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1. Spruce Mountain: The Phoenix went 18-2 and earned the No. 1 seed in the Class B South semifinals last season. Now in Class C, Spruce Mountain has a number of solid returning players, highlighted by Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year Maddie Grimaldi, who averaged 17 points and 10 rebounds. If Spruce Mountain maintains its fast-paced aggressive style of play, it can go far in C South.

2. Gray-New Gloucester: The Patriots went 16-5 and reached the Class A South final last season. They took a big loss with the graduation of forward Izzy Morelli, who averaged 16.5 points and 7.7 rebounds. But Gray-New Gloucester has 11 returners, including three starters. The group is led by senior forward Ella Kenney and junior guard Abbey Steele. The scoring will have to be more balanced, but the Patriots should contend in Class B South.

3. Leavitt: The Hornets went 13-7 in Class B South before falling to Medomak Valley in the quarterfinals. Leavitt graduated a pair of key players in guards Caitlyn McCoy and Katie Sirois but returns multiple starters. The offense is led by senior forward Gabrielle Smith (12 ppg) and Jordyn Boulay (10 ppg). The development of new starters Elizabeth Kowalski and Sophia Poulin, both sophomores, will help determine how far the Hornets can go in B South.

4. Poland: The Knights are making the transition from Class C to Class B but have enough talent returning to contend. Junior Charlotte Grenier averaged 13.7 points and 4.1 steals per game last season. She is be joined by junior Phoebe Paradis, who averaged 9.3 points, five assists and 4.9 steals. The Knights will focus heavily on the defensive end while keeping an up-tempo style on offense.

5. Lewiston: The Blue Devils will have tough competition in Class A North, but they return two of their top scorers — Bailey Tardif-Mockler averaged 12.3 points per game and Ella Beaudoin added 11.2 per game. The Blue Devils were also able to develop some depth last season. If those players can continue to develop, Lewiston can make a run.