Freeport Falcons Winter Sports Preview

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Senior Tony Casale is one of several seniors returning for Freeport’s boys’ basketball team this winter. File photo.

Coach: Tyler Tracy (first year)

2019-20 record: 10-9 (Lost, 59-57, to Maranacook in Class B South quarterfinals)
2020-21 record: 3-7 (no postseason, COVID)

Top returning players: Colby Arsenault (Senior), Jackson Carr (Senior), Danny Casale (Senior), Tony Casale (Senior), Blaine Cockburn (Senior), Keigan Shea (Senior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 11 @ Gray-New Gloucester, Dec. 17 FRYEBURG, Jan. 4 @ Greely, Jan. 11 MT. ARARAT, Jan. 15 YORK, Jan. 17 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 21 YARMOUTH, Jan. 27 CAPE ELIZABETH, Jan. 29 @ Waynflete, Feb. 1 GRAY-NG, Feb. 4 @ Yarmouth, Feb. 7 GREELY, Feb. 9 @ Fryeburg

Coach’s comment: “We have some guys coming back. They’re absorbing everything I’m throwing at them. I think we’ll adjust fine. This is a hard-working, competitive group. They’ve had success in baseball, football and soccer. We’re not overly big, but we’ll be physical. We’ll work to get better every day. I think we’ll be really good at the end.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: The Falcons begin a new era as Tyler Tracy succeeds Bill Ridge as coach. Tracy spent 11 years coaching the Poland boys and led them to the Class B state final in 2014. Tracy inherits a squad that boasts proud athletes who have enjoyed triumph in other sports and are ready to help Freeport compete in its first season at the Class A level.

Cockburn can do it all. The University of Maine-bound baseball player will handle the ball and can distribute and score it. Shea, an underappreciated three-sport athlete, will also see time at the point. Arsenault, who stands 6-foot-4, will scrap and can score inside and outside. Danny Casale will play guard, while Tony Casale will be at forward and they’ll both be key contributors. Carr is another veteran who will have a key impact. Establishing additional depth will be important.

The Falcons aren’t getting much preseason buzz, but this is a team that will show steady growth and will be very dangerous by the time February arrives.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Mason Baker-Schlendering is the seasoned veteran on a young but promising Freeport girls’ basketball team this winter. File photo.

Coach: Seth Farrington (fourth year, 35-16 overall record)

2019-20 record: 15-5 (Lost, 50-40, to Yarmouth in Class B South semifinals)
2020-21 record: 4-6 (no postseason, COVID)

Top returning player: Mason Baker-Schlendering (Senior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 11 GRAY-NG, Dec. 22 BRUNSWICK, Jan. 4 GREELY, Jan. 6 LAKE REGION, Jan. 13 WELLS, Jan. 15 @ York, Jan. 17 CAPE ELIZABETH, Jan. 22 @ Yarmouth, Jan. 27 @ Cape Elizabeth, Feb. 1 @ Gray-New Gloucester, Feb. 4 YARMOUTH, Feb. 7 @ Greely

Coach’s comment: “We have 20 kids in the program and 16 are freshmen, so we’re building for the future. We have a job to do and we’re not going to use our inexperience as a crutch. We’ll keep it simple, execute to the best of our ability and try to stay healthy. We do have a dominant post presence which gives us an advantage. We have a big upside. I think we can compete.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport moving to Class A couldn’t have come at a less optimal time, as after several strong seasons, graduation has taken a big toll and the Falcons have little experience as the 2021-22 season dawns.

Baker-Schlendering played in a regional final as a freshman and was part of a top-seeded squad her sophomore year. This winter, Baker-Schlendering will need to dominate in the post at both ends of the floor, something she’s certainly capable of doing. Junior Angel Pillsbury will play point guard and after that, a passel of youngsters have their opportunity to earn a spot on varsity and make a name for themselves.

How quickly that happens will determine how competitive Freeport will be this season. The Falcons will learn some tough lessons in the weeks to come, but this year’s experience will help immensely going forward and it won’t be long until Freeport is back among the top contenders.

