DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Kelsey Hutchins (first year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s record: 6-12
Top returners: Seniors — Emily Woods, Diana Cayer, Aleiah Ward; Juniors — Sophia Nino, Keira Reny; Sophomore — Abigail Luczynski.
Key loss: Jayce Holmquist.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Braylee Tracy; Freshmen — Emma Witas, Madisyn Bradeen.
Season outlook: The Cougars only graduated one player from last year’s squad, and new coach Kelsey Hutchins says they have “shown in these first weeks how coachable they are and how hard they’re willing to work.” She added that their focus early in the season has been on tightening up their defense.

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Frank Perry (first year)
Conference: SMAA; Class: AA
Last year’s results: 6-13, reached AA North quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Rachel Penny, Layla Facchiano, Violet Vincent; Sophomores — Hope Fontaine, Alexis Creaser, Jenna Shea.
Key losses: Jenny Chaput, Tess Robbins, Savannah Green.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Elizabeth Galway, Charlotte Ranger.
Season outlook: The Red Eddies are looking to surprise people this year. “We are fast and have size to make us a tough opponent,” Frank Perry said. “With our speed, outside shooting, driving ability and size under the basket, our offense will be fun to watch and our defense tough to attack.”

GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER PATRIOTS
Coach: Mike Andreasen (14th year)
Conference: WMC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 15-4, reached A South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Izzy Morelli, Laney Farrar, Hailey Carson, Ally Bouchard; Juniors — Ella Kenney, Hope Handley; Sophomores — Abbey Steele, Emma Hamilton.
Key losses: Ali Portas, Ellie Steele.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Madelyn Humphrey, Ryenne Grant; Sophomores — Ivy Ouellette, Bella Maiorano, Val Farrar, Leah Desmarais.
Season outlook: The Patriots lack size, so Andreasen said, “developing a post game will be a priority. … The team will play solid team defense,” Andreasen said, “but due to its lack of height, an emphasis will be placed on rebounding.” Gray-NG needs to develop outside shooting to replace Portas, who made more than half of the team’s 3-pointers last season.

LEAVITT HORNETS
Coach: Kyle Rines (second year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 7-11
Top returners: Seniors — Caitlyn McCoy, Kaitlyn Sirois, Anniston Jones, Daelyn Clark; Juniors — Gabrielle Smith, Jordyn Boulay, Brooke Boutaugh.
Key losses: Kayla Smith, Ashlee Robert.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Reese Daigle, Adelyn Gatti, Lilly Wang; Freshmen — Elizabeth Kowalski, Isabel Leonardo, Sophia Poulin
Season outlook: All but one starter and a lot of shooting talent return for the Hornets. “Although we are small, our team will rely on its speed and shooting,” Rines said. “We have a lot of upperclassmen experience that will lead us towards a successful season.”

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Sam Morin (first year)
Conference: SMAA; Class: AA North
Last year’s results: 10-10, reached regional semifinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Jasmarie Wood, Mackenzie Wood; Juniors — Ella Beaudoin, Bailey Tardif-Mockler, Ezabella Kelly; Sophomore — Joana Almeida.
Key losses: Natalie Beaudoin, Koral Morin, Ellie Legare, Gabby Roman, Skylar Gaudette, Natalie Rosario.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Jaedalyn Jackson; Sophomore — Jaleigh Wright; Freshmen — Saamiya Aden, Bailey Toderico.
Season outlook: The Blue Devils will be a much different team after graduating five players. “Having a lot of new faces though isn’t a bad thing,” new coach Sam Morin said, adding that Wright, Almeida and Toderico are ready to be thrown into the mix. Tardif-Mockler and Ella Beaudoin will be relied on to help the underclassmen along.

LISBON GREYHOUNDS
Coach: Jeremy Williams (fifth year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 0-15
Top returning athletes: Senior — Delaney McGrath; Junior — Kasie Booker; Sophomores — Rachel Morse, Natalie Bichrest, Riley Kuietauskas, Leah Barry.
Key loss: Deanna Adams.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Elizabeth Ferero; Freshmen — Zoey Cote, Clara Madore, Ragan Ouellette, Hannah Perron.
Season outlook: The core of last year’s team returns and, Williams said, will be joined by a “solid freshman group” as the Greyhounds continue to build the program at the varsity level. “The girls are motivated and excited,” Williams said. “With options at every position, we look to run through the season and get a few wins as we grow and develop.”

