BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Jeff Mitchell (fourth year, 29-23 overall record)

2022-23 record: 11-9 (Lost, 54-51, to Oceanside in Class B South quarterfinals)

Top returning player: Alex van Huystee (Senior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 12 @ Lincoln Academy, Dec. 15 YARMOUTH, Dec. 19 @ Leavitt, Dec. 27 FREEPORT, Jan. 2 @ York, Jan. 13 @ Yarmouth, Jan. 19 GREELY, Jan. 30 YORK

Coach’s comment: “We have a lot of new faces. We had 10 seniors last year and we lost all five starters. It’s a very coachable group. It’s just a case of getting experience. We’re pretty small this year. No true center. We’ll rely on our athleticism and our defense. We’ll have to find enough points as a group, but we’re probably a better shooting group this year. It’s not about where you start but where you finish. Our plan is to get in to the tournament and see what happens.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth saved its best for last a year ago, winning a preliminary round tournament game, then nearly shocking top-ranked, heavily favored Oceanside in the quarterfinals before falling just short. The Capers then graduated just about everyone who saw major minutes. Plenty of talent remains, but it’s raw and it will take awhile for this squad to gain varsity experience.

Van Huystee is the lone returner who played a lot. He’ll play guard and could be a top scorer. He’s a three-sport standout (soccer and lacrosse) and will be a big part of this year’s success. Junior point guard Eli Smith, senior guard Gabe Berman and senior forward JJ Schultzel will be in the scoring mix as well. Senior forwards Owen Bromage and Ceroi Mello will play strong defense and look to grab rebounds.

Cape Elizabeth doesn’t have the luxury of taking its time getting up to speed. The schedule is daunting and the Capers need to win enough games to qualify for the tournament. Once this group sees some minutes, it will be ready to go toe-to-toe with anyone. Cape Elizabeth will be a vastly different team by February, where again it will be poised to give a highly ranked team a scare, or even a loss.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Chris Casterella (17th year)

2022-23 record: 4-14 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Grace Callahan (Senior), Emma Phillips Vila (Senior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 15 @ Yarmouth, Dec. 28 FREEPORT, Jan. 4 @ Waynflete, Jan. 13 YARMOUTH, Jan. 19 @ Greely

Coach’s comment: “We return four players and have nine freshman, so it’s going to be interesting. The freshmen have some height. We’re raw but we have athletes. We’ll show a lot of progress this season. There’s a lot of upside. The kids are great.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Casterella has worked a lot of magic over the years but this might be her most daunting challenge, as the Capers have just a couple players with varsity experience and a big group of newcomers who need to quickly get up to speed to help the team compete.

Vila will be the point guard. Callahan could be a top scoring threat. Sophomores Genevieve Carignan and Mei Martinez can also play guard. Freshman Kelsey Law, a goalie in soccer, could step right in and make a major impact. After that, the hope is other girls will quickly come of age.

There is promise for the future with a young nucleus and some talented classes coming along. This year, Cape Elizabeth’s hope is simply to show steady improvement.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Chris Howe (first year)

2022-23 record: 19-2 (Beat Messalonskee, 4-3, to win Class B state title)

Top returning players: Colin Blackburn (Senior), Aidan Mansmann (Senior), Brady Hanisko (Junior), Nathan Hanisko (Junior), Alex Mainville (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 12 @ Brunswick/Freeport, Dec. 20 @ Leavitt, Dec. 22 @ Biddeford, Dec. 28 YORK, Jan. 11 @ Cheverus/Yarmouth, Jan. 20 GREELY, Jan. 25 @ Greely, Feb. 3 @ York, Feb. 8 CHEVERUS/YARMOUTH, Feb. 15 LEAVITT, Feb. 22 BRUNSWICK/FREEPORT

Coach’s comment: “With a new coaching staff and fresh player roles, our team embraces change as an opportunity for growth and reinvention. Despite the departure of key players, graduating 12 seniors from last year’s Class B state championship team, I am confident that our relatively young team, led by a resilient core and an enthusiastic approach should keep us competitive.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: After a series of close calls, Cape Elizabeth ascended back to the pinnacle in memorable fashion last winter. Graduation then took a big toll, as multiple all-stars departed, and Jake Rutt stepped down as coach, meaning the Capers are starting fresh this season. Taking over on the bench is Howe, who played goalie at Gardiner and later at Lindenwood University. He takes over a squad that still features some top-notch talent and should remain in the title hunt.

