BRUNSWICK — Although it technically isn’t winter, the precipitation and cold temperatures in November sure made it feel like it.

Winter doesn’t officially begin until Dec. 21, but Friday marks the true beginning to winter when Maine high schools begin the winter sport seasons. With plenty of local teams vying for postseason play next February, some will make that climb with new coaches on the sidelines.

David Dubreuil takes over at Mt. Ararat, Tom Maines re-emerges at Morse and Jamie Jones tries to revive Wiscasset.

Standout athletes like Jonah Sautter, Colby Bucknam, Ryan Mello, Zach Small and Ethan Sclar to name just a few have graduated, but returning players such as Toby Holt, Danny Stewart, Jared Balser, Noah Cox and D.J. Douglass are a handful coming back with another year of experience under their belt.

The next three months of tireless practices, meetings and games will determine who advances in February. Here is a look how the area teams stack up:

Brunswick

For the first time since the 1996/97 season, when his son Thomas was born, Todd Hanson will for the first time not have a son that is either looking forward to or suiting up as a Dragon.

Now that Thomas, who graduated in 2012, and Kyle’s (graduated last spring) have moved on, Coach Hanson is looking forward to the next chapter.

“It feels bittersweet, it was such a great experience being able to coach both of my sons at such a special place as Brunswick High School,” said the coach. “It was very rewarding to be able to spend so much time with the boys. I enjoyed every minute of it, however, I’m really looking forward to working with this current group, making a mark with them.”

The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference team that went 12-6 and finished seventh in the Class A South Heal Points last season, losing on a last-second layup to Biddeford in the quarterfinals, graduated Kyle Hanson (second-team KVAC South), Bucknam (second team KVAC South), Jacob Lamoureux, Dawson Hebert, Jack Bates and Alex Small. With the lose of these players, Todd Hanson will rely on his returning players to reach the next level by improving throughout the season, playing their best basketball in January and February.

“Our outlook is to compete on a nightly basis, improve throughout the course of the season, hitting our peak at the end of the season,” the coach said.

Returning is the Dragons leading scorer Cox. Coach Hanson will again look to the senior to provide their scoring punch.

“With an extra inch of height and 20 pounds of weight, he looks to be a tough match up,” added the coach.

Senior Sam Sharpe returns to the starting lineup after he was injured and hopes to regain his form from a year ago, providing a presence on both ends of the floor. Brothers Flynn and Aidan Mitchell add size and strength and will be contributors as well, while Cam Dunton returns having been a reliable post player behind Bucknam a year ago.

The Dragons open the season at home on Friday against Morse and return to the court Tuesday, hosting “Battle of the Bridge” rival Mt. Ararat. Trips to Falmouth (Dec. 14) and Biddeford (Dec. 21) sandwiched around a home game with Lewiston (Dec. 18) round out the schedule before the winter break. Other tough matches are Greely (Dec. 28), Cape Elizabeth (Jan. 4), at Messalonskee (Jan. 17) and at Edward Little (Feb. 5) before closing the season out at Mt. Ararat (Feb. 7).

“In a balanced Class A South, the eight teams that qualify for the tourney will all have a shot at advancing,” said the coach.

Mt. Ararat

While Dubreuil is in year one as the head coach, he’s a familiar face to the Mt. Ararat basketball sidelines. After three years as the jayvee coach, he replaces Jeff Hogan after one season, and he and the Eagles are eager to get started.

“We’re getting our legs underneath us,” the Topsham native said. “We’ve doing a lot of conditioning and getting a lot of shots up.”

Seniors Jared Balser (6-foot 8-inch center), Max Spelke (5-08 guard) and Austin Damon (6-03 forward) return with valuable minutes under their belts. Classmates Will Kavanaugh, Sean Roberts and Nate Taylor join the seniors with depth and more experience. Junior James Singleton will pick up some quality minutes, while Caleb Manuel is expected to contribute, helping to make up for the losses of graduating players Ryan Mello, Tanner Greenleaf and Nick Merrill.

