BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Dave Halligan (37th year, 581-147 overall record, six state championships)

2022-23 record: 17-4 (Lost, 42-41, to Brewer in Class A state final)

Top returning players: Chris Simonds (Senior), Henry Stowell (Senior), Charlie Wolak (Senior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 8 GRAY-NG, Dec. 12 @ Westbrook, Dec. 19 @ South Portland, Dec. 21 GORHAM, Jan. 3 GREELY, Jan. 9 @ Windham, Jan. 12 @ Thornton Academy, Jan. 19 NOBLE, Jan. 30 KENNEBUNK

Coach’s comment: “We graduated our top five from last year’s state game, but it’s a good group of guys. We have a bunch of interchangeable parts. We just need to play together and gain experience. We have depth and the right pieces. It’s just everyone doing their job. We have a very tough schedule, but we’ll compete all season. We have the ability to be there at the end.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth’s quest for a Class A title fell one agonizing point short a year ago, as the Navigators let a late lead slip away before Judd Armstrong’s potential game-winning runner at the horn was just off the mark. While no one who started in that game returns, the cupboard is far from bare and this year’s group has the pieces in place to get to the state game for a third consecutive season and finish the job.

Simonds, a first-team league all-star in 2022-23 after averaging 14.3 points and 9 rebounds per contest, suffered a late-season ankle injury last winter and had to miss the tournament. By all accounts, he’s due for a monster campaign this winter and will be unstoppable in the post, but he can handle the ball and step out and hit shots as well. Good luck to the opposition attempting to slow him down. Wolak is another force in the post. Stowell can light it up from the wing. Seniors Alex Findlay (guard) and Jace Meader (guard/forward) and junior guards Billy Birks, Jaxson Cameron and Davis Mann are poised to step right in and become household names. Birks projects to be the point guard, with Cameron and Meader seeing time in that role as well.

The Navigators have some company at the top of Class A South this season and while those teams will be tough tests, they’ll also have to play several of the finest squads Class AA has to offer. That means Falmouth will have to earn a high seed, but rest assured, as long as Simonds stays on the floor, good things will come. The Navigators will be a wagon by tournament time, will be able to light up the scoreboard as well as lock down the opposition and if they get another shot at the Gold Ball, will secure it with both hands.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Dawn Armandi (seventh year, 56-53 overall record)

2022-23 record: 12-8 (Lost, 49-27, to Brunswick in Class A South semifinals)

Top returning players: Emily Abbott (Senior), Maddy Christman (Senior), Leah Cunningham (Senior), Reese Farraher (Senior), Peaches Stucker (Senior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 8 @ Gray-New Gloucester, Dec. 11 @ Westbrook, Dec. 19 SOUTH PORTLAND, Dec. 21 @ Gorham, Dec. 28 @ Yarmouth, Jan. 2 GREELY, Jan. 4 GRAY-NG, Jan. 6 @ Brunswick, Jan. 9 WINDHAM, Jan. 27 MT. ARARAT, Feb. 5 FREEPORT, Feb. 8 WESTBROOK

Coach’s comment: “We have great team chemistry. I really enjoy coaching these girls. We have some varsity experience, but we have a long way to go. Our halfcourt defense looks good. We’ll just need to knock down shots. I’m hoping that we can land in the top five and be improved by the end.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth made another trip to the semifinals last year but was no match for eventual regional champion Brunswick. After graduating standout Anna Turgeon and all-star Katie Lozoraitis, there are some holes to fill, but the talent is there. It might just take a little while to jell.

Abbott is the point guard. She was a first-team all-star in 2022-23 after averaging 10.4 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2.5 steals per game. She’ll pace the offense. Christman was also an all-star last season after finishing second in Class A South with 11 rebounds per contest and first in blocks with 2.5. She’ll be a force down low, along with senior Kate Barter. Cunningham, Farraher and Stucker are veterans in the backcourt. Sophomores Jaelyn Meader and Jane McPheeters can play multiple positions and freshman Siobhan Nielsen is an up-and-coming talent at guard.