Blackburn was a third-team all-star a year ago, scoring 21 goals and adding seven assists. He’ll pace the forward line, along with Brady Hanisko (5 goals, 8 assists) and Mainville (3 assists). An abundance of newer players will have a chance to step in and make a mark as well. Defensively, Mansmann is the top returner. Nathan Hanisko (1.9 goals against average and an .894 save percentage in eight games) made the All-Rookie team last winter and the goalie job will be his exclusively this time around after Charlie Garvin graduated.

Class B South is as deep as ever and there will be few easy games. The Capers will need some time to figure out who plays best where, but this team’s upside is high. Look for another winning campaign and for this group to be in the hunt for another trophy by the time all is said and done.

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

Coach: Bob Mills (12th year, 105-91-8 overall record)

2022-23 record: 11-8 (Lost, 4-3, in overtime, to Gorham in South Region quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Becca Good (Senior), Erin Winship (Senior), Marina Bassett (Junior), Jane Flynn (Junior), Libby Hooper (Junior), Hartson Mosunic (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 14 CHEVERUS, Dec. 23 @ Penobscot, Jan. 11 GORHAM, Jan. 18 PENOBSCOT, Jan. 25 @ Cheverus, Jan. 27 @ Gorham, Feb. 3 YARMOUTH/FREEPORT

Coach’s comment: “We have a highly skilled set of returning starters and a deeper bench than we’ve had in the past. If we stay healthy, we should be very competitive. Our goal is to be playing deep into the playoffs.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: One of the most successful co-op teams around gets even more robust this winter, as Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/South Portland adds some talented players from Portland as well. Now known as the Beacons, the squad is already off to a dazzling 4-0 start, defeating Greely, Winslow, Yarmouth/Freeport and York by a composite 33-14 margin, and the best is yet to come.

The offense will be prolific thanks to South Portland’s Bassett (30 goals and 19 assists during an all-state campaign last winter) and Portland’s Flynn (37 goals during an all-state season). Cape Elizabeth’s Hooper (14 goals, 11 assists) and Waynflete’s Good (3 goals, 4 assists) are other top threats. Cape Elizabeth senior Evelyn Agrodnia, the soccer standout and former ice skater extraordinaire, is new to hockey but figures to make an impact as well. Flynn is technically a defender and will help shut down the opposition along with Cape Elizabeth’s Mosunic (4 goals, 4 assists last season) and Waynflete freshman Alexis Turner. Portland’s Winship will be strong in goal.

The Beacons are poised to do great things. Like everyone else, they’re chasing defending state champion Cheverus, but by season’s end, there might be no one better than this collection of talent.

INDOOR TRACK

Coach: Doug Worthley (27th year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) tie-18th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 8th @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Colin Brady (Senior), Oliver Hardin (Senior), Seb Hesser (Senior), Finn Morris (Senior), Luke Notestine (Sophomore), Mason Shur (Sophomore), Henry Trowbridge (Sophomore)
(Girls) Emily Noble (Senior), Piper Rickman (Senior), Emma Young (Senior), Sloan Gardner (Sophomore), Adelaide Mazzeo (Sophomore), Addison Young (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “As always, the York and Greely girls will be at the top of the conference, and at states, while we look forward to a lot of growth of a young team with great leadership from the seniors. The boys have a few athletes who will make a mark at states. With 75 percent of the team being ninth and 10th graders, we look forward to a lot of growth from all the athletes.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth enters the new season with a lot of question marks, but there is no shortage of promising athletes ready to step up.

The girls’ team will be led by Emma Young, who was runner-up in the 800 at last year’s state meet. She’ll be strong again in the distance races, along with Mazzeo and Addison Young. Rickman is a top returning sprinter. Gardner (shot put) and Noble (jumps) lead the way on the field side. Sophomore Ava Daviault and freshmen Reagan Cajan, Shyla McVeigh and Ayla Nappier will provide depth in the sprints and jumps.

The boys’ team has strength in the distance races, behind Hesser and Morris, as well as the sprints, thanks to Notestine and Trowbridge. Sophomore Liam Nudd and freshman Quentin Lombard add depth in the distance, while senior Wyatt Stoughton and junior Logan McVeigh will also be strong in the sprints. Brady, Hardin and Shur look to score in the shot put.

