Freeport Falcons Winter Sports Preview

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Senior JT Pound is a top returner for Freeport’s boys’ basketball team. He’ll be a force at both ends of the floor. File photos.

Coach: Tyler Tracy (third year, 14-22 overall record)

2022-23 record: 5-13 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Max Maneikis (Senior), Will Maneikis (Senior), JT Pound (Senior), Connor Slocum (Senior), Conner Smith (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 9 NOBLE, Dec. 15 @ Greely, Dec. 18 BIDDEFORD, Dec. 23 @ Yarmouth, Dec. 27 CAPE ELIZABETH, Jan. 4 WESTBROOK, Jan. 9 YORK, Jan. 25 @ Kennebunk, Feb. 2 GRAY-NG, Feb. 6 @ Falmouth

Coach’s comment: “It’s the same group as last year. Last year, we had six losses by seven points or less. We struggled late in games and hopefully, we’ll flip that. My top five guys are really strong. After that, we’re figuring out who can do what. We have high expectations. We had a very strong summer and a good preseason. Hopefully we’ll carry our confidence into the season. We’re unique in how we play. If we can take care of the ball and play at our pace, we can be very good. I think we’re close, but a lot of teams are close. It’s a great group and it would be awesome for them to have a good year.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: The Falcons were oh-so-close to several more victories last winter, which would have spelled a playoff berth and had that happened, who knows how deep a run this team could have enjoyed. The what-if game is fun to play, but ultimately meaningless as that opportunity has come and gone. This year’s squad is ready to turn things around and be a factor throughout. It won’t be easy, but there is a lot of talent on the roster.

Junior Conner Smith is a guard to watch for the Falcons.

Pound was a second-team league all-star in 2022-23 and will be a force inside and out. Slocum made the All-Defensive team a year ago. He’s a top guard, along with Smith and Max Maneikis. Will Maneikis is another proven commodity in the frontcourt. Freeport will look to get up and down the floor and can score in the paint and from behind the arc.

The Falcons will be competitive with everyone they face. Can they turn close losses from a year ago into victories this time around? With another year of experience under its belt, you have to believe Freeport will enjoy more success. When all is said and done, this group will be a tough out.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Sophomore Emily Groves is coming off a state title in field hockey and hopes to lead Freeport’s girls’ basketball team to another deep playoff run.

Coach: Seth Farrington (sixth year, 52-37 overall record)

2022-23 record: 11-9 (Lost, 45-36, to Gray-New Gloucester in Class A South semifinals)

Top returning players: Maddie Cormier (Junior), Sydney Gelhar (Junior), Mia Levesque (Junior), Emily Groves (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 8 @ Deering, Dec. 15 GREELY, Dec. 23 YARMOUTH, Jan. 6 MT. ARARAT, Jan. 9 YORK, Jan. 23 @ Yarmouth, Jan. 27 BRUNSWICK, Feb. 2 @ Gray-New Gloucester

Coach’s comment: “We’re battling the injury bug, but we have a chance to have a solid year. We’ll have to do it by committee. These kids will give me everything they’ve got. If we showed anything last year, no one will want to play us come tournament time. I think we’ll be in it and we hope to peak in February.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport saved its best for last a year ago, stunning Mt. Ararat in the quarterfinals before bowing out. Standout Angel Pillsbury will be missed, but the Falcons return plenty of talent, including some girls who recently won state titles in lacrosse and/or field hockey. While junior sparkplug Izzy Orlando won’t be available due to a season-ending knee injury and while Levesque is sidelined until the new year with a foot injury, there are reasons to believe this group will still be a force.

Junior Sydney Gelhar is another key returner for the Falcons.

Groves was a top post presence as a freshman (averaging 9.4 rebounds per game) and this winter, look for her to not only score inside, but to step out and help facilitate the offense. Cormier (2.6 assists per contest in 2022-23) is another top threat in the frontcourt, along with sophomore Abby Cormier. Freeport’s guard play will be an asset, as Gelhar has experience, Levesque will help the cause when she returns and junior Lana DiRusso, who played as a freshman, will also play a key role. Freshman Abby Giroux could step right in and made a major impact as well.

The Falcons will need some time to hit their stride, but the pieces are in place for another memorable campaign. Like last year’s squad, look for dramatic improvement between December and February and for Freeport to become a team that no contender wants to face at the Portland Exposition Building with the season on the line.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY (co-op with Yarmouth)

Senior Rosie Panenka will play a big role in Yarmouth/Freeport’s success again this winter.

