Biddeford Tigers
Coach/years: Liz Bell, first year
Last year’s results: 3-15
Key returning players: Senior, Abby Hale; juniors, Charlotte White, Brittany Roy; sophomore, Kendra Cote
Key newcomer: Freshman, Brook Davis
Key losses: Bailey Cote (graduation), Carissa Gelinas (injury)
Coach’s outlook: “We plan to play a system-oriented brand of basketball with a strong emphasis on team defense. Although being an inexperienced team in a rebuilding year, we fully intend to be competitive in every game by displaying mental toughness and a ”˜refuse to let your teammate fail’ mentality.”
Kennebunk Rams
Coach/years:Rob Sullivan, 19th year
Last year’s results: Did not qualify for playoffs
Key returning players: 10 returning players that will all play a key role for us this year
Key newcomers:Sophomores, Marran Oakman (guard/forward), Eliza Bartlett (guard), Anna Cressey (center)
Key loss: Hayley Richardson (guard)
Coach’s outlook: “Outstanding group of workers that have returned from a rough season with a great work ethic and passion to improve. An extremely scrappy team that will steadily improve throughout the season and will never stop.”
Massabesic Mustangs
Coach/years: Holly McHale, fourth year
Last year’s results: 2-16
Key returning players: Captains, Karlie Pike (senior), Emma Desrochers (sophomore)
Key newcomers: Junior, Haleigh Couture; freshmen, Madi Drain, Devon Baert, Jackie Bearse, Morgan Pike
Key losses: Junior captain Emma Cost to a season-ending knee injury
Coach’s outlook: “Young team but athletic and passionate. (It’s a) rebuilding year.”
Old Orchard Beach Seagulls
Coach/years: Dean Plante, 12th year total (fifth consecutive)
Last year’s results: 14-6, lost in Western Class C quarterfinals
Key returning players: Mackenzie Rague, Haley Plante, Abby Dubois, Lauralee Small, Peyton Feitz, Vanessa Hebert
Key newcomers: Brianna Plante, Tiffany Leclair, Victoria Niedzwiecki
Key losses: Kelsey Custeau
Coach’s outlook: “We have four starters back, three of whom have started since they were freshmen. This group has tournament experience and we feel we have a chance to win each night we go out. Class C is very balanced and eight to 10 teams have a chance to represent the west this year. Health and improving our bench contributions will be keys to our success. Our goal is to once again make the tournament and then we will take our chances.”
Sanford Spartans
Coach/years: Kristy Parent, 15th year
Last year’s results: 9-9, lost in Western Class A prelims
Key returning players: Laura Kirkpatrick, Hannah Howes, Liz Bougie, Lynzie Nadeau
Key losses: Morgan Fogg, Shelby Paiement, Grace Riley
Coach’s outlook: The Spartans have a big hole after losing Morgan Fogg ”“ one of the SMAA’s best players last year ”“ to graduation. The Spartans do return much of their roster from last season, and some young players from last season have a year of experience under their belts.
Thornton Academy Golden Trojans
Coach/years: Eric Marston, fifth year
Last year’s results: 16-3, lost in Western Class A quarterfinals
Key returning players: Katie McCrum, Ashley Howe, Abby Strickland, Isabella Robinson
Key newcomers: Alex Hart (freshman), Hayden and Barrett Campbell (Lincoln Academy transfers), Victoria Lux (McAuley transfer)
Key losses: Olivia Shaw, Lauren Leskowsky, Hannah Murphy
Coach’s outlook: The Trojans lose two captains from last year in Shaw and Murphy, as well as post player Leskowsky. But they return four core players in McCrum, Howe, Strickland and Robinson, and Lux is a big addition after playing at McAuley ”“ where she won three state championships ”“ the last three years.
Wells Warriors
Coach/years: Don Abbott, ninth year
Last year’s results: 16-2 during the regular season, lost to No. 1 Lake Region in Western Maine final
Key returning players: Sophomores: Ally O’Brien (guard), Natalie Thurber (guard), Taryn Lambert (forward)
Key newcomers: Sophomores, Hannah Moody (guard), Halee Ramsdell (center), Alyssa Loukola (forward); freshman, Leah Tufts (forward)
Key losses: Nine seniors, including Ms. Maine Basketball semifinalist and Butler Award winner Alison Furness, Nicki Moody, Sophie Lamb, Jordan Agger, Steph Woods
Coach’s outlook: “We will certainly be the youngest team in our league, starting five sophomores. We have a nucleus of young, hard-working kids who are committed to the process of competing and getting better every day. We will continue to develop our culture and hope to be playing our best basketball in February.”
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