After opening the season on the road against Leavitt (Friday) and Brunswick, the Eagles have home dates against Kennebunk (Dec. 14) and Edward Little (Dec. 18) before closing out the month with games against Lincoln Academy (Dec. 21) and Biddeford (Dec. 29).

While most of the athletic teams have been displaced due to the new construction of the high school, the basketball team still plays home games at the school. Other home games include Gardiner (Jan. 3), Morse (Jan. 8), Leavitt (Jan. 21) and the regular season finale against Brunswick (Feb. 7).

Road contests include Freeport (Jan. 12), Morse (Jan. 19) and Lewiston (Jan. 31).

“Like most of the KVAC teams, we’ll be fighting for a playoff spot,” Dubreuil said.

Morse

Another coach new to the sidelines but not unfamiliar to Maine high school basketball is Tom Maines. The longtime Shipbuilder leader returns to Morse, where he won three State Class A titles from 1987-89 during his 12 seasons as the head coach.

Maines replaces Brian Bennett on the bench.

“I was dissatisfied with how the game is being coached overall,” Maines said in May after accepting the job. “There are some very good coaches out there, but some don’t know how to teach.”

Maines and the Shipbuilders went right to work, adapting to each other during summer basketball.

“We had some good teaching moments this summer,” said the 2017 Maine Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. “The players have taken what we learned this summer and have already been applying it in practices.”

The Shipbuilders return three seniors, all elected captains by their peers — Thomas Warren, Kaleb Jackson and Arius Eich.

Maines has an influx of youth with juniors Dominic Dickinson, Dylan Orr and Corey Larmon on the squad. Sophomores Boden Gould, Josh Johnson and Jordan Onorato, along with freshmen Gabe Aucoin (6-02), Josh ter Mors (6-0) and Jansen Morrison (6-0) round out the roster.

“I demand a lot and I’m very pleased with how hard they work, they’re really good kids,” Maines said.

Following road games with Brunswick (Friday) and Lincoln Academy (Dec. 11), Morse hosts Westbrook (Dec. 14), Medomak Valley (Dec. 18) and Freeport (Dec. 21) before closing out the calendar year with a trip to Kennebunk (Dec. 29). Other home games include Leavitt (Jan. 2), Mt. Ararat (Jan. 19), Brunswick (Jan. 21), Maranacook (Jan. 29) and Cony (Feb. 5).

Road dates with Mt. Ararat (Jan. 8), Edward Little (Jan. 10), Medomak Valley (Jan. 17), Leavitt (Feb. 1) and the last game of the regular season against Camden Hills (Feb. 7).

Freeport

A 10-8 season, a preliminary game victory and a battle until the end with eventual State Class B South champions Wells in the quarterfinals were all building blocks for Freeport.

It may have been nice to host a prelim, make the trip to Portland and battle the top-seeded team to the final minutes, but the experiences only made the Falcons hungrier.

“The feeling among our team is that we believe we can be a top team this year,” coach Bill Ridge said. “We have several nice parts back from last year’s playoff team and hope to build on that success.”

Most of the athletes have been with Ridge or his coaching staff of four years, in either basketball or baseball, so they have well established relationships between himself and the players. Ridge likes the consistency between his players and coaching staff, but recognizes there is always room for growth.

“Expectations of players and routines vary from season to season and sport to sport,” explains Ridge. “So we take time to re-establish some expectations of players, review routines and dive back into our skill development and game management.”

Western Maine Conference All-Conference player Toby Holt returns for his senior season. Often times possessions work through Holt, as he averaged 15.8 points per-game, shooting 62-percent from the field while grabbing nearly six rebounds and dishing out two assists a game.

“Toby will be a catalyst for both our defense and offense,” Ridge said. “He often defends a top player from the opposing team.”

