BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Senior Kade Ippolito is an imposing defender and top scorer for Greely’s boys’ basketball team. File photos.

Coach: Travis Seaver (13th year, 167-69 overall record, three state titles)

2023-24 record: 9-10 (Lost, 76-50, to Noble in Class A South quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Luca Cimino (Senior), Kade Ippolito (Senior), Ethan Michaud (Senior), Andrew Padgett (Senior), Owen Partridge (Senior), Brogan Raftice (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “We’re deep and we have nine seniors. We have size, but we know it will come down to defense. We won’t outscore teams, so we have to stay cohesive on defense. These guys haven’t won in basketball. I’m hoping our football and soccer (state championship) success carries over and we’ll be in the mix. We’ll definitely get better during the year.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely hasn’t missed the playoffs in over three decades and this year’s team is poised to be one of the top contenders in Class A South again. After back-to-back quarterfinal round ousters, the Rangers are looking for a deeper run this time around.

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Senior Owen Partridge is a key returner for the Rangers this winter.

Ippolito burst out of the gate with 28 points in Greely’s season-opening 51-46 victory over Mt. Ararat. Ippolito was a third-team all-star in 2023-24 and he can stuff the stat sheet, as well as stuff the basketball. He’s joined on the forward line by Cimino, Padgett (who just quarterbacked the Rangers to a football state title) and Partridge (who was a pivotal part of a boys’ soccer state champion). Cimino and senior Luke O’Connor are other forwards to watch. In the backcourt, Michaud will be the point guard. Raftice has experience. Sophomore guard Rocky Axelsen could step up as a scorer as well.

Senior Ethan Michaud is back as Greely’s point guard. He’ll be a top defender too.

The Rangers don’t want to get into track meets with teams that can score a lot of points. If they can keep the game at their pace, look out, they’ll have a chance to beat anyone. Greely’s schedule, as always, is daunting and the Rangers will learn from it and grow in the weeks to come. Greely is hungry to go deeper in this year’s tournament and it wouldn’t be wise to bet against the Rangers come February.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Senior Molly Partridge will be in the middle of the action for Greely’s girls’ basketball team.

Coach: Todd Flaherty (ninth year, 124-34 overall record, two state titles)

2023-24 record: 9-11 (Lost, 58-21, to eventual champion Brunswick in Class A South semifinals)

Top returning players: Molly Partridge (Senior), Avery Bush (Junior), Kelsey Crocker (Junior), Hannah Hussey (Sophomore)

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Coach’s comment: “It’s a good group. We’re having fun and getting better. We’re young. We have one senior, three freshmen and three sophomores, but we’re athletic. We need to find ways to score and that takes time. Scoring will have to come from everybody. We hope to fight for a playoff spot. Our goal is to get better, get in (the tournament) and ruin someone’s day.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely ruined Gray-New Gloucester’s day a year ago in the quarterfinals and while the Rangers were no match for the eventual champions in the next round, they did finish the year with some momentum to carry over. Greely has some standout athletes on the roster this winter and if it can find a way to put the ball in the basket, it will be very competitive again.

Junior Avery Bush only knows one speed when she’s on the floor and her tenacity will help the Rangers win this season.

Hussey will be the point guard. She’ll look to do some scoring, as well as distributing. Crocker and Partridge are top defenders. Sophomore guards Sophia Littel and Abi Livingston are shooters to watch and Bush is another veteran guard. Junior Lily Wawrzicki-Stein, the goalie from the state championship soccer team, will be in the post, but overall, the Rangers don’t have a lot of size.

Greely started with a 61-15 loss to Class A South favorite Mt. Ararat, but better days are ahead. The Rangers proved last year that it’s not how you start a season, but how you end it that matters. This roster is full of good athletes who know how to win big games. If Greely can get into the tournament and play in a big game, life might get tough for the opposition yet again.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Senior Ezra McDuffie and his Greely boys’ hockey teammates hope to do a lot of celebrating in the weeks to come.

Coach: Barry Mothes (31st year, 373-235-16 overall record, five state championships)

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2023-24 record: 13-7 (Lost, 5-3, to eventual champion Cheverus/Yarmouth in Class B South semifinals)

Top returning players: Finn Craven (Senior), Rylan Haight (Senior), Ezra McDuffie (Senior), Alex Wharton (Senior), Coben Donnelly (Junior), Noah Baril (Sophomore), Tucker Goddu (Sophomore), Jack Noone (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “This is one of the more substantial roster transitions for a Greely team that I can recall over the past three decades. Nearly two-thirds of our roster will be freshmen and sophomores and we have some juniors and seniors who will be stepping up into bigger varsity roles than what they’ve had in the past. The season brings a new set of challenges with many new, young players and a mostly new and developing crew of defensemen. We will also need many new and emerging players to help generate offense and goals. It’s exciting to see these new and returning players get these opportunities and there is a lot of enthusiasm, but we have plenty of work ahead of us to build the kind of team hockey we want to play from shift to shift, period to period, game to game. We are all excited to get to work with that.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely enjoyed a nice bounce-back season a year ago, which included a dramatic overtime playoff victory before the Rangers were ousted by the eventual state champions. This year, Greely has a lot of new faces in new places, but the end result figures to be the same. A trip to the postseason where anything is possible.

