BUCKFIELD BUCKS
Coach: Jon Cadman (third year)
Conference: East/West; Class: D
Last year’s results: 9-10, reached D South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Juniors — Gaven Parsons, Trenton Haskell, Ethan Dutil; Sophomores — Krosby Harvey, Brayden Monto, Ryder Bragg.
Key losses: Braden Cousineau, Justin Lucas.
Promising newcomer: Freshman — Nolan Litchfield.
Season outlook: The Bucks don’t have any seniors, but most of the team is back and looking to build off last season. “Our goal is to stay competitive, compete all season and get into the tournament and try to make a run,” Cadman said.

DIRIGO COUGARS
Coach: Cody St. Germain (seventh year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 11-9, reached C South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Nathaniel Wainwright, Dakota White, Ryan Wing, Dom Varnum; Juniors — Brady Philbrick, Owen Smith, Trevor Crosby.
Key losses: Logan Timberlake, Travis Wright.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Gage Lee, David Searles, Karl Blodgett; Sophomore — Caden Hutchinson; Freshmen — Nolan Houghton, Layne Johnston.
Season outlook: Most of last year’s core returns, and the Cougars will try to use their experience to be competitive in the MVC. Wainwright leads the charge, but St. Germain said Dirigo has secondary scorers who can be the “go-to guy on any given night.”

EDWARD LITTLE RED EDDIES
Coach: Jimbo Philbrook (first year)
Conference: SMAA; Class: AA
Last year’s results: 6-13, reached AA North quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Diing Maiwen, TJ Kramarz, Owen Galway; Juniors — Akol Maiwen, Cedric Makelele, Christian Rodriguez.
Key losses: Marshal Adams, Eli St. Laurent.
Promising newcomers: Sophomore — David Clarke; Freshman — Julian Barajas.
Season outlook: Versatile big man Diing Maiwen returns, and Philbrook said the Red Eddies are looking for “some of their returning guys to step into bigger roles this season” to help replace their top two scorers.

GRAY-NEW GLOUCESTER PATRIOTS
Coach: Ian McCarty (second year)
Conference: WMC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 22-2, Class A champion.
Top returners: Seniors — John Patenaude, Colby Mitchell.
Key losses: Aidan Hebert, Nate Hebert, Noah Hebert, Carter Libby.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Jacoby Bragdon; Freshman — Quentin Warrick.
Season outlook: The Patriots must replace four of five starters from last year’s state championship team, so returning starter Patenaude and sixth-man Mitchell will be relied on for leadership. “Great opportunity for guys to step up into new roles and impact the team in a positive way,” McCarty said.

LEAVITT HORNETS
Coach: Mike Hathaway (17th year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 3-15.
Top returners: Seniors — Keegan Reny, Dane Cabral, Riley Meisner; Junior — Mason Henderson; Sophomores — Colin Schlobohm, Trent Holst, Jacob Gibbs, Brody Poland, Cooper Morin.
Key losses: Aiden Turcotte, Zack Wallingford.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Dillon Girard, Kavon Graham Jones; Freshman — Darren Flagg.
Season outlook: Full-time starters Schlobohm — who led the Hornets in points, rebounds, steals and blocks as a freshman— Reny and Henderson return. They’re joined by other players with experience and some promising newcomers. “We should have good depth, and our underclassmen are a year older and stronger. We should be improved on both ends,” Hathaway said.

LEWISTON BLUE DEVILS
Coach: Elgin Physic (fourth year)
Conference: SMAA; Class: AA North
Last year’s results: 8-12, reached AA North semifinals.
Returning athletes: Seniors — Jeffrey Randall, Deion Jackson, Lonnie Thomas, Abdirahman Dakane, Adam Zeininger; Juniors — Joao Samba, Ahmed Abdirahman; Sophomore — Yusuf Abdirahman.
Key losses: Michael Klick, Caden Boone.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Damonte Spearman, Josue Luis; Sophomores — Grayson Bernard, Montrell Spearman, Logan Spence; Freshman — Kewito Castigo,
Season outlook: The Blue Devils return many key players from last year’s playoff team, and Physic hopes that experience should make the team even better this season.