BOYS’ HOCKEY (co-op with South Portland and Waynflete)

Coach: Joe Robinson (15th year, 121-127-11 overall record)

2019-20 record: 12-7-1 (Lost, 5-1, to Lewiston in Class A state semifinals)
2020-21 record: 3-5-1 (no postseason, COVID)

Top returning players: Cullen Adams (Senior), Brady Frank (Senior), Connor Corcoran (Junior), Richie Gilboy (Junior), Dylan Hannan (Junior), Roan Hopkins (Junior), Ian Wright (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 11 FALMOUTH, Dec. 15 @ Lewiston, Dec. 23 PORTLAND/DEERING, Jan. 5 @ St. Dom’s, Jan. 13 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 20 SCARBOROUGH, Jan. 22 @ Biddeford, Feb. 5 LEWISTON, Feb. 10 @ Portland/Deering, Feb. 12 @ Edward Little, Feb. 17 THORNTON ACADEMY, Feb. 19 @ Scarborough, Feb. 22 BIDDEFORD

Coach’s comment: “We have a really strong and talented core. We are a tight-knit group and as long as we stay healthy, we should be able to be successful and make a nice showing in the tournament.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: The South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete co-op team is two years removed from the finest season in program history and even after the lost COVID campaign of 2020-21, is poised for another run at the top of Class A this winter.

Offensively, Adams, a captain, Hannan and Wright, an offensive-minded defenseman, figure to do the lion’s share of the scoring. Frank and Hopkins will also be heard from. Wright is joined on defense by Corcoran and Gilboy. Junior Jasper Curtis will be the goalie with freshman Henry Curtis also seeing some time between the pipes.

South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete has a very challenging schedule and there will be some growing pains this winter, but look for this squad to steadily improve and be at its best when the playoffs begin. No longer a novelty on the big stage, South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete is ready to enjoy another deep postseason run.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY (co-op with Yarmouth)

Coach: David Intraversato (third year, 15-16 overall record)

2019-20 record: 10-10 (Lost, 5-0, to Lewiston in Class A state semifinals)
2020-21 record: 5-6 (no postseason, COVID)

Top returning players: Sadie Carnes (Junior), Kate Tracy (Junior), Chloe White (Junior), Avery Buchanan (Sophomore), Amanda Panciocco (Sophomore), Rosie Panenka (Sophomore), Sophie Smith (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 11 ST. DOM’S, Dec. 18 @ St. Dom’s, Dec. 22 @ Edward Little, Dec. 29 @ Mt. Ararat, Jan. 13 SCARBOROUGH, Jan. 22 FALMOUTH, Jan. 29 MT. ARARAT, Jan. 31 @ Lewiston, Feb. 5 @ Greely

Coach’s comment: “We’re working to play our best at the end of the season and be ready for the tournament. We have a very young team with just two seniors. We need to stay healthy and stay competitive in every game and the wins will come. We can only play one game at a time and hope the puck bounces our way. We are a talented, fast-skating group from rival towns. It’s very important for us to build a good team chemistry. Our captains’ leadership will play a huge role with this. It was just 30 days ago, our two towns, most of these players, were battling each other on the Yarmouth turf during fall sports playoffs in field hockey and soccer. Now, we share the same locker room. Two great, athletic rival towns coming together as one. You can’t ask for a better scenario for a coach. Sign me up.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth and Freeport spent the fall season as rivals in sports like field hockey and soccer, even meeting in the postseason in both sports, with the Clippers eking out one-goal victories. Now, the schools have come together to team up for what could be one of the top girls’ hockey teams in the North region.

The offense is led by Freeport’s Panenka, who scored 13 goals and added eight assists as a freshman. Yarmouth’s Carnes scored seven goals last winter, while Yarmouth’s Smith (eight points in 2020-21) and Buchanan and Freeport’s Tracy also bring speed and veteran experience. Freeport freshman Emma White will be heard from as well. Defensively, Freeport’s Panciocco and Chloe White will serve as anchors and will get help from Yarmouth sophomores Isabelle Peters and Ella Zur Muhlen. Seniors Sydney Abbott and Juliet Meas were vying for the goalie position at press time. Both girls are new to the position.

After opening with a 4-3 loss to Falmouth (despite three points from Panenka) and a 3-0 loss to Lewiston (Abbott made 34 saves), Yarmouth/Freeport is eager to get in the win column. The victories will come and once this squad gains confidence, look out, they’ll be able to compete with anyone. Yarmouth/Freeport will only get better as the season progresses and that’s bad news for whoever might have to face it in the playoffs.

INDOOR TRACK

Coach: Ginger Ivanov (second year)

2019-20 results: Boys’ tie-25th @ Class B state meet; Girls’ tie-14th @ Class B state meet
2020-21 results: No season (COVID)

Top returners:

(Boys) Eric Simmons (Senior), Henry Horne (Junior)

(Girls) Rylee Lyons (Senior), Emily Pagnano (Senior), Riley Simon (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “We return with strong numbers this year. The team is hoping to carry the momentum and enthusiasm from the boys’ state champion cross country team into the indoor track and field season. We enter the season with a contingent of talented athletes that are new to indoor track, but not to the sport. As coaches, we are eager to see their performances and growth from the outdoor season. All the coaches and the team are hoping for a full and healthy season.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport is eager to return to action and with a nice blend of veterans and newcomers, will be heard from throughout the regular season and should post some impressive results in the postseason as well.