Eriksen Shea also returns to the starting lineup for his senior year. Shea averaged 13.2-ppg and made 75-percent from the free-throw line and 39-percent from behind the arc. Shea will be looked upon to help keep the pace of the offense’s speed and will be called on to guard the top opposing guards.

“He will continue to be a top scorer for us while taking a bigger role in facilitating our offense. He’s a leader on and off the court for this team,” Ridge said.

Once again, the WMC and the rest of Class B South looks to be competitive. After opening the season with a pair of road games against Sacopee Valley (Friday) and Yarmouth (Dec. 11), the Falcons will host Gray-New Gloucester (Dec. 13) and Traip (Dec. 19). They will travel to Bath to take on the Shipbuilders (Dec. 21) before closing out the month at home against Lincoln Academy (Dec. 29). Other key matches to begin the new calendar year has Freeport traveling to Greely (Jan. 10), Waynflete (Jan. 22) and Lake Region (Feb. 1). Mt. Ararat (Jan. 12), Cape Elizabeth (Jan. 15), York (Jan. 29) and Wells (Feb. 5) are some notable home games.

“The WMC is a very strong conference. There are no nights off during our season and there are a half dozen teams each year that could easily be considered a contender,” Ridge said.

Lisbon

Although the Greyhounds lost 1,000-point scorer Jonah Sautter and seniors Sean Scott, Morgan Perron and Brandon Keith Williams to graduation, there is plenty of experience returning to the floor.

Senior forward Seth Tapley (6-04), junior guards D.J. Douglass (5-09) and Isaac Burnell (5-10) return with the most varsity experience and will lead the team.

“We have an excellent group of returning upperclassmen that give great effort and play as a team,” head coach Jake Gentle said.

Also returning for the Greyhounds, who finished 9-9 last season before losing to Freeport in the Class B South prelim game — Hunter Davis (G, Jr.), Justine Violette (G, Jr.) and Neil LaRochelle (G, So.).

Newcomers to the squad this season are senior Davin Marquis, junior Cory Wiers, and freshmen Ring Ring and Nick Blair.

“The strengths of the team is our speed and athleticism. We are always looking to improve on every aspect of our game,” Gentle said. “We are not tall, so a main focus throughout the season is team rebounding, defending and creating transition points.”

Lisbon will once again play a solid Mountain Valley Conference schedule that boasts several talented teams.

“It will be an exciting season in the MVC with great games every night,” said the coach. “Our goals are to compete every night, improve throughout the season and qualify for the postseason.”

The Greyhounds open the campaign at home on Friday against Winthrop and after a trip to Boothbay (Dec. 10), they return home to host Mt. Abram (Dec. 14). Games at Monmouth (Dec. 18), Dirigo (Dec. 20) and at Richmond (Dec. 28) finish out the opening month. Other key dates in January are at Hall-Dale (Jan. 11), Madison (Jan. 15), at Mountain Valley (Jan. 17), at Spruce Mountain (Jan. 23) and at home against Boothbay (Jan. 29) and Mountain Valley (Jan. 31), before ending the regular season at Oak Hill (Feb. 6).

Richmond

Playing its first season in the MVC, while stepping up to Class C South, Richmond enjoyed a 14-4 regular season and ended up fifth in the Heal Point Standings. After a quarterfinal win, Richmond fell to Winthrop in overtime in the semifinals.

While the experience was priceless for the Bobcats, some of that graduated in Small, Matt Rines and Nate Kendrick. With inexperience a possible weakness according to head coach Phil Houdlette, he does like his team’s willingness to work and learn from their mistakes.

“Everyone is going to have to be patient with the on-the-job training,” Houdlette said of his team’s inexperience. “We must be realistic and learn from our mistakes and not beat ourselves up over them.We need to work as hard as humanly possible to have success, and that means all of us.”

The Bobcats will not lack size. Returning are senior Danny Stewart (6-03), sophomore Calob Densmore (6-03), junior Kenny Bing (6-01) and senior guard Nick Adams. Size remains the theme with their depth as Mason Blake (5-11), Damien Little (5-10), Damian LaRochelle (6-03) and Dakotah Gilpatic all looking to contribute.