Offensively, the Rangers will be paced by McDuffie (7 goals, 6 assists last year, including a hat trick in a playoff win over Gorham), Haight (whose 2023-24 campaign was shortened by injury), Donnelly (3 assists last winter) and Noone. Junior Andrew Adams, sophomores Declan Craven, Mitchell Lambert and Zach Yake and freshmen Connor Murphy, Calvin O’Connor, Jason Parent and Colebeck Werner are also vying for playing time on offense. Wharton is the lone returner on the blue line. He’ll help the offensive cause as well. Basil and Finn Craven each played forward previously. They’ll move back to help solidify the defense this season. Junior Max Allen and freshman Jarrett Bush will also see valuable minutes. Goddu played in eight games in goal as a freshman, going 5-3 with an .835 save percentage and a 3.71 goals-against-average. Freshman Beckett Olsen will also see some time between the pipes.

The Rangers have a lot of promise, but there will be a learning curve. Greely started with a 3-1 loss to Kennebunk/Wells (Werner scored the goal, from Baril) and has Cheverus/Yarmouth up next. The Rangers will be tested often this winter, but look for them to rise to the occasion and as the newer players get up to speed, they’ll be a team that no one wants to face. With Class B South appearing wide-open, Greely could be one of the last squads standing.

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GIRLS’ HOCKEY

Greely/GNG junior Charley Louie is one of the region’s top goalies. She’ll stymie the opposition all season.

Coach: Meg Finlay (third year)

2023-24 record: 1-17-1 (Lost, 8-0, to Gorham in South Region quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Jane Flynn (Senior), Zoe Trepaney (Senior), Charley Louie (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “We’re entering the season with renewed determination after a challenging year. The girls are eager to build on their experiences and improved skill development. Although they faced tough competition last year, their work ethic and commitment to growth will be key as they look to build momentum and set the foundation for future success.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely, which also includes players from Gray-New Gloucester, is looking to return to contention this season.

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Louie is considered one of the region’s top goalies and she’ll give her team a fighting chance. Louie made 31 saves in a recent loss to St. Dom’s. Trepaney is a veteran defender. Flynn is a top scoring threat on offense.

The Rangers began the season with losses to the Beacons, Brunswick and St. Dom’s, but this group will show steady improvement and the wins will come. Perhaps enough to get into the postseason.

INDOOR TRACK

Sophomore Victoria Zandan, shown during her freshman outdoor season, will be a top hurdler and jumper this winter for Greely’s girls’ indoor track squad.

Coach: David Dowling (sixth year, two state championships)

2023-24 results:
(Boys) Class B state champions
(Girls) 2nd @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

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(Boys) Sam Anania (Senior), Liam Coull (Senior), Liam Magoon (Senior), Bez Mendelsohn (Senior), Alex Mendoza (Senior), Cade Potts (Junior), Connor Skillin (Junior), Holden Pierce (Sophomore)
(Girls) Marinna Emery (Senior), Jackie Franklin (Senior), Abby Lennox (Senior), Lily Pierce (Junior), Samantha Santerre (Junior), Katie Spencer (Junior), Emma Stein (Junior), Victoria Zandan (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “The boys’ graduated a number of point-scorers from last year’s championship team, but hope to contend for a top spot with returning veterans and newcomers. After a second-place finish, the girls’ team returns all but one scorer and hopes to contend for the state title in February.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely was dominant a year ago, but graduation has brought the Rangers back to the pack. Regardless, they’ll be heard from when it matters most.

The boys will be led this year by Magoon (third in the pole vault last winter), Mendoza (third in the high jump, third in the long jump and seventh in the long jump), Anania (fourth in the pole vault), Coull (fifth in the mile) and Skillin (sixth in the 800). Potts is another distance runner of note. Mendelsohn and Pierce led the sprinting contingent. Junior Tait Harvey (distance) and freshman Jackson Walton (sprints) will also factor into the team’s success.

The girls feature several athletes fresh off a soccer championship. That group includes Franklin (second in the 400 a year ago), Santerre (sixth in the 800), Pierce (seventh in the 200) and Lennox (800). Franklin will also compete in the long jump this season. Zandan (runner-up in the long jump and fourth in the triple jump a year ago) will be an elite jumper and hurdler (she was fourth in the 55 hurdles last February). Senior Marinna Emery (sixth in the pole vault last season), junior Katie Spencer (pole vault) and junior Emma Stein (distance) are other veterans. Sophomore Sarah Weisz is new and will look to score in the distance.

