BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Travis Seaver (11th year, 148-50 overall record, three state titles)

2021-22 record: 12-8 (Lost, 46-34, to Marshwood in Class A South semifinals)

Top returning players: Hayden MacArthur (Senior), Seamus Raftice (Senior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 14 BRUNSWICK, Dec. 16 @ Gray-NG, Dec. 20 @ Gorham, Dec. 23 @ York, Jan. 5 YORK, Jan 7 YARMOUTH, Jan. 10 @ Falmouth, Jan. 14 CAPE ELIZABETH, Jan. 28 @ Yarmouth, Feb. 8 GRAY-NG

Coach’s comment: “We graduated 10 guys, so we’re pretty inexperienced. We have to quickly gain experience and confidence. I think the league is super-competitive and there will be a lot of competitive games. Our goal is to be at our best and hopefully be in the mix come tournament-time.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely reached the semifinals for the sixth consecutive tournament a year ago, but most of that squad has departed and the Rangers have a lot of holes to fill this winter. Look for some new names to step into the void and keep Greely near the top of a deep and balanced Class A South.

Raftice is a top returner. He’ll score inside and out. MacArthur also has experience. He’s in the backcourt. Senior guard Tyler Pettengill, junior guard Jackson Leding and sophomore guard Ethan Michaud will look to put the ball in the basket as well. Several other new players will fill roles.

The Rangers will have their hands full with a very tough schedule and they just want to get into the tournament regardless of record. Then, Greely could make life very difficult for any team that it matches up against.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Todd Flaherty (seventh year, 107-12 overall record, two state titles)

2021-22 record: 16-5 (Lost, 60-46, to Skowhegan in Class A state final)

Top returning players: Sophia Ippolito (Senior), Asja Kelman (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 14 @ Brunswick, Dec. 16 @ Gray-NG, Dec. 20 GORHAM, Jan. 7 YARMOUTH, Jan. 10 FALMOUTH, Jan. 28 @ Yarmouth, Feb. 8 GRAY-NG

Coach’s comment: “We’ve played tough teams in the preseason and they taught us what we need to work on. We have a lot of talent to replace. A lot of points, rebounds and leadership. Everyone is going to have to step up. We have good balance. We’re look for the right combinations. I think we’ll get better and be formidable. At the end of the year, we want to beat somebody and if we can beat somebody, we think we can beat anybody.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely wasn’t supposed to be a title contender a year ago, but thanks in large part to the rise of Chelsea Graiver, the Rangers got all the way to the state final where they finally met their match in Skowhegan. Graiver is now at Stonehill College and it appears that Greely’s long stretch of boasting superstar players, which dates back to Ashley Storey and also included Anna DeWolfe, Camille Clement, Brooke Obar and Gravier, is over, but never, ever write this program off.

Ippolito, who averaged 10.9 points per game a year ago, will lead the way this season. She was a second-team league all-star and part of the All-Defensive team a year ago. She’ll not only cover the opposition’s top shooter, but she’ll score her share of points as well. Ippolito will see time at point guard, along with sophomore Grier Wright, who showed promise late last season. Kelman is another veteran guard who played some key minutes in last year’s tournament run. Junior Kylie Crocker will also factor into the backcourt story. Down low, look for senior Cassidy Dean and junior Lauren Hester to make an impact.

The Rangers aren’t the favorite this season (of course, they weren’t last year either). It appears Brunswick is the team to beat, with the likes of Falmouth, Gray-New Gloucester and Mt. Ararat also formidable. Greely is happy to not wear the bullseye and that should translate into a team that will roll into form in the weeks to come. The Rangers always seem to be at their best at season’s end and you can expect that trend to continue this winter.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Barry Mothes (29th year, 358-210-16 overall record, five state championships)

2021-22 record: 16-5 (Lost, 6-4, to eventual champion Brunswick in Class B South Final)

Top returning players: Teddy Conway (Senior), Matt Kennedy (Senior), Sean Allen (Junior), Lucas Martin (Junior), Charlie Moore (Junior), Finn Murphy (Junior), Cullen Rafford (Junior), Landon Werner (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 17 @ Edward Little, Jan. 2 @ Falmouth, Jan. 16 BRUNSWICK, Jan. 19 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 26 @ Cheverus/Yarmouth, Feb. 4 CHEVERUS/YARMOUTH, Feb. 11 @ Brunswick, Feb. 14 THORNTON ACADEMY, Feb. 18 CAPE ELIZABETH

Coach’s comment: “After losing a large group of talented players to graduation, we will be looking to a number of new and younger players to step up to carry on the success developed over the past six years. We will be looking to make up for some 50 goals lost to graduation, as well as develop more depth at defense after the graduation of several veterans there. We’re excited to get the season started and will be looking to keep improving week-by-week to get ourselves into the playoff hunt come January and February.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely’s title reign came to a close last season and graduation hit the program hard, but the Rangers have the pieces in place to make another run in Class B South this winter.