LISBON GREYHOUNDS
Coach: Nicholas Collins (first year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 1-17
Top returners: Seniors — Devin Kolarik, Braiden Edens, Aiden Golino; Juniors — Keeghan Morrissette, Aiden Fortin, Lincoln Matthews, Owen Hurd; Sophomores — Brandon Long, Maleek Beaumier, Jaxson Roy-Thompson, Nolan Parker.
Key losses: Owen Booker, DeSean Drufant, Chris LaValley, Gavin Doughty.
Promising newcomers: Junior — RJ Lerette; Sophomores — Talon Amiot, Jacob Colby-Burnell.
Season outlook: The guard-oriented Greyhounds return three-fourths of their roster. Collins said they “will look to build on the varsity experience they received from last year.”

MONMOUTH MUSTANGS
Coach: Wade Morrill (ninth year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 19-3, Class C champion.
Top returners: Senior — Bingham Abbott; Juniors — Aiden Oliveira, Rory Foyt; Sophomores — Levi Laverdiere, Jacob Harmon.
Key losses: Sammy Calder, Lucas Harmon, Kyle Palleschi, Carter O’Connell, Cam Smith.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Noah Brown; Juniors — Tyler Johnson, Liam Ennis; Sophomores — Devon Sangermano, Tyson Bryant; Freshmen — Gavin Parsons, Zane Foyt.
Season outlook: Many experienced players are back, but the reigning Class C champions have “a lot of maturing to do as a group,” Morrill said.

MOUNTAIN VALLEY FALCONS
Coach: Mason Corriveau (first year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 10-10, Reached B South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Ben Desalle, Tanner Henry, Adam Gammon, Rilan Farnum; Juniors — Dylan Theriault, Blake Small, Diquari Thompson.
Key losses: Jake New, Owen Sevigny, Seneca Jones, Jyrrmal Yates, Colby Frisbee.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Cash Provencher, Jayden Richard-Gardner, Zach McLean.
Season outlook: The Falcons will build around Desalle and Henry with what Corriveau said is “a promising junior and sophomore class.” With so many new faces in new places, the team seeks to grow throughout the season.

MT. ABRAM ROADRUNNERS
Coach: Jeff Pillsbury (first year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 18-3, reached C South final.
Top returners: Seniors — Bryce Wilcox, Logan Dube, Reagan Lockaby, Harrison Thomas; Juniors — Killian Pillsbury, Mike Wilkins.
Key losses: Cam Grey, Payton Mitchell.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Brennan Mitchell, Chase Ross, Owen Cook.
Season outlook: The Roadrunners have limited depth and varsity experience, but “the team has a lot of potential,” Jeff Pillsbury said. He added that less-experienced players “will need to step up defensively and offensively.”

MT. BLUE COUGARS
Coach: Troy Norton (sixth year)
Conference: KVAC; Class: A
Last year’s results: 16-4, reached A North semifinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Nolan Leso, Carter Norton, Tyler Abell, Preston Ball; Junior — Tucker Fitch.
Key losses: Evans Sterling, Charles Stevens.
Promising newcomers: Sophomores — Cooper Abell, Oliver Cormier, Riley Hall; Freshmen — Evan Drake, Cam Norton.
Season outlook: The Cougars lost two key players (Sterling was named Varsity Maine All-State and SJ Player of the Year) but return seniors who played complementary roles last season, and, Troy Norton said, “are ready to step up this year.”

OAK HILL RAIDERS
Coach: Ben Redstone (second year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 2-16
Top returners: Senior — Michael Henry; Juniors — Braden New, PJ Smith, Eli Desmond, Isaac Graham, Braden Dubuc, Isaac Galvez.
Key loss: Landon Denis.
Promising newcomers: Juniors — Wyatt Blier, Bryce Bubier; Sophomore — Kaileb Littlefield; Freshmen — Kieran Stanley, Chris Lazaga.
Season outlook: The top three scorers — Desmond, New and Smith — return for a team that is optimistic they can compete for a playoff spot. Redstone said the juniors “will be looked upon to mature and grow into leaders of the team and program.”

OXFORD HILLS VIKINGS
Coach: Joseph Oufiero (first year)
Conference: SMAA; Class: AA
Last year’s results: 7-12, reached AA North quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Carter Holbrook, Brady Delamater, Eli Laverdiere; Juniors — Brayden Murch, Cam Pulkkinen.
Key losses: Holden Shaw, Jake Carson.
Promising newcomers: Seniors — Brady Roy, Gabe Damon; Juniors — Carson Stevens, Jackson Stack, Grant Frost.
Season outlook: Oufiero, who replaces Maine Basketball Hall of Famer Scott Graffam, said that “last season was a valuable learning experience for a young team. With a strong schedule this season, that experience, hopefully, will prove beneficial.”