MONMOUTH MUSTANGS
Coach: Keith Derosby (first year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 9-11, reached the C South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Rileigh Chase, Tarynn Keleher; Juniors — Addison Beaudoin, Maeve Burgess, Kaitlyn Frost; Sophomores — Lillian Palleschi, Hayli Paradis.
Key losses: Reese Beaudoin, Haley DeHahn.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Nora Labonte, Peyton McDonald; Freshmen — Eliza Armandi, Sophia Ennis.
Season outlook: The Mustangs bounced back from an 0-6 start last season to reach the playoffs and win a prelim. New coach Keith Derosby said they “have a solid core of returning athletes who are looking to compete and bring high energy on a nightly basis. We want to be playing our best basketball come February.”

MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Peter Chase (second year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 9-10, reached B South preliminary round.
Top returners: Seniors — Ali Mazza, Madison Dow, Layce Boucher, Madisyn McLean, Alyvia Theriault; Juniors — Hayden Chase, Madison Blanchard, Chloe Brown.
Key losses: Maisy Chase, Brooke Bennett, Brooke Brown, Ella Young.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — Kaylynn Washburn; Freshman — Madeleine Brown.
Season outlook: A strong core returns, and Peter Chase said the coaching staff is excited to see what the Falcons accomplish this season. The players’ goal is to advance to playoff games at the Portland Expo. “Our girls play hard, physical and with a lot of heart,” Chase said. “They work hard and come every day looking to get better.”

MT. ABRAM ROADRUNNERS
Coach: Jason Wing (second year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 6-12
Top returners: Seniors — Jany Pepin, Bailea Haines, Kharlie Turner, Mckenzie Contreras; Juniors — Jenna Osgood, Abigail McCarty, Sakari Savage, Autumn Emery.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Vega Rollins, Lya Pepin; Freshmen — Evelyn Pepin, Stella Peterson.
Season outlook: The Roadrunners didn’t lose any players to graduation, and they expect their experience playing together will lead to more composed and cohesive play. “We are looking to rebound this season with an above-.500 record and have set a season goal of getting our sneakers back on the Civic Center floor,” Wing said.

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Alex Bessey (second year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 5-14, reached A North quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Maddie Cote, Kylee Blodgett; Sophomores — Reese Nye, Gracelyn Noles.
Key losses: Elsa Perez, Bailey Farnham, Maia MacIssac.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Abby Farrington; Sophomore — Jade Fitch; Freshmen — Riley Hamlin, Rowan Lancaster.
Season outlook: The Cougars are young, so they’re looking to grow together and become stronger as a team. “The athletes on the team are eager to learn and improve their skills,” Bessey said. “Our goal as a team is to push each other and make each other better every day.”

OAK HILL RAIDERS
Coach: Chuck Cullins (third year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 1-17
Top returners: Seniors — Kendall Theriault, Michaela Pontbriand; Juniors — Mackenzee Wardwell, Janiah McKay; Sophomores — Haylee Harris, Madalyn Sikora.
Key loss: Aubrey McElhaney.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Brennah McElhaney, Shelbey Elwell, Caroline Reedy.
Season outlook: The Raiders are young, with only four upperclassmen, and are hoping to bounce back from last year’s 1-17 finish. Cullins said the team is “looking to get better with every game.”

OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Cimeron Colby (first year)
Conference: SMAA; Class: AA
Last year’s results: 15-6, reached Class AA North final.
Top returners: Seniors — Ella Pelletier, Gabbie Tibbetts, Maddy Herrick, Madalyn Oliveira, Sophie Estes; Juniors — Emma Cooper, Kayla Palmer; Sophomore — Lydia Goyette.
Key losses: Maddy Miller, Tristen Derenburger, Milo Seams.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Abby Marcotte; Junior — Harley Werner; Sophomore — Avery Marston.
Season outlook: The Vikings’ veterans, including Pelletier and Tibbetts, have already achieved a lot in their careers, having reached the regional final each season and winning the state title in 2022-23. “The younger players have a great group of seniors to learn from. The goal is to have fun, compete and celebrate each other,” Colby said.

