1. Portland: The Bulldogs have won three straight regional titles and last year’s first-ever AA state championship. With player of the year candidate Terion Moss running the show – along with clever scorer Griffin Foley and veteran banger Charlie Lyall back in the starting lineup – they are the favorites until proven otherwise, even though AA North is stacked. A veteran squad from Edward Little and likely improved Windham join perennials Deering and Cheverus as worthy contenders. What Portland has and will develop further is superior depth. Coach Joe Russo, in his 27th season, helps, too.

2. Thornton Academy: Two key transfers have coaches picking the Golden Trojans as the favorite in AA South. Senior point guard Austin Boudreau was a three-year varsity player at Cheverus, where he was a third-team SMAA choice as a junior. Evan Christensen is a senior guard/forward who previously played at Old Orchard Beach. They join junior David Keohan to form one of the state’s top trios. There could be a brief adjustment period, but since Boudreau lives in OOB and went to middle school in Saco, the group probably has established chemistry. Jon Fogg, at 6-5, adds inside presence.

3. Greely: The Rangers were upset last season in a Class A South semifinal by a strong Brunswick team. They enter this year as the favorite in the division, with seniors Jordan Bagshaw, Matt McDevitt and Ryan Twitchell all capable of putting up big offensive nights. Bagshaw can shoot or drive, while the 6-6 McDevitt is a matchup problem because he can step outside and drain the 3. Focus on those two, and Twitchell will get loose within 15 feet. With good overall team size and depth, Greely gets the nod ahead of defending Class A champ Falmouth.

4. Deering: The Rams went 16-3 last season, losing three times to Portland. They graduated four starters but return three key reserves to go with strongman center Raffaele Salamone. They also added a tough guard from Houston (Ricky Despacho) and are anticipating the liftoff of sophomore Ben Onek into a full-fledged varsity force. JeanClaude Butera played a bunch as the backup point guard and is ready to take the reins. Manny Chikuta can stuff the stat sheet. And Machar Nguany is a 6-3 player who was hampered by injuries. If the pieces all fit, the Rams can win it all.

5. Falmouth: Colin Coyne showed two years ago he could run the show when his brother, Tom (now playing at Bates), was injured. This year he’s definitely the guard in charge. His ability to protect the basketball while still making plays means Falmouth is going to be in every game. Sean Walsh, a 6-7 threat inside and out, is the other returning starter. In the backcourt, senior Ben Simonds and junior Jack Bryant saw time during the title run. If Niko DePatsy, a 6-5 junior, and freshman Michael Simonds improve as expected, Coyne will have enough targets for his pinpoint passes.

6. South Portland: The Red Riots were expected to be a power, then went 9-9 in the regular season before getting hot in the playoffs. They went to double overtime before losing to Portland in the state final. This year, the Riots won’t be as big but figure to be quicker. Ruay Bol, a 6-5 senior, is the team’s most exciting player, capable of a big dunk or a midrange jumper. The team may have more scoring options this year with seniors Ansell Stilley, Deandre White (point guard), Moses Oreste and Cam Deiley ready to make consistent contributions, as is junior shooter Noah Malone. Riley Hasson adds contagious energy.

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7. York: The Wildcats return four starters from a team that went 7-3 after a 2-7 start. Trevor LaBonte is a player of the year candidate, able to play all over the court at 6-6. Junior guards Payton Small and Alex Nickerson were thrown into the fire because of injuries last year and now have big-game experience. With a good mix of veterans, size and depth, the Wildcats have the pieces to be a surprise team in Class A South, moving ahead of perennial powers Brunswick and Cape Elizabeth.

8. Brunswick: The Dragons reached the Class A South final last season, but a lot of their scoring departed with the graduation of Thomas Hanson and the transfer of Caleb Cost (private school in Massachusetts). Senior guards Josh Dorr and Jesse Devereaux must find a way to distribute the ball to inside threats Corban Teel and Colby Bucknam while still getting their own offense.

9. Yarmouth: The Clippers have a potent big-man combination with 6-7 Alek Medenica and 6-6 junior Nolan Hagerty. Both can shoot the 3, but the offense, which will be run by Johnny Torres, is designed to get the ball inside. That will open things up for shooting guard Noah Eckersley-Ray. Last season, Yarmouth reached the South final, losing to eventual state champ Lake Region. If Yarmouth slips, Wells could be the team to step forward, as it returns its entire starting lineup.

10. Cheverus: The Stags probably need to find some more complementary pieces to be able to get past Portland, Edward Little and Deering, but the combo of 6-4 guard Jack Casale and 6-5 forward Jesse Matthews will present problems. They combined for more than 28 points and nearly 13 rebounds last season. Coach Ryan Soucie says the slender Matthews has improved dramatically as a finisher at the rim.

 


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