Coach: David Intraversato (fifth year, 38-28-1 overall record)

2022-23 record: 17-3-1 (Lost, 3-2, to Cheverus in state final)

Top returning players: Amanda Panciocco (Senior), Rosie Panenka (Senior), Sophie Smith (Senior), Emma White (Junior), Adelaide Strout (Sophomore), Celia Zinman (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 9 @ Cheverus, Dec. 12 @ Brunswick, Dec. 19 PENOBSCOT, Dec. 26 @ Winslow, Jan. 6 BRUNSWICK, Jan. 10 @ Penobscot, Jan. 13 CHEVERUS, Jan. 15 GORHAM, Jan. 20 WINSLOW, Feb. 3 @ Cape/Portland/South Portland/Waynflete

Coach’s comment: “We cannot live in the past. Last year was a great season, but it means nothing right now. It’s a new year and we need to continue to work hard if we want to repeat our previous success. I know we have the legs to skate with anyone. Putting the puck in the net is our focus. We have a very strong defense, five really good skaters who speed up our regroups and breakout nicely. Currently, we are out-shooting our opponents as we did last year, which is a good start. Our goal is to be playing our best closing out January as we gain momentum for playoffs. We hope to be in a situation to play for another regional championship.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Yarmouth/Freeport is coming off the finest season in program history, a season which ended one goal shy of a championship. Sadie Carnes was named the Becky Schaffer Award winner as the state’s finest senior to cap it off. Now, it’s on to 2023-24 and the squad has picked right up where it left off by beating Lewiston (8-3), Falmouth/Scarborough (8-1) and Gorham (5-4) and losing only to Portland/Cape Elizabeth/South Portland/Waynflete (5-4) in early action.

Freeport senior Amanda Panciocco is an offensive-minded defender and will be a force at both ends of the ice.

Yarmouth/Freeport’s offense is prolific again, led by Smith, who had 23 goals during an All-Conference campaign last season and has three goals and a pair of assists early this winter, as well as Panenka (17 goals, 18 assists in 2022-23 during an all-state season and six goals and two assists so far this season). Zinman (7 goals, 7 assists last year and 2 goals, 4 assists this year), White (8 goals, 13 assists a year ago when she was named All-Conference) and senior Isabel Peters (who has three goals in early action this winter) are other top threats. Freshman Dylan McElhinney is a newcomer to watch on the offensive side. Defensively, Panciocco (20 points last season during an all-state campaign) and Strout (22 points in 2022-23, when she was named All-Conference) lead the way, with help from freshman Erica O’Connor. Sophomore Elle Grondin is in goal this winter with assistance from freshman Lexi Wiles.

Yarmouth/Freeport gets to measure itself against Cheverus in a state game rematch Saturday and still has many big tests to come. While its final record might not match last year, this squad has every bit as good a chance to win a championship. Both schools feature players who will help the cause mightily and the end result will be another exciting playoff run.

INDOOR TRACK

Freeport senior Reece Perry hopes to soar to another Class B pole vault state title this season.

Coach: Ginger Ivanov (fourth year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 3rd @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 3rd @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Andrew Oshetski (Senior), Reece Perry (Senior), Will Spaulding (Senior), Harry Walker (Senior), Tyler Burns (Sophomore), Brady Webber (Sophomore)
(Girls) Norah Albertini (Senior), Caroline Carter (Senior), Kessa Benner (Junior), Celia Cobb (Junior), Esther Penney (Junior), Lucy Riggs (Junior), Josie Spaulding (Junior), Lizalyn Boudreau (Sophomore), Lilah Hall (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We have a strong, well-rounded team with athletes competing in distance, sprints, pole vault, jumps and throws. These strong attributes will help the team go far. We have strong returning athletes as well as a strong group of newcomers. We look forward to a competitive, successful and fun season filled with hard work and determination.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport has become one of the best teams in the conference and the state and look for that trend to continue this winter.

The boys return Perry, who is the record-holder and defending state champion in the pole vault (14 feet, 1 inch). Graduated distance standout Henry Horne will be missed, but Spaulding (fifth in the two-mile last year) will look to move up. Walker will compete in the middle distance. Burns and Webber are top jumpers. Webber also competes in the pole vault. Oshetski will be a top thrower. Newcomers of note include sophomore distance runner Alex Gilbert and freshman middle distance runners Ian Guzman and Marsden Shetterly.

