Girls’ Basketball Overview

Class A

The defending Eastern A champs from Skowhegan graduated four seniors, but still have ample talent returning, including starters Adrienne Davis and Whitney Jones. Brunswick, which lost to the Indians in the regional final, graduated five, but still have a strong post presence with Lydia Caputi and Emily Bryant. Hampden reached the semifinals last year and graduated no seniors. Tourney teams like Mt. Ararat, Morse, and Messalonskee all lost significant talent while clubs like Cony and Bangor should rebound.

Edward Little was the top local club, taking second in Eastern A, but struggled down the stretch because of injury. The Red Eddies graduated Kirsten Prue and Kayla Cummings and lost post player Crissy Lewis to Oxford Hills. EL’s defense is usually good enough to keep them competitive. How the offense evolves could determine just what kind of playoff seeding EL could earn.

Oxford Hills graduated four seniors and has only Abbie Eastman as a returning starter. Lewis will help the post game and the Vikings should be a sound defensive club as well. Replacing most of their offense will be the biggest chore.

Both Mt. Blue and Lewiston went winless last year. The Cougars have most of last year’s club back and hopes to improve. The Blue Devils have just a few regulars returning and a roster full of newcomers.

Class B

Leavitt should be another force and contender in Western B. The Hornets  graduated one and return all their regulars, including guards Courtney Anderson, Kristen Anderson and forward Adrie Newton. After winning 17 regular-season games and the KVAC crown, Leavitt lost to Greely in the semifinals. It is a tough act to follow, but the Hornets certainly have the makings of another contender.

The defending state champs from York could be the biggest obstacle in Western B. The Wildcats graduated just four and return center Nicole Taylor from a team that went unbeaten last year.

Both Greely and Lake Region suffered significant graduation losses, but both clubs are tough to keep out of the playoff hunt. Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth were both playoff teams last year that return most of their squads.

Mountain Valley won 11 games and earned the sixth seed last year and return a promising team. Ayla Allen, McKenzie Paterson, Breana Roberts and Lindsay Gallant are all returning starters for a Falcon team that should earn a tourney spot out of the MVC.

Lisbon was the fifth seed last year and lost a number of key players, including MVC South Player of the Year Renee Moore. The Greyhounds still return eight players and could also be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

Gray-New Gloucester was the seventh seed last year and returns three starters, including four-year veterans Meghan Dehetre and Alicia Valente and point guard Rachel Edson.

Oak Hill has just missed the tourney the last two years and will be after a postseason spot. The Raiders return five players that saw starting time last year including all-conference pick Maggie Sabine.

Poland went 1-17 last year but has a young promising team that could surprise some people.

Class C

The MVC could be very interesting this year. Madison and Hall-Dale were two of the top C teams last year, but suffered heavy graduations losses. Hall-Dale still has Taylor Massey in the post, while Madison could bounce back  as well. Jay should be a threat with Beth Moore back in the post and Alannah White, Alexi Deering, Brittany DiPompo and Alexis Blodgett all returning. Dirigo is very young and has just a few regulars back, but they include all-conference player Hannah Knight.

After a big splash last year in Mark Simpson’s first year, Livermore Falls should be solid again with guard Kathryn Ventrella and forward Marissa Welch leading the way. St. Dom’s returns the MVC’s top scorer in Allaina Murphy and could be another playoff team.

Winthrop and Monmouth are both young teams looking to improve upon last year while Mt. Abram could be a young up-and-coming squad after going 1-17.

Outside the MVC, Waynflete returns almost all of its team last year, minus Morgan Woodhouse, while Traip only lost a few.

Class D

Rangeley was hit hard by injury and relocation before the season even started. The Lakers lost four guards including all-star veteran Allie Hammond. The Lakers still have a solid club that could overcome that adversity. Chantal and Emily Carrier are both returning to the post. Sierra Machacos and Jenney Abbott are also returning starters.

The regional champs from Greenville should be a contender again, despite graduating six. Gretel Breton could lead the Lakers back to contention. Richmond won 17 games last year, but bowed out early. The Bobcats graduated four and have a team that might have some unfinished business in Augusta. Vinalhaven was second in Western D last year but lost a sizable lead to Greenville in the semifinal. The Vikings have a new coach and new core of veterans that could put them in the tourney hunt.

Buckfield graduated Ashlee Hamann but should improve with a new coach and most of last year’s team back.

Valley and Forest Hills could also rebound after missing the tourney last year, while clubs like Hebron, Kents Hill and Greater Portland Christian return most of their teams and could return to the tourney.