); Freshmen — Aaliyah Bickford (PG), Leah Barry (F/C), Natalie Bichrest (G/F), Riley Kuietauskcis (C), Rachel Morse (F).
Season outlook: The Greyhounds are returning to the varsity level after three years playing a JV schedule. “We are looking to build and grow as the season progresses and continue to build a young program over the next few years,” coach Jeremy Williams said. Lisbon will lean on its three returners and their in-game experience to guide and help strengthen the team. Williams said he is looking for the inexperienced Greyhounds to gain confidence throughout the season.

MONMOUTH MUSTANGS
Coach: Molly Menice (third year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 13-7, reached C South quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Reese Beaudoin (G), Hailey Rooney (G), Haley DeHahn (F); Juniors — Rileigh Chase (G), Morgan Lacasse (F); Sophomores — Kaitlyn Frost (G), Maeve Burgess (F), Addison Beaudoin (G).
Key losses: Holly Hunt (G), Grace Levesque (F), Kerstin Paradis (G).
Promising newcomers: Junior — Tarynn Keleher (F); Freshmen — Lillian Palleschi (G), Hayli Paradis (G).
Season outlook: Coach Molly Menice said the Mustangs “have strong returning athletes who are ready to step up this season.” Some key players graduated, but there are returners who are looking to take on more significant roles and be leaders for the younger players. Menice said the Mustangs are striving to be competitive within the Mountain Valley Conference.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Peter Chase (first year)
Class: B South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 7-11
Returning athletes: Seniors — Brooke Bennett (PG/SG), Ella Young (SF/PF), Maisy Chase (C), Brooke Brown (SG/SF); Juniors — Madison Dow (SF), Laycee Boucher (SF), Alyvia Theriault (SG), Ali Mazza (PG/SG).
Key loss: Emma Clukey.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Emilie Lindsetmo (PF); Junior — Madisyn McLean (PF); Sophomores — Madison Blanchard (PG/SG), Chloe Brown (PF), Hayden Chase (SF), Emily Putnam (SF); Freshman — Catori Watson (PG).
Season outlook: Several key players return from last winter’s team that missed the postseason by about one Heal point. “The roster is filled with talented and dedicated players,” new head coach Peter Chase said, and the focus in the preseason has been on individual skills and building cohesive teamwork. Chase said the tough schedule will make the season a challenge, but that it also holds a lot of potential. “The team is determined to confront any difficulties head-on, focusing on collective effort, strategic play, and unwavering commitment to navigate the challenges that lie ahead,” Peter Chase said.

MT. ABRAM ROADRUNNERS
Coach: Jason Wing (first year)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 8-11, reached C South preliminary round.
Returning athletes: Juniors —McKenzie Contreras (G), Jany Pepin (G), Bailea Haines (F), Kharlie Turner (F); Sophomores — Abby McCarty (G), Jenna Osgood (G), Sakari Savage (C), Autumn Emery (F).
Key losses: Josey Arms (F), Abigail Wilcox (PG).
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Trinity Bachelder (G), Ruthie Gusler (G); Sophomore — Maddie Luce (G); Freshman —Vega Rollins (G).
Season outlook: The Roadrunners aim to build around their returning players and show improvement in every game this season. Team defensive effort and, new coach Jason Wing says, “a shared offensive attack with each possession,” will be key for Mt. Abram this season. He said the Roadrunners hope to “gain traction and establish themselves in the competitive Mountain Valley Conference.”

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Alex Bessey (first year)
Class: A North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 3-15
Returning athletes: Seniors — Bailey Farnham (G), Chloe Roberts (G), Maia MacIsaac (G); Juniors — Kylee Blodgett (G), Allison Casavant (G), Kara Daggett (F); Sophomores — Chloe Maberry (G), Kensley Malcore (G/F).
Key losses: Katelyn Daggett, Caitlin Burke.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Elsa Perez (G); Sophomore —Madilyn Cote (G); Freshmen — Reese Nye (F), Lauryn Northrup (G).
Season outlook: Alex Bessey — a former standout at Spruce Mountain, CMCC and UMaine-Farmington — takes the reins at Mt. Blue this winter. The Cougars are looking to improve and become stronger as a team, and Bessey said the players are eager to learn and improve. “Our goal as a team is to push each other and make each other better every day in practice.”

OAK HILL RAIDERS
Coach: Chuck Cullins (second year)
Class: B South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 8-11, reached B South preliminary round.
Returning athletes: Senior — Aubrey McElhaney; Juniors — Michaela Pontbriand, Kendall Theriault; Sophomores — Janiah McKay, Abby Perry, Makenzie Wardwell.
Key losses: Ari Thibeault, Payton Gonya.
Promising newcomers: Haley Harris, Madalyn Sikora, Kaylynn Washburn.
Season outlook: The Raiders will be a young team that coach Chuck Cullins said is “looking to get better as the season progresses.”

OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Nate Pelletier (19th year)
Class: AA North; Conference: KVAC
Last year’s results: 21-1, Class AA state champion.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Maddy Miller (F), Tristen Derenburger (G), Milo Seams (G); Juniors — Ella Pelletier (G/F), Gabbie Tibbetts (G), Sophie Estes (F), Maddy Herrick (F), Maddy Oliveira (G).
Key losses: Sierra Carson, Molly Corbett, Ashley Richardson, Maddy Stack.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Maddie Poland (G), Kayla Palmer (G), Emma Cooper (G), Emily Wilson (G); Freshmen — Lydia Goyette (G), Avery Marston (G).
Season outlook: The Vikings lost some key players from their state championship team, but they also return a lot of key players, including Maddy Miller, Tristen Derenburger, Ella Pelletier and Gabbie Tibbetts. Joining them are talented newcomers and players who were awaiting their chances last year. Coach Nate Pelletier anticipates it will take time for everyone to learn the system and figure out their new roles, but added, “I am excited to see the growth of the team throughout the season.” The goal for Oxford Hills is to be playing its best when the postseason rolls around in February. “I would expect the team you see at the beginning of the season will be very different from the team at the end of the season,” Nate Pelletier said.

POLAND KNIGHTS
Coach: Jake Webb (third year)
Class: C South; Conference: WMC
Last year’s results: 0-18 (in B South).
Returning athletes: Seniors — Thea Thornton (F), Maya Balkir (G), Gretchyn Paradis (F), Lily Bennett (C), Nicole Rioux (F), Breanna Bartlett (F); Juniors — Ruby Taylor (G), Laney Paradis (C); Sophomore — Alaina Hamlin (G).
Key losses: Ava Anderson, Alyssa Hart, Allie Latulippe.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Charlotte Grenier (G), Payton Rose (F), Pheobe Paradis (F), Olivia Bunyea (F).
Season outlook: Coach Jake Webb acknowledges that the Knight are coming off a rough 2022-23 campaign. Poland has moved from B South to C South this season. Webb said, “We are looking to compete on a nightly basis, continue to get better and build on our current foundation and make a playoff run.”

ST. DOM’S SAINTS
Coach: Brandon Rogers (first year)
Class: D South; Conference: WMC
Last year’s results: 2-16
Returning athletes: Seniors — Avery Gravel, Anna Geyer-Shaheen; Junior — Charli Apodoca; Freshmen — Piper Croteau, Chloe Croteau, Chloe LaPrell.
Season outlook: New coach Brandon Rogers said the Saints are encouraged as they enter the season and are looking to build upon a successful summer. Junior Charli Apodaco is the team’s top returning scorer. “We are an athletic group that plays for each other,” Rogers said. “I am excited to compete with them day in and day out.”

SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHOENIX
Coach: Zach Keene (seventh year)
Class: B South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 21-2; B South champion, Class B runner-up.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jaydn Pingree, Jazmine Pingree, Aubrey Kachnovich, Olivia Mastine, Elizabeth Grondin, Mary Hamblin; Juniors — Avery Bessey, Riley Small; Sophomore — Grace Cuthbertson.
Key losses: Mariyah Fournier, Emily Dubord.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Maddie Grimaldi, Natasha McDonald, Merik Bessey, Zoe Groomes.
Season outlook: All five starters return as do key bench players from last year’s regional champion that fell one point short of Spruce Mountain’s first state championship. The Phoenix also have added what coach Zach Keene said is “varsity-ready talent.” The combination of all of those pieces, he said, “should have us in a position to compete with anybody.” Conference play will be important, as will the team’s difficult out-of-conference games. “We have a lot of experience, talent and hope to put ourselves in position for another deep run come February,” Keene said. “There are a lot of good teams, and we will look to put ourselves back in that conversation.”

TELSTAR REBELS
Coach: Alec Newell (second year)
Class: D South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 3-15 (in C South)
Returning athletes: Seniors — Morgan Zetts (F), Karen Marshall (F), Makenzie Eliot (G), Kyra Rose-Espinoza (G); Juniors — Hayley Smith (G/F), Rylee Cooper (G); Sophomores — Viviene Charette (G), Taejyah Lego (F), Cady Campbell (G).
Key losses: None.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Sarah Chase (F); Freshmen — Addison Kimball (F), Mya Buck (G/F), Emma MacPherson (G), Bella Petillo (F).
Season outlook: The Rebels have dropped down to Class D but will continue to play a challenging Mountain Valley Conference schedule that includes eight games against Class B foes. “The team returns everyone this season,” second-year coach Alec Newell said, “so hopefully playing some tough regular season competition will get them ready for the postseason in the Class D tournament.”

WINTHROP RAMBLERS
Coach: John Baehr (third season)
Class: C South; Conference: MVC
Last year’s results: 13-7, reached the C South quarterfinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Haley Williams (G), Alwil Ring (F); Juniors — Madeline Wagner (G), Ella Rice (G), Caroline Corgan (F).
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Brynn Stubbert (G); Freshmen — Kylee Mansir (G), Cyara Harriman (G), Harper Fyfe (G), Chloe Moody (G), Gabby Janik (F).
Season outlook: The Ramblers return key players in the frontcourt and backcourt this season. “We want to get better every day and compete in every game we play,” coach John Baehr said.