“The team has potential, but must realize there is no easy way to success,” Houdlette adds. “Commitment, respect and unselfishness are the building blocks of all teams.”

The Bobcats will open the season Friday, hosting Madison, and road games at Mountain Valley (Dec. 10) and Spruce Mountain (Dec. 14) will be early tests. Winthrop comes to Richmond on Dec. 18 and the team travels to Boothbay (Dec. 20) before the break. Monmouth (Jan. 5), Telstar (Jan. 15), Carrabec (Jan. 19) and Hall-Dale (Feb. 6) all make the trip to Richmond, while the Bobcats will travel to Dirigo (Jan. 9), Hall-Dale (Jan. 23), Monmouth (Jan. 25) and Winthrop (Feb. 6) to close out a tough schedule.

“It takes hard work to attain success in this conference, there will be peaks and valleys,” said Houdlette.

Wiscasset

Working with its third head coach in three years, the basketball team turns to a 2003 graduate to lead the program. Jamie Jones will roam the sidelines this winter shortly after taking the job.

“I have always had a desire to coach, but the timing wasn’t always aligned. Now the timing is right,” Jones said, who recently met his team.

While Jones is getting familiar with his team, the Wolverines have hit the floor running, practicing with motivating the players to work as a team in a positive atmosphere in mind.

“We strive to get the most out of ourselves each and every day,” Jones said. “They are putting in hard work on our cohesiveness on both sides of the ball.”

Already providing leadership in practices for Jones are seniors Matt Chapman, Caleb and Josh Gabriele, Haiden Dunning, Chris Loyola and junior Billy Pinkham. Jones feels his team has the potential to be competitive and knows it starts with practices in November.

“We just need to stay the process each day,” said the coach. “Not be concerned with the end result.”

Home games to open the season are with Carrabec (Friday), Madison (Dec. 13) and Oak Hill (Dec. 19), while traveling to Hall-Dale (Dec. 10), Mountain Valley (Dec. 17) and Spruce Mountain to round out the month. After returning from the winter break, the Wolverines begin January with a trip to Boothbay (Jan. 3) and a home game with Lisbon (Jan. 5). Other home dates include Monmouth (Jan. 11), Richmond (Jan. 17), Winthrop (Feb. 2) and Mt. Abram (Feb. 6). Wiscasset will also play road tilts at Dirigo (Jan. 15), Telstar (Jan. 19), Richmond (Jan. 29) and Monmouth (Jan. 31).

Pine Tree Academy

Having achieved success with experience, talent and depth, PTA has enjoyed postseason play in each of the last three seasons. The 2018/19 outlook doesn’t look as promising, with only three returning players from last year’s roster, and a small bench of two provides little depth.

However, despite the unforeseen losses of a pair of would-be returning starters, head coach Trevor Schlisner has a positive outlook, looking forward to working with the team, relying on Chris Amisi, Noraj Jean-Louis and Josiah Yeaton as his only returnees.

“I look forward to working with these young men. My goal is to help each student-athlete improve in their basketball skill set and understanding of the game,” Schlisner said. “I want them to love the game as much as I do and represent themselves, their family, coaches and school exceptionally well. Character far exceeds winning.”

After hosting Greater Portland Christian on Dec. 11, the Breakers will play on the road at Forest Hills (Dec. 13) and Seacoast Christian (Dec. 17) to finish up December. Following games at Rangeley (Jan. 2) and a pair at Vinalhaven (Jan. 3-4), the Breakers return home to host North Yarmouth Academy (Jan. 8). Other home games in include – St. Dom’s (Jan. 12), Forest Hills (Jan. 15), GPC (Jan. 26) and Seacoast Christian (Feb. 5). Notable road games are at Valley (Jan. 17), St. Dom’s (Jan. 28) and NYA (Jan. 29).

 

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