The boys’ squad should be strong in the jumps with Horne and Simmons participating. Horne should be a top competitor in distance races. Sophomores Enoch Boudreau (pole vault), Reece Perry (pole vault and jumps) and Will Spaulding (distance) are other athletes to watch.

On the girls’ side, Lyons (shot put), Pagnano (high jump) and Simon (jumps and sprints) are veterans. New juniors Avery Baker-Schlendering (jumps) and Mia Hornschild-Bear (sprints) will play key roles as well.

SWIMMING

Coach: Tom Green (first year)

Swimmers to watch:

(Boys) Brian Brogan (Senior), Devin Lamb (Senior)

(Girls) Audrey Brogan (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We’re an independent team this year, for the first time in many years. I only have 12 kids between the boys’ and girls’ teams, four boys and eight girls. I have three senior boys and one sophomore. On the girls’ side, I have two juniors and six sophomores. The boys won their first meet, the first meet they have won in over a decade. Both teams will be about building for the future and seeing how many can qualify for the state meet. With no seniors and mostly sophomores on the girls’ team, I’m looking forward to seeing how much they improve in the next three years..”

The Forecaster’s forecast: After swimming with Yarmouth for many years, Freeport is a stand-alone program this winter and while the roster is small and young, there are some athletes to watch.

The boys’ team is led by Brogan, an all-around swimmer, who will be most impressive in the breaststroke and freestyle. Lamb will look to score in the butterfly and freestyle.

On the girls’ side, keep an eye on Brogan, who can swim multiple events. Other girls look to make their mark as well as the season progresses.

ALPINE SKIING

Maisy St. Cyr is back for her senior season for Freeport’s girls’ Alpine ski team. File photo.

Coach: Phil Wagner (second year)

2019-20 record: Boys’ 11th @ Class B state meet; Girls’ 6th @ Class B state meet
2020-21 record: No season (COVID)

Top returners:

(Boys) Sam Maneikis (Senior), Andrew Morrissey (Senior), Bobby Strong (Senior)

(Girls) Maisy St. Cyr (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “We’re looking forward to a full season of competition this year. We’re returning a number of quality skiers and should be very competitive, especially on the girls’ side, where we have our largest and most competitive group in many years. If we race as well as we can, we’ll be in hunt for the top three. The boys’ team will be much stronger this year. We return a number of quality racers and with the addition of some solid depth, should have a very successful season.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport expects to be a top contender again this winter.

The girls’ team could make a run at the top spot. Maisy St. Cyr placed 11th in the slalom and 20th in the giant slalom two years ago and will be among the best this season. Sophomores Luciana Bourgeois, Frida Jakobsen, Alexa Scott and Rosie St. Cyr and freshman Jessie Landsbergen look to step in and make an impact as well.

On the boys’ side, Maineikis (45th in the GS) scored at states two years ago. He, along with veterans Morrissey and Strong, will lead the way this season. Three freshman, Ben Barrett, Elias Burrell and Ansel Goode, provide depth.

NORDIC SKIING

Coach: Elysha Dyer (first year)

2019-20 record: Boys’ Class B state champions; Girls’ 4th @ Class B state meet
2020-21 record: No postseason (COVID)

Top returners:

(Boys) Al Dawson, Sam Robinson

(Girls) Jillian Wight

Coach’s comment: “We hope to push the boys’ team to be the best they can be. We have a strong crew, so we’re just pushing them so that they get what they want out of the season. We have a small girls’ team so our focus there will be more on individual results.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport has long been a power on the trails and that should continue this season. The Falcons will certainly be eager to show what they can do at the state meet, after it was cancelled a year ago.

Robinson, who was sixth in the classic at the Class B state meet in 2020 and fourth in the skate at last year’s Western Maine Conference meet, is a top returner. Dawson, 31st in the classic and 33rd in the skate two years ago at states and 15th in the skate at last year’s WMC meet, is another key veteran. Owen Dawson joins the squad and will help the cause as well.

On the girls’ side, Wight, who was sixth in the freestyle and eighth in the classic at the 2020 state meet and sixth at last year’s WMC skate meet, leads the way.