POLAND KNIGHTS
Coach: Jason Knight (first year)
Conference: WMC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 3-15
Top returners: Seniors — Anthony Warren, Thomas Hamilton; Juniors — Damon Martin, Landon Cooper, Alex Mains; Sophomores — Nick Jamo, Lucas Verrill.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Liam Fifield; Sophomore — Shawn West; Freshman — Jake Jamo.
Season outlook: Knight said the Knights “will lean on athleticism and quickness, and a focus on defense, toward the goal of returning to the B South playoffs.” Martin and Jamo headline the backcourt, while Hamilton, Cooper and Fifield provide size and defense.

RANGELEY LAKERS
Coach: Jeff LaRochelle (ninth year)
Conference: East/West; Class: D
Last year’s results: 5-14, reached D South preliminary round.
Top returners: Seniors — Brayden Thompson, Anthony Whittier, Zac Madrid; Sophomores — Sam Morrill, Kaysyn Woike, Deryck Thomas; Freshman — Kaleb Thompson.
Key loss: Caleb Slagg.
Promising newcomers: Freshmen — Dakota Lamoine, Alden Sutherland.
Season outlook: Brayden Thompson and Whittier are coming off strong seasons. The play of the supporting case will be key, especially with Thompson missing the start of the season with an injury.

SPRUCE MOUNTAIN PHOENIX
Coach: Scott Bessey (11th year)
Conference: MVC; Class: B
Last year’s results: 12-7, lost in the B South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Senior — Jace Bessey; Juniors — Cai Dougher, Austin Armandi; Sophomores — Dylan Jewett, Owen Kelvey, Caden Frazier, Hunter Buote.
Key losses: Ian York, Griffin Achorn.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Jaziah Lavoie; Juniors — Blake Gemelli, Dana Goding; Sophomores — Levi Richards, Jonathan Hines; Freshman — Daniel Gurrola.
Season outlook: Though the Phoenix are young, they have a lot of experience and, Scott Bessey said, “Expect to have another strong season.” Depth, speed and skill will be key to the team’s up-tempo style of play.

ST. DOM’S SAINTS
Coach: Josh LaPrell (sixth year)
Conference: WMC; Class: D
Last year’s results: 19-2, reached D South final.
Top returners: Seniors — Taylor Varney, Jonathan Tangilamesu, Jack Brocke, Mason LaFlamme, Isaac Yombe, Ayden Rand, Romeo Iraganje; Sophomore — Donel Tangilamesu.
Key losses: Campbell Perryman, Connor Cyr, Kyle Reed, Logan Carey.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Daniel Iwuanyanwu; Juniors — Matt Fecteau, Brady Blash; Sophomore — Ian Cyr; Freshmen — Gad Tangilamesu, Chris Johnson.
Season outlook: Several key players return from the most successful season in St. Dom’s history, including four-year starters Taylor Varney and Jonathan Tangilamesu. The Saints, LaPrell said, “look to utilize their size, length, and athleticism to have another successful season.”

TELSTAR/GOULD REBELS
Coach: Ryan Kimball (fourth year)
Conference: East/West; Class: D
Last year’s results: 6-13, reached class D south quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Brody Morgan, Reiley Hedden, Grady Kellogg; Juniors — Connor Deprey, Jonathan Marshall, Carl Yuan.
Key loss: Wyatt Lilly.
Promising newcomers: Senior — Eliot Norton; Juniors — Reggie Billings, Dakota Ciriello; Sophomore — Cooper Morgan.
Season outlook: Top two scorers Hedden and Morgan are back for the Rebels, who Kimball said, have “size, speed and experience.” Telstar is in a new conference, East/West, which allows a primarily Class D schedule.

WINTHROP RAMBLERS
Coach: Todd MacArthur (14th year)
Conference: MVC; Class: C
Last year’s results: 12-8, reached C South quarterfinals.
Top returners: Seniors — Carter Rivers, Braden Branagan, Cole Bard, Conner Williams, Ian Fuller; Juniors — Chan Ring, Brody Adams, Conner Hachey.
Key losses: Colton Baird, Cody Cobb.
Promising newcomers: Junior — Evan Bilodeau; Sophomores — Jake Galusha, Korbin Littler; Freshman — Graham Huri.
Season outlook: Defense will be the strength and the Ramblers’ offense should improve throughout the season. They have athleticism, size and experience and should be a force in the MVC and C South.