Werner is a top returner on offense. He scored 13 goals, including a hat trick in Greely’s first-ever win over Lewiston, and added seven assists a year ago. He’s going to make life miserable for the opposition. Allen (2 goals, 3 assists), Conway (1 goal, 5 assists), Martin (4 goals, 5 assists), Moore (1 goal, 10 assists) and Murphy (3 goals, 4 assists) all look to help the cause. Sophomores Finn Craven, Rylan Haight, Ezra McDuffie and freshman Coben Donnolly are new and will be heard from as well. On defense, Kennedy is the seasoned veteran. Rafford saw time a year ago as well. Both defensemen can help out on offense and will be key members of special teams as well. They’ll get help from junior Tyler Haight, sophomore Alex Wharton and freshman Colten Miedema. Veteran goalie senior Keji Wiessner (who was 7-4 with a 2.14 goals against average ad a .908 save percentage a year ago) is sidelined with an injury he suffered last spring. Greely is hoping he can return by season’s end. Junior Will Klein will fill the void in Wiessner’s stead.

For the first time in a long time, the Rangers aren’t the favorite, but they can’t be overlooked. While Brunswick has the pieces in place to make a repeat run and teams like Cape Elizabeth and Cheverus/Yarmouth will also be strong, Greely is going to be the squad that no one wants to see on its schedule and rest assured no one will want to have to go through the Rangers in the postseason.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Meg Finlay (first year)

2021-22 record: 3-13 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Maddie Singer (Senior), Katie Dubbert (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 17 YARMOUTH, Jan. 2 FALMOUTH, Jan. 28 WINSLOW

Coach’s comment: “We hope to generate some offense and win some games. We are very proud of our team and their willingness to learn and work hard. They bring a lot of heart to this program and it will be fun to watch them develop over the season.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely, which is once again teaming with Gray-New Gloucester as a co-op, started with losses to Brewer, Lewiston and Mt. Ararat. The Rangers have a new coach this season in Finlay, who starred for four seasons for Greely, then played four years at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. Finlay, along with assistant coach Emily Falvey, inherit an inexperienced, but hungry group.

The Rangers return Singer in goal. Dubbert also has experience. She play forward along with sophomore Jane Flynn. Sophomore Allie Dominski will play defense. Senior Avery Haskins and sophomore Zoe Trepaney join the squad from Gray-New Gloucester and will step right in on the defensive side as well.

Greely will show steady improvement and will play hard every time it takes the ice. The Rangers hope that turns into some victories in the weeks to come and if all goes well, perhaps a playoff berth come February.

INDOOR TRACK

Coach: David Dowling (fourth year, one state championship)

2021-22 results: Boys’ 28th @ Class B state meet; Girls’ Class B state champions

Top returners:

(Boys) Kennett Adande (Senior), Christian Wengler (Senior), Charlie Anania (Junior), Gaelen Lucey (Junior), Sam Anania (Sophomore), Liam Coull (Sophomore)

(Girls) Jennifer Medrano (Senior), Elise Provencher (Senior), Lia Traficonti (Senior), Abigail Jacobson (Junior), Abigail Lennox (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “The girls hope to finish in top five after graduating a number of scorers from last year’s championship team. With the addition of some promising sprinters, vaulters, and jumpers, the boys’ team hopes to finish in the top half of the field.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely is always in the mix in Class B and that will again be the case this winter.

The girls stole headlines a year ago, capturing the state title by a mere three points over York and while graduation took its toll, look for the Rangers to remain near the top of the heap. Elle Jowett’s 30 points from last February have departed, but Greely will still be a force to be reckoned with in the sprints, as Jacobson (runner-up in both the 55 and 200 last winter) returns and is joined by promising freshman Lillian Pierce. Provencher (seventh in the 400 last season) and is a top middle-distance threat. Lennox will be heard from in the hurdles. In field events, Traficonte returns after placing runner-up in the triple jump and fourth in the long jump. She’s joined by Medrano (seventh in the triple jump). Look for the Rangers to be very dangerous by February.

On the boys’ side, Greely is poised to move up the standings. Coull is the lone returning scorer (seventh at states in the mile) and looks to improve. Anania (hurdles) and Lucey (sprints) are other veterans on the track side. They’re bolstered by the arrival of junior sprinter Samuel Kim and freshman distance runner Cade Potts. In field events, Adande (shot put), Anania (pole vault) and Wengler (pole vault) lead the way. Freshman Camden Wengler is a new vaulter to watch.