The girls’ squad returns Benner, who was second in the pole vault last winter, and is also a threat in the high jump. She’s joined in the jumps by freshman Claire Ramus. The Falcons are strong in the sprints, led by Boudreau (third in the 400) and Riggs (eighth in the 200). Albertini and Cobb also look to score in the shorter races. Penney runs the middle distance and the long races feature Hall (sixth in the mile, eighth in the 800), Carter and Spaulding. Newcomers to watch include senior sprinter/hurdler Lucie Bourgeois, freshman sprinter Emma Graham, freshman middle distance runner Ella Oshetski and freshman hurdler/high jumper Claire Ramus.

SWIMMING

Coach: Tom Green (third year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 13th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 14th @ Class B state meet

Swimmers to watch:

(Boys) Collin Lamb (Senior), Nicholas Stebbins (Senior), Gavin Boccanfuso (Junior)
(Girls) Audrey Brogan (Senior), Lila Abbott (Sophomore), Maddie Kryzak (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “The team has grown a little in numbers, but the real strength will be the many returning swimmers for both boys and girls. We look to have more state meet qualifiers and a stronger showing at both Southwesterns and the state meet. I also hope that we can continue to build the program, now in just it’s third year back as an independent program.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport has several boys and girls who will turn heads in the pool this season.

The boys’ squad returns Lamb, who hopes to score in the butterfly and freestyle. Stebbins competes in the breaststroke and the freeestyle. Boccanfuso will be heard from in the backstroke and freestyle.

The girls’ team is led by Brogan, who came in 10th in the 200 free last year and was 14th in the 100 breaststroke. She hopes to move into the top eight this winter. Kryzak, last seen leading the field hockey team to its first championship from her goalie position, will compete in the distance freestyle and 200 individual medley. Abbott is a top sprint freestyler.

ALPINE SKIING

Coach: Phil Wagner (third year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) Class A state champions
(Girls) 4th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Ben Barrett, Elias Burrill, Alex Gilbert, Jack Gilbert, Ansel Goode
(Girls) Lucie Bourgeois, Sadie Grogan, Elle Levesque, Rosie St. Cyr, Silvi Strong

Coach’s comment: “The men’s team only lost one skier from the team that won Class A states the last two years. With a little luck, we hope to be near the top again. The ladies lost one skier to the (Maine Principals’ Association’s) decision to eliminate co-op teams, but we’ll remain strong with Rosie leading the charge.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport has a championship-caliber program again this season.

The boys’ squad features Goode, who was fifth in the giant slalom and 15th in the slalom last winter, helping the Falcons to a repeat title. Goode made the All-Conference team, as did Barrett, who is another top returner. They’re joined by Burrill, Alex Gilbert and Jack Gilbert as proven commodities who are hungry to keep Freeport at the top.

On the girls’ side, St. Cyr is the top returner. She came in ninth in the slalom a year ago. Bougeois (14th in the GS) is another key skier back. Grogan, Levesque and Strong are other veterans, who look to move up the standings and help the Falcons contend for the top spot.

NORDIC SKIING

Freeport sophomore Reed Proscia was one of the top girls’ Nordic skiers in the state a year ago.

Coach: Jessica Marion (second year)

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

Top returners:

(Boys) Teo Sterverlynk-Horne (Senior), Porter Towne (Senior)
(Girls) Lucy Huggett (Sophomore), Reed Proscia (Sophomore), Laurel Wight (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We will be looking to see some strong leadership from a number of upperclassman student-athletes. We have a really talented team with a number of skiers that have been with the team for a long time and it will be fun to see how far they have come since their freshman year skiing. In addition, we have a lot of new skiers who are either new to the sport or just freshmen that are new to the team but who participated in the Freeport Middle School program.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Freeport, which is a co-op team with Brunswick, is fired up about its chances this winter.

The boys’ squad returns a top talent in Stevelynck-Horne, who came in second in both the classic and freestyle at states a year ago and hopes to move up to the top spot this time around. Towne is another key returner.

The girls’ team features Proscia, who was second in both the classic and freestyle last winter, Wight, who came in third in the freestyle and fifth in the classic, and Huggett, seventh in the freestyle and 20th in the classic.