SWIMMING

Coach: Ben Raymond (17th year, 10 state championships)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) Class B state champions
(Girls) Class B state champions

Top returners:

(Boys) Weston Lowe (Senior), Jack McCormick (Senior), Cormac McKenney (Senior), David Steinbrick (Senior), Tiger McCormick (Junior), Graham Plourde (Junior), Ian Connolly (Sophomore), Nick Eremita (Sophomore)
(Girls) Cookie Mahoney (Senior), Hadley Mahoney (Senior), Jersi McGonigal (Junior), Lucy Shaw (Junior), Hope Taylor (Junior), Audrey Alberts (Sophomore), Hannah Frothingham (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “Our hope for the season is to qualify all of our girls for the state meet. We have a smaller team than we’ve had in previous years, so we’ll need all of our girls to score points if we are going to be as successful as we were last year. We have great leadership in Cookie and Hadley and our team is made up of excellent swimmers.  We return most of our scorers from last season, which is great, but so do most of the top teams. During our dual meet season, we will focus on qualifying as many athletes as we can for as many events as we can so we are prepared for the championship portion of our season. I’m really looking forward to this season. It’s a fun group to work with.

“This is a special boys’ team. We’re led by a very talented group of seniors. I’m excited to see our seniors lead this group during the season. We need to qualify as many athletes as possible and continue to push each other in training each day. They’re a competitive group and that makes things fun each day. It’s exciting for me as a coach to try and continue to find ways to challenge our top level swimmers and help them continue to improve and swim fast each day. This team is focused on being the best it can be and if we get there, we will be among the top teams in the state.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth is in the midst of another golden age, as the boys’ and girls’ squads have combined for nine state championships over the past 11 seasons, including sweeps of Class B each of the past two years. Don’t be surprised if that trend continues this winter.

The boys return individual state champions McKenney (100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke), Plourde (200 individual medley) and Steinbrick (100 freestyle and 200 freestyle). McKenney can swim everything from sprint freestyle to the IM to the backstroke and will score a lot of points in the weeks to come. Plourde also has the freestyle, fly and breaststroke in his repertoire. Steinbrick doesn’t just excel in the freestyle. He’ll also score in the IM, fly and backstroke. That’s just the beginning. The Capers also feature Jack McCormick (second in both the 50 free and backstroke last year), Lowe (eighth in the 200 free) and Connolly (eighth in the 500 free), Eremita (sprint freestyle and breaststroke), Tiger McCormick (freestyle, fly and backstroke) and promising freshmen Will Harmon (freestyle, IM, fly, backstroke, breaststroke) and Spencer Shaw (IM, freestyle, breaststroke). Good luck matching up with that firepower and depth.

On the girls’ side, the story is similarly prolific. Reigning individual state champions include Cookie Mahoney (IM and 100 free), Shaw (200 free) and Taylor (500 free). Mahoney can also swim the backstroke and breaststroke, Shaw can be a factor in the IM, fly and backstroke and Taylor also swims the IM and backstroke. Hadley Mahoney, who was second in the 200 free and third in the 50 free last season, is poised to reach the top of the podium herself. Alberts (fourth in the fly and sixth in the IM a year ago) also will compete in the backstroke and freestyle. Other veterans include Frothingham (IM, fly, freestyle and breaststroke) and McGonigal (freestyle, backstroke). Freshmen Dove Brown (freestyle, IM, fly, breaststroke), Elisa Dew (IM, freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke) and Vivienne Parsons (IM, freestyle, backstroke) are also in the mix. The Capers are poised to leave the opposition in their wake yet again.

ALPINE SKIING

Coach: Devon Lathrop (first year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 2nd @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 5th @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Keegan Lathrop (Senior), Logan Schwartz (Senior), Leo Matzkin (Junior), Porter Monson (Sophomore)
(Girls) Phoebe Altenburg (Senior), Laura Clark (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “Our goal this season is to take home gold in states as a team. We are focused on gaining confidence physically and mentally, as well as building a strong team bond. It’s a group of athletic kids who are ready to dominate.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Cape Elizabeth welcomes back a familiar face in Devon Lathrop, a one-time program standout, as its coach this winter. He inherits a squad poised to excel in the conference season, as well as in February.

The boys’ squad returns Schwartz, who won both the slalom and giant slalom a year ago. Keegan Lathrop (third in the GS, fifth in the slalom) will be a force to be reckoned with as well. Matzkin and Monson will also be strong as the Capers look to finish atop the heap.

The girls’ team features veterans Altenburg and Clark and will also turn heads in the weeks to come.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. For game updates and links to game stories, follow him on Threads: @foresports2023

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.

« Previous

Yarmouth Clippers Winter Sports Preview

Next »

Scarborough Red Storm Winter Sports Preview