BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Junior Carter Blanche is as deadly as any outside shooter in the region and he’ll lead Scarborough’s boys’ basketball team to big things this winter. File photos.

Coach: Phil Conley (ninth year, 73-74 overall record)

2023-24 record: 16-5 (Lost, 46-33, to Gorham in Class AA South Final)

Top returning player: Carter Blanche (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “Good things are happening right now, but we have a long way to go. I love this group. We lost eight seniors, plus Spence (Spencer Booth, who transferred to Milton Academy), but our team culture is outstanding. We’ll continue to build on that. These guys come ready to practice every day and practice hard. It’s a young team, so it’s a process and we’re ready to roll. This is a tough, tough conference and we have to bring our ‘A’ game every night. The teams are well-coached and they’re good and our guys know that. With the more experience these guys get, we’ll get even better.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough was a high-flying, sharpshooting, fun-to-watch team a year ago and it got all the way to the Class AA South Final before the good times ended. Graduation took its toll and the Red Storm lost their big man as well, as Booth transferred. Weep not for Scarborough, however, as this year’s group, as untested as it might be, appears poised to make another run at a title.

Junior Adam Fitzgerald turned heads during his time at Skowhegan. He’ll look to put the Red Storm over the top this winter.

The Red Storm will be paced by Blanche, an honorable mention all-star last winter, who is never shy to shoot and is deadly from behind the arc. Blanche averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals in 2023-24 and is off to a fast start this season, scoring 20 points in a 67-50 win at Bonny Eagle in the opener and 21 more in a 61-53 home victory over Portland. The rest of the squad features unfamiliar names, but rest assured, they’ll soon be well known. Other backcourt threats include senior Noah Huntington, junior Will MacDonald, junior Adam Fitzgerald (a transfer from Skowhegan) and junior E.J. Herrick, the hero of the Class A South boys’ soccer final. Senior Cam Estrella, a 6-foot-5 center, the younger brother of former South Portland standout JP Estrella, who is now at the University of Tennessee, is a top defender and rebounder. He’s joined in the frontcourt by junior Layton Garriepy.

Scarborough will play its familiar style and has already gained confidence due to its early success. There isn’t a favorite in the region this winter and the Red Storm believe they can be the best of the bunch when all is said and done. Don’t bet against them.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Senior Ellie Rumelhart can score inside and out and will be a key contributor to a talented Scarborough girls’ basketball team.

Coach: Mike Giordano (12th year, 128-79 overall record)

2023-24 record: 15-6 (Lost, 46-37, to Gorham in Class AA South Final)

Top returning players: Emerson Flaker (Senior), Isabel Freedman (Senior), Ellie Rumelhart (Senior), Megan Rumelhart (Senior), Helena Bukarac (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “I like what we’re doing defensively and we’re consistently getting better offensively. There are bigger tests to come and we’re ready for the challenge. It’s huge to have our experience. Our top scoring threats will change night to night. We have a tough schedule. If we all pull together in the same direction, we’ll be OK.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough projects to be more than OK, as evidenced by an impressive start which includes victories at Bonny Eagle (54-14) and at home over Portland (48-31). The Red Storm have been able to hit outside shots and smother the opposition with their defense, a recipe for success if there ever was one.

Senior Emerson Flaker is a terrific ballhandler, a top defender and oh by the way, faster than anyone on the floor. She’ll play a key role this winter for the Red Storm.

Flaker, who is playing just basketball this winter, is poised for a terrific season. She tallied 10 points, 11 steals, five assists and five rebounds in the win over the Bulldogs and can truly do it all at both ends of the floor. Flaker, the state’s premier sprinter, who will run track next year at the University of Connecticut, led the league in both assists (3.9 per game) and steals (3.5) a year ago when she was a first-team league all-star and was also named to the All-Defensive team. If Flaker is able to become more of a scoring threat while serving as the point guard as well, she’ll truly be unstoppable. Ellie Rumelhart, who had a game-high 13 points versus the Scots and led the team in scoring again in the win over the Bulldogs with 15 points, averaged 8.6 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. She’s one of the most dangerous shooters around. Bukarac, an All-Rookie team selection in 2023-24, is another deadly outside shooter. Freedman and junior Avery Murphy can get the job done as guards too. Megan Rumelhart, sophomore Eva Alvarez, who was sidelined much of last winter by injury, and freshman Ella Herzberg are other guards of note. Junior Avery Bastian will see time at forward.