SWIMMING

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Coach: Rob Hale (32nd year w/boys’ team, 34th year w/girls, 13 state championships)

2023-24 results:
(Boys) 5th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 7th @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Asa Giffune (Senior), Ike Barr (Junior), Reid Petrie (Junior), Alex Wall (Junior)
(Girls) Aine Martel (Senior), Jordan Young (Junior), Maddie Lowery (Sophomore), Maya Tracey (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “This is one of the best boys’ teams I’ve had at Greely. We lost some talent to graduation and injuries, but we still have a strong set of experienced swimmers. There is a lot of potential in our deep roster and that will be the difference in whether we can contend. We will have to outnumber the other teams’ front line. The success from football and soccer have raised the expectations and the motivation. Some of the swimmers were a part of those teams and they have raised the bar. We will be in the mix. Cape comes back to the pack a little due to graduation. We will battle at Southwesterns and Class B favorite Morse will join us in the battle at states.

“The girls are in unfamiliar territory. We are small in numbers, young and lack experience. We have two seniors with only one with swimming experience. Last year we were Audrey Cohen and the Von Trapp children. This year, the kids will have to perform their own ‘Sound of Music’ production. They will have to lean on last year’s experience to continue to improve. Someone will have to step up and lead us. Our first swim meet showed we are headed in the right direction. Our goals are more longterm and building for next year. The focus and the energy of the boys is rubbing off and the girls will see great strides this year.”

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The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely is poised to do some big things in the pool this winter.

The boys’ squad, which already tied reigning champion Cape Elizabeth in the early going, could ascend to the top spot this time around. The Rangers are led by Barr (third in both the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke last season), Giffune (fifth in the 500 free and seventh in the 200 free) and Wall (eighth in the 100 backstroke). Petrie (IM, freestyle and butterfly) is another veteran. Freshman Octavio Parra-Franco (fly) is going to be an impact maker as well.

The girls will miss all-time program legend Audrey Cohen (now at Penn State), but the cupboard is not bare. Young is this year’s top returner. She was fifth in the backstroke last season and hopes to move up. She’ll also compete in the fly and IM. Lowery (breaststroke and fly), Martel (free, breaststroke) and Tracey (free) are also back. They’re joined by freshman Violet Pike (freestyle, breaststroke).

ALPINE SKIING

Coach: Mark Ouellette (28th year)

2023-24 results:
(Boys)
7th @ Class A state meet
(Girls) 11th @ Class A state meet

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Top returners:

(Boys) Jude Cook (Senior), Ben McCarron (Senior), Quinton Jones (Junior), Isaiah Morgan (Junior)
(Girls) Karinna Beacham (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “We have returned to strong numbers. We have 18 boys and not much experience. The girls are young, but ready to race. We have the pieces. They need to grow together and jell. Competition breeds competition.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely is building back to the spot where it will be in the hunt for a title.

The boys return McCarron, who is coming off an exceptional football season, which saw him lead the Rangers to their first championship and be named Greely Fall Athlete of the Year. Last winter, McCarron was 16th in the giant slalom and 19th in the slalom. He looks to be a factor again. Cook, Jones and Morgan are other veterans. George Klein and Duncan Sheff also have experience.

The girls’ squad will miss Whitney Bond, last year’s top scorer. Beacham is a top returner. Other veterans include sophomores Colby Davis, Sydney Klimaytis, Ava Lemanski, Caitlin McCarron and Audrey Seddon and freshmen Mary Beth Chittum, Autumn O’Neil, Danielle Saunders and Lucia Tucci.

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NORDIC SKIING

Junior Rowan Barry is back to make her mark for Greely’s girls’ Nordic ski team.

Coach: Emily Cartwright (second year) and Cameron Bancroft (first year)

2023-24 results:
(Boys)
7th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) Class B state champions

Top returners:

(Boys) Keenan Barry (Junior), Tait Harvey (Junior)
(Girls) Riley Record (Senior), Rowan Barry (Junior), Evelyn LaCasse (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “This season, we have more freshmen skiers than the rest of their teammates combined. The girls’ team is eager to get back on snow in the wake of their state championship win. The boys’ team retains enthusiastic leadership from years prior. Our goals for the season are to welcome in the young team and create a strong culture that promotes bettering ourselves, lifting up our teammates and a love of the sport.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely had a memorable year last winter and is poised for more big things this season.

The girls won their first championship in 16 seasons and will make another run at the top spot. The Rangers return Barry, a captain, who was runner-up in the classic, third in the freestyle and third in the pursuit standings a year ago. LaCasse was ninth in the freestyle, 14th in the classic and 10th in the pursuit standings. Record, a captain, is another seasoned veteran. They’re joined by freshmen Clara Wentling and Amelia Wnek.

The boys’ squad features Harvey (fifth in the freetyle, seventh in the classic, sixth in the pursuit standings last year) and Barry as captains. Freshmen Derek Mohr, George Reynolds and Levi Windsor hope to step right in and make an impact.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

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