SWIMMING

Coach: Rob Hale (30th year w/boys’ team, 32nd year w/girls, 13 state championships)

2021-22 results: Boys’ 3rd @ Class B state meet; Girls’ 4th @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Matt Desmond (Senior), Tommy Leggat-Barr (Junior), Asa Giffune (Sophomore)

(Girls) Emma Cyr (Senior), Kate Hankinson (Senior), Abby Hollis (Senior), Emma Richard (Senior), Audrey Cohen (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “Last year was the first time out of the top three at states in 20-plus years (1995) for the girls. It is something that still stings. We are pretty much the same team as last. We graduated one scorer and one didn’t return. We hope to make this year special for our huge group of 12 wonderful seniors. They have carried us for three years and will again this year. Finishing top two in our conference meet and top three at states are the goals. We need to be healthy at states this year. The boys graduated a lot of points, so there are a lot of gaps. We have a solid core but we need a bunch of kids to move on from blowing bubbles. The many newcomers from last year are looking and expected to contribute this year. This band of ‘Bad News Bears’ are still trying to figure it out. We can’t wait to see what develops.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Most programs would take the Rangers’ “down” year in a heartbreat, which just goes to show how much Greely has accomplished under Hale and how high the bar is set. Expect another very strong campaign in the pool for the Rangers this time around.

The girls’ squad returns Cohen, who was an All-American after winning the Class B state title in the breaststroke with a state record time of 1 minute, 3.27 seconds and who also won the 50 free. She leads the way. Only a junior, all eyes will be on her as she shines in any event she attempts, individually or as part of a relay team. Hollis is the reigning state champion in the backstroke and is back for more. She’ll also contend in the individual medley (she placed fifth last season). Rounding out a potential powerhouse team is Cyr (third in the 500 free and eighth in the 200 free), Hankinson (fourth in the butterfly, fifth in the breaststroke) and Richard (fifth in the 100 free and seventh in the backstroke). Greely has the daunting task of solving Cape Elizabeth, but a return to the top three at states is likely.

On the boys’ side, Desmond is the reigning Class B champion in the 200 free. He was also runner-up in the 500 free and will be a top distance threat. Leggat-Barr finished fourth in the backstroke and eighth in the IM a year ago. He’ll look to move up. Giffune (fourth in the 500 free and sixth in the 200 free) is the other key returner. The Rangers will be bolstered by the arrival of junior Brady Hale (distance freestyle) and freshman Ike Barr (breaststroke) as they try to track down Cape Elizabeth. Look for steady growth from this squad.

ALPINE SKIING

Coach: Mark Ouellette (26th year)

2021-22 results: Boys’ 15th @ Class A state meet; Girls’ 9th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Lukas Cook (Senior), Calum Sheff (Senior)

(Girls) Ruth Weeks (Senior), Whitney Bond (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “On the girls’ side, we have four returners and two exchange students. The ladies look athletic and have the skiing experience to succeed, they just need to get it done. Ruth, followed by Whitney, should be our top two skiers. The exchange students are experienced skiers, but have never raced. On the boys’ side, Greely’s top racer should be Ben, followed by Lukas, then who knows.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely has some question marks as the season dawns, but it boasts skiers who will impress in the weeks to come.

The boys return Cook, who was 32nd in the giant slalom a year ago. Sheff is also experienced. Junior Asher Gorris, sophomores Jude Cook and Ben McCarron and freshmen Isaiah Morgan and James Quinton also factor into the mix.

On the girls’ side, Weeks (Greely’s Fall Athlete of the Year after winning an individual state title in golf) looks to build on her fantastic junior skiing campaign when she was fourth in the slalom and fifth in the GS. Juniors Lydia Miller and Whitney Bond and sophomore Karinna Beecham are other skiers to watch. Exchange students Greta Geissinger and Elisa Sedmak are wild cards who could help the Rangers boast a high finish.

NORDIC SKIING

Coach: Kyle Dancause (fourth year)

2021-22 results: Boys’ 6th @ Class A state meet; Girls’ 5th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Ben Wall (Junior), Bez Mendelsohn (Sophomore)

(Girls) Fiona Barry (Senior), Sylvia Harvey (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “These are great kids who train hard, do things the right way and have fun together. We have a core group of proud, experienced skiers who all have racing experience. I expect to see big improvements from a number of skiers in their second high school season. On the girls side, we have lost three of our top four skiers from last year’s team that won the WMC championship. Sylvia will lead the girls and be a podium contender in many races. Our boys’ team will be much more competitive this season. With the addition of two strong freshman skiers and a deep junior class, expect us to be increasingly competitive and contend this year and next. The work ethic has been tremendous in the first weeks of dry-land training. We are hoping for a big snow winter as our sights are set on the state championships in Fort Kent in February.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely has a lot to be excited about on the trails this winter.

Wall leads the boys’ team. He was 12th in the classic and 17th in the freestyle last season. Mendelsohn (16th freestyle, 17th classic) is right there with him. Freshmen Tait Harvey and Alex Wall round out a solid nucleus.

On the girls’ side, Harvey (15th in the freestyle and 18th in the classic ) and Barry (49th in the freestyle and 51st in the classic) return. After that, the Rangers hope some newcomers step up to keep them in the hunt.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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