If you give junior Helena Bukarac room to shoot, she’ll make you pay.

Scarborough got to the regional final a year ago before falling short. This time around, the Red Storm might be poised to take the next step. The defense will be solid throughout. If Scarborough can find a little more offense, it might be undeniable.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Now a senior, Wyatt Grondin, who found lightning in a bottle as a freshman playoff hero, will be a top scoring threat for Scarborough’s boys’ hockey team this winter.

Coach: Eric Wirsing (fourth year, 26-31-2 overall record, one state championship)

2023-24 record: 2-15-1 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Wyatt Grondin (Senior), Kyle Gambardella (Junior), Nick Harmon (Junior), C.J. Lebel (Junior), Daniel Polisner (Junior), Kieran Fongemie (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We have lots of potential. The team has speed and some depth at forward. I’m hoping to turn one-goal games into wins this year. We lost five games last year by one goal.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough was snake-bitten much of last winter, losing too many close games to count as its record was a little misleading. This year’s squad figures to be much more competitive and the Red Storm could make a return to the playoffs, where they could make a run.

Junior Kyle Gambardella is another key returner for the Red Storm.

Grondin, the playoff hero in a title run as a freshman, is the team’s top returning scorer. He’s joined up top by Harmon and Polsiner, as well as sophomores Landon Baratta and Preston Sullivan. Blueliners of note include Fongemie, Gambardella and Lebel. Junior Bryce Bellerose and sophomore Reed Marston will each see time in goal.

Scarborough, which opened with a narrow 4-3 loss to Thornton Academy, will be in every game and the law of averages suggests that the Red Storm will have better fortune in close games as the season progresses. Scarborough will improve on last year’s win total, should get into the postseason and once there, will be a team that no one will want to face.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY (Co-op w/Falmouth)

Junior Hope Melevsky will be in the middle of the action for the Falmouth/Scarborough girls’ hockey co-op squad.

Coach: Rob Carrier (15th year, 157–112-11 overall record)

2023-24 record: 10-10 (Lost, 8-2, to eventual champion Cheverus in South Region semifinals)

Top returning players: Amelia Brann (Senior), Audrey Farnham (Senior), Hope Melevsky (Junior), Lexie Bellrose (Sophomore), Avery Larson (Sophomore), Alex Serbin (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “Consistency will determine how this season goes for us. If we have too many lulls in our play, we’ll struggle to put up wins. We got off to a slow start, but we’ve been play well recently. I believe we can string together enough wins to get into the playoffs and maybe win a game or two.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth/Scarborough has been a playoff regular throughout Carrier’s time as coach and another postseason trip is likely this winter. Falmouth/Scarborough lost its first two games to the Beacons and two-time reigning champion Cheverus, but turned around and won two of three since, including a surprising overtime victory over the highly-touted Gorham co-op. More victories are in store for this promising group.

The Falmouth/Scarborough offense features Farnham (11 goals, 8 assists last year and a hat trick in the win over Gorham) and Melevsky (11 goals, 11 assists in 2023-24), who both made the All-South Region team last season. Larson (9 goals, 6 assists), Bellerose (4 goals, 11 assists) and freshman Maya Fongemie will also do their share of goal scoring. Defensively, the squad will be led by Brann (3 goals, 5 assists last year) and Serbin. Sophomore Tessa Woodbury and freshmen Juliet Carle and Kali Namer are the team’s goalies.

With Cheverus again the favorite in the region, Falmouth/Scarborough believes it can be as good as anyone else and possibly make a deep playoff run if everyone comes of age.