The Navigators are in a tough region, with few easy games. There will be some rough patches along the way, but the future is bright. Look for this group to compete with everyone and to be a difficult team to reckon with come February.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Deron Barton (13th year, 151-76-6 overall record, two state championships)

2022-23 record: 17-3 (Lost, 5-1, to South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete in Class A state semifinals)

Top returning players: Andrew Belliveau (Senior), Rowen Hagerty (Senior), Isaac Laliberte (Junior), Jack Turgeon (Junior), Brandon White (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 14 @ Portland/South Portland, Dec. 16 @ Edward Little, Dec. 21 THORNTON ACADEMY, Jan. 4 PORTLAND/SOUTH PORTLAND, Jan. 6 EDWARD LITTLE, Jan. 13 BANGOR, Jan. 15 @ Lewiston, Feb. 7 @ Bangor, Feb. 17 @ Thornton Academy, Feb. 20 LEWISTON

Coach’s comment: “I expect our team to be right in the mix come March. We have a solid mix of experienced juniors and seniors, supported by some very skilled and motivated underclassmen. I also expect it to be another season with the usual characters tightly bunched at the top. As always, avoiding injuries and untimely sickness will play into the standings, so a little luck from the hockey gods will once again be the wild card.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth steamrolled the opposition to the tune of a 17-game win streak a year ago, but its luck ran out in the state semifinals. This winter, the Navigators again have an abundance of returning talent and some key newcomers who will help make the squad even stronger.

While reigning Travis Roy Award winner Mitch Ham will be missed, this year’s offense will be paced by Belliveau (a second-team all-stater last season, who excels on special teams) and Hagerty (third on the team in scoring in 2022-23), along with freshmen Anthony Graceffa and Ramsey Hinkley. On the blue line, Turgeon is a third-year starter, and Laliberte can be a threat on the offensive end as well. White, an all-state first-team selection last winter, returns in goal and will be formidable.

The Navigators have the pieces in place to not only again boast a gaudy record, but this time take that final step in the playoffs. It’s been a decade since Falmouth has celebrated a championship. Don’t be surprised if that drought comes to an end in March.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY (CO-OP W/SCARBOROUGH)

Coach: Rob Carrier (14th year, 147–102-11 overall record)

2022-23 record: 5-12-1 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Morgan Adams (Senior), Trinity Grenier (Senior), Amelia Brann (Junior), Audrey Farnham (Junior), Hope Melevsky (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 9 @ Penobscot, Dec. 14 GORHAM, Dec. 30 @ Cape/Portland, Jan. 8 CHEVERUS, Jan. 13 CAPE/PORTLAND, Jan. 29 @ Gorham

Coach’s comment: “Our goal is to make the playoffs. From there, anything can happen. I do think we have the team that can get there too. We have some good scoring and solid defense. Our goalie is new, but has shown improvement in her short time out on the ice. I would expect her to continue to get better as the season moves along.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth/Scarborough fell just short of the posteason last winter, the first time that’s happened in a non-COVID year since 2011, and that will likely be an aberration. Falmouth/Scarborough lost to state runner-up Yarmouth/Freeport (8-1) in its opener, then got in the win column over York (9-1) before falling Tuesday to Biddeford (3-2).

This year’s team will be offensively by Falmouth’s Adams (12 goals, 8 assists during an All-Conference campaign last season), Farnham (15 goals, 7 assists) and Grenier (5 goals, 10 assists), Scarborough’s Melevsky (11 goals, 7 assists) and Falmouth senior Eve Chace, who missed last season with a knee injury. Scarborough freshmen Lexie Bellerose and Avery Larson arrive to provide even more scoring punch. Chace is also a top defender. She’ll be joined on the blue line by Falmouth’s Brann (5 goals, 9 assists last season) and Scarborough freshman Alex Serbin. Scarborough junior Jaelyn Braley is in goal.

This group will have plenty of scoring opportunities. Look for Falmouth/Scarborough to hang tough with just about everyone it matches up with and for it to improve on last year’s win-loss record. A return to the playoffs is a distinct possibility and once there, this will be a squad that no one wants to face.

INDOOR TRACK

Coach: Jorma Kurry (24th year, six state championships)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 3rd @ Class A state meet
(Girls) tie-11th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) George Klatsky (Junior), Avery Park Morong (Junior), Max Shapiro (Junior)
(Girls) Bella Koepsell (Senior), Haley Barrett (Junior), Skylar Bush (Junior), Caroline Davis (Junior), Maeve Ginevan (Junior), Brynn Fortier (Sophomore), Sara Tennent (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment “The boys are looking to fill a lot of graduation holes, but we have some strong newcomers who will have an immediate impact. We’ll look to improve as the season goes on and strive to be at our best at the big meets. The girls have much improved numbers and most of our point scorers back from last year. We’ll have improved depth and look to be strong particularly across the relays. If we can develop more jumpers, this can be a very good team.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth will be a force to be reckoned with in the regular season and certainly in the postseason as well.

The boys’ squad lost a lot of state meet points to graduation, but the cupboard isn’t bare. The