POLAND KNIGHTS
Coach: Jake Webb (fifth year)
Conference: WMC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 13-7, reached C South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Ruby Taylor, Laney Paradis, Terra Magofna; Junior — Alaina Hamlin; Sophomores — Charlotte Grenier, Phoebe Paradis, Payton Rose.
Key losses: Thea Thornton, Breanna Bartlett, Lily Bennett, Nicole Rioux, Maya Balkir, Gretchyn Paradis.
Promising newcomers: Lise Poublan, Alivia Lemeuix, Maddison Bosse, Sophia Aube, Davis Hill.
Season outlook: The Knights used a lot of players last year, so while they lost many to graduation, they also return a lot of key players and will look to build on last year’s success. “We will have a very young team and look to play a more up-tempo game,” Webb said. “As usual, defense will be the strength of the team as the program excitement continues to grow.”

SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHOENIX
Coach: Zach Keene (eighth year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 19-3, reached B South final.
Top returners: Seniors — Riley Small, Avery Bessey; Junior — Grace Cuthbertson; Sophomores — Maddie Grimaldi, Merik Bessey, Zoe Groomes, Mikenna Phillips.
Key losses: Jaydn Pingree, Jazmine Pingree, Elizabeth Grondin, Aubrey Kachnovich, Mary Hamblin.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Maddy Cordes; Sophomore — Kyleigh Marcotte; Freshmen — Lily Bellerose, Aisla Armandi, Alaina Kachnovich, Linda Lake.
Season outlook: A lot of key players graduated after helping the Phoenix reach consecutive regional finals. Keene said this year’s team is athletic and talented, and looking to keep the momentum going. “If we do what we need to do day in and day out, we will continue to compete at a high level, both within our conference and within our region,” Keene said.

ST. DOM’S SAINTS
Coach: Randy Parenteau (first year)
Conference: WMC; Class: D
Last year’s results: 10-8-0, reached D South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Senior — Charli Apodaca, Sophomores — Piper Croteau, Chloe Croteau.
Key losses: Avery Gravel, Anna Geyer-Shaheen, Rieslynn Bernier.
Promising newcomers: 8th-graders — Sage Yarnevich, Juju Farrington.
Season outlook: The Saints lack height but they have speed and athleticism that will allow them to play the style that their new coach favors as they aim to build off last season’s success.

TELSTAR REBELS
Coach: Alec Newell (third year)
Conference: East/West; Class: D
Last year’s results: 7-12, reached Class D South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Hayley Smith, Rylee Cooper; Juniors — Viviene Charette, Taejyah Lego, Cady Campbell; Sophomores — Mya Buck, Addy Kimball, Emma MacPherson, Bella Petillo.
Key losses: Morgan Zetts, Karen Marshall, Makenzie Eliot.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Adaline Koskela; Freshmen — Quinn Coolidge, Baylee Dunham, Lexi Indermuehle.
Season outlook: The Rebels are coming off their first appearance in Augusta in 18 years. They lost a lot of key players, but this season will play a mostly Class D schedule within their new conference. “It will be exciting to see this group of underclassmen step up into more prominent roles as they join the East/West League,” Newell said.

WINTHROP RAMBLERS
Coach: John Baehr (fourth year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 13-7, reached C South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Ella Rice, Madeline Wagner, Caroline Corgan; Junior — Brynn Stubbert; Sophomores — Kylee Mansir, Cyara Harriman.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Grace Drown; Freshmen — Kylee Savage, Evelynn Mortimer, Bella Baehr, Izzy Lessard, Meelah Presti.
Season outlook: The Ramblers return a lot of veterans and a lot of talent. “We are looking to get better individually and as a team, with a good mix of experienced players and young players,” Baehr said. “Also, we will be looking to play our best basketball in February.”