INDOOR TRACK

Boys’ coach: Derek Veilleux (20th year, 12 state championships)
Girls’ coach: Denise Curry (third year, one state championship)

2023-24 results:
(Boys) 8th @ Class A state meet
(Girls) Class A state champion

Top returners:

(Boys) Ethan Keller (Senior), Cooper Mallar (Senior), Wyatt Martin (Senior), Baxter Merriam (Senior), Nate Murray (Senior), Atticus Merriam (Sophomore)
(Girls) Maiya Marquis (Senior), Laurel Driscoll (Junior), Isabella Harmon (Junior)

Coach Veilleux’s comment: “We have a strong senior group that is hungry to improve on last year’s state meet finish. Distance is our strength and the cross country team had great success this fall, so we will look to continue that indoors. If we can stay healthy, we have the pieces to compete with any team in the state. As always, we will look to improve throughout the season and compete at our best in the championship meets.”

Coach Curry’s comment: “I think we have the talent to achieve it in February. The girls have worked hard in the preseason, showing they are up for the challenge.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough is loaded for bear yet again and both squads will be making runs at greatness this winter.

The girls are coming off their first championship since 2018 and have the pieces in place to repeat. Driscoll, Scarborough’s Fall Athlete of the Year after a terrific cross country season, will be a top distance threat. She was second in the mile, third in the 800 and third in the two-mile last winter. Freshman Desire Mowry is another distance runner to watch. Freshman Josie Duncan, who had a tremendous debut soccer season, is a top sprinter. Harmon (third in the pole vault and fifth in the high jump a year ago) and Marquis (fourth in the shot put) are top athletes in the field events.

On the boys’ side, after failing to capture the title for the first time since 2015, Scarborough is poised to get back to the top. Atticus Merriam (fifth in the two-mile last season) and Baxter Merriam (sixth in the 800) are top returners. The Merriams, along with Keller, who helped the cross country team just win a state title in dramatic fashion, pace the distance contingent. Mallar is a sprinter to watch and he’ll also do well in the jumps (he was eighth in both the high jump and long jump last winter). Murray (fifth in the shot put) is a top thrower. Martin will compete in the pole vault.

SWIMMING

Last winter was again one of celebration for Scarborough’s boys’ swim team. The Red Storm take aim at more glory this season.

Coach: Morgan Swinburne (third year, two state championships)

2023-24 results:
(Boys) Class A state champions
(Girls) 9th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Jacob Ducey (Senior), Stephen Ranger (Senior)
(Girls) Emerson Johnson (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “We have a great group of kids who are dedicated, hard-workers and I’m looking forward to seeing what the season will bring.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough has set the standard in recent seasons and you can expect more greatness this winter.

The boys’ squad has captured the past three Class A titles, with last year’s coming in especially dramatic fashion. This year’s team could make another run if everything falls into place. Ducey (third in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 500 freestyle last winter) is the top returner. He can also swim the butterfly and individual medley. Ranger (fourth in the backstroke a year ago) will be a force in the sprint freestyle this time around. Sophomore Nolan Green hopes to make a mark in the distance freestyle.

On the girls’ side, Johnson is the top returner. She came third in the 100 breaststroke a year ago and will be in the hunt for more excellence in the weeks to come.

WRESTLING (co-op with Gorham)

Coach: Ben Watson (fourth year)

2023-24 results: tie-17th @ Class A state meet

Top returners: Conor Meehan (Senior), Cole Tomuschat (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “Cole will be returning to the team after taking a season off and will hope to make some noise in the heavyweight class. It’s my opinion that the sport has begun to make a comeback recently and a lot of teams will have talented kids. It should be an exciting season.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough/Gorham will feature several wrestlers who will be in the hunt at the big meets.

Tomuschat didn’t compete last winter, but he’ll be a force in the heavyweight division. Meehan (130 pounds) is another veteran to watch. Freshmen Talin Martin and Turner Wheeler are newcomers who could make an immediate impact.

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