Diing Maiwen of Edward Little drives to the hoop against Lewiston during a January game in Auburn. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

Cole Bard, Winthrop senior: One of several returning Ramblers heavy on experience (the entire 2023-24 roster is back), the 6-foot-3 Bard is coming off a season in which he averaged 12.4 points and six rebounds and was voted second-team All-Mountain Valley Conference.

Jace Bessey, Spruce Mountain senior: The four-year starter enters the season 40 points shy of 1,000 for his career. Bessey averaged 17.6 points and four steals per game and earned first-team All-MVC recognition last season.

Abdirahman Dakane, Lewiston senior: Earned AA North second-team honors and should be one of the region’s top players again this season. Averaged 14.2 points, five rebounds and two steals per game as a junior.

Cai Dougher, Spruce Mountain junior: Another Mountain Valley Conference first-teamer for the Phoenix in 2023-24, when he scored 12 points, grabbed four rebounds and made 2.5 steals per game.

Krosby Harvey, Buckfield sophomore: Burst onto the scene as a freshman, leading the Bucks in scoring (12.4 per game), steals (3.9) and assists (2.9) while pulling down 4.4 rebounds per game.

Reiley Hedden, Telstar/Gould senior: Scored 15.8 points and averaged 4.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and about a block per game for the Rebels. Will again team up with second-leading scorer Brody Morgan (12 ppg) as Telstar plays a mostly Class D schedule this year in hopes of improving its standing in D South.

Levi Laverdiere, Monmouth sophomore: The second-leading scorer (13.3 points per game) for the Class C champs last season. This year, he’ll be relied on even more by a much younger group of Mustangs.

Diing Maiwen, Edward Little senior: AA North honorable mention and all-defense selection is the top returning scorer for the Red Eddies, coming off a season in which he averaged 13 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.2 blocks. Plays with both athleticism and grit.

Damon Martin, Poland junior: Ranked in the top 10 in the Western Maine Conference in scoring (16.6 per game) and steals (2.4). Also knocked down 38 3-pointers, averaged 3.8 rebounds and 3.2 steals.

John Patenaude, Gray-New Gloucester senior: The lone returning starter from last year’s Class A state championship team. Was the A South tournament MVP. Averaged 17.9 points per game last year and enters this season 60 points away from reaching 1,000 in his career.

Colin Schlobohm, Leavitt sophomore: Had a solid freshman campaign, leading the Hornets in scoring (11.1 points per game), rebounding (6.3), assists (1.7) and steals (1.7), while shooting 70% from the free-throw line and 30% from 3-point range.

Lonnie Thomas, Lewiston senior: Nearly averaged a double-double last season, tallying 12 points and nine rebounds per game to go along with 2.7 blocks. Received AA North honorable mention.

Taylor Varney, St. Dom’s senior: Named to Western Maine Conference Class C/D first team after averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, four assists and 2.4 steals last season, while helping the Saints reach the D South final.

Nathaniel Wainwright, Dirigo senior: A key contributor as a sophomore to the Cougars’ 2022-23 state championship team, Wainwright took the lead last year and averaged 18.6 points, 8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 3.5 steals, earning Mountain Valley Conference first-team honors.

Bryce Wilcox, Mt. Abram senior: Put up 20 or more points three times in 2023-24, finishing the season averaging 12 points per game while shooting 39.2% from 3-point range. Also grabbed six rebounds per game and was named second-team All-MVC.