RICHMOND

The Richmond High School basketball teams are coming off Class D state- championship appearances. While the girls seem primed for another title run, the boys may take their lumps early, with the lack of game experience a main culprit.

Boys basketball

Under head coach Phil Houdlette, the Bobcats went 13-3 in the regular season and took their third seed in Western Maine Class D all the way to the state final, losing to Central Aroostook, 40-37.

Richmond is slated to open Dec. 10 at Seacoast Christian (6:30 p.m.).

This will be a rebuilding year for the Bobcats, who only had 18 players try out and only one player returning with any real game experience.

Senior forward Ben Carver is the top returnee. “And, he’s going to have to put the ball in play, set up and do things that he hasn’t had to do before,” said Houdlette. Others coming back include senior Brian Snedeker ( F), junior Randy Moody (G), and sophomores Sean Bernier (G) and Nate Tribbett (G).

Newcomers include senior Kade Strout (F), sophomore Evan Esancy ( G/ F), and freshmen Jason Patterson (F), Cameron Emmons ( G) and Marcus Blake (G).

“These things go in cycles,” said Houdlette of the low numbers. “ We’ve had big numbers for the last 12- 14 years. But, last year, because we are part of RSU 2, we didn’t have a Peewee program because we couldn’t get into the gym. And, we can’t get into the gym without insurance and it’s too costly.”

“But, the kids are working hard,” added Houdlette. “We have some athleticism. They’re eager to learn, but we’re going to have some growing pains until we get the system down. Most of the kids are soccer players and Ben is the only returnee with any significant playing time from last year.

“And, we have no size. It will be hard to press because they don’t have enough basketball experience. They’re willing to learn, but this is going to involve a lot of teaching.

“ We open with Seacoast Christian, which is good because it will give us a good barometer of where we are.”

Girls basketball

Posted a 17-1 record in the West and advanced to the state championship, falling to Washburn, 43-30.

Brooke Lancaster, who averaged 9.4 points and 7.5 rebounds, and Tara Hurley (5.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg) have graduated.

Girls open at Seacoast Christian on Dec. 10 (5 p.m.).

Returnees include senior Danica Hurley (G, 4.6 ppg, 3.2 apg), juniors Emily Leavitt (F), Noell Acord (G), Payton Johnson (G), Brianna Snedeker (G), Jamie Plummer (F, 11.4 ppg, 9 rpg) and Alyssa Pearson ( C, 6.6 ppg) and sophomore Haley Murphy (G).

Newcomers are senior Lindsy Hoopingarner, junior Ciarra Lancaster and sophomore Morgan Harrington.

The preseason has been one with an emphasis on defense.

“We started off the season playing three preseason games before we had a chance to practice with the varsity squad,” said head coach Bishop. “Which truly pointed out our natural strengths and gave us a real look at some of the things we need to include as we progress through the first part of our season. Our major goal is to develop a group that pressures any opponent with tenacious defense. We lost a very confident shooter in Brooke Lancaster, and are working on filling her shoes.

Bishop thinks she has a very athletic squad.

“ We’re fast, competitive, and athletic, not to mention we have great size with Plummer (6-foot), Pearson (5-11), Lancaster (5-10), and Leavitt (5-10). With seven juniors, it’s really important for us to develop leadership on the floor, to help utilize our speed and height.

The East-West schedule can only help the Bobcats down the stretch,

“Playing basketball in the locations of the East- West Conference is like no other … basketball is the sole focus for the entire winter season in some of the towns we travel to — Bingham, Rangeley, Jackman, Greenville and Vinalhaven.

“The energy that can be felt in those places is really pretty special … though a winter trip to Vinalhaven is always nice, the Friday night, Saturday morning games are not always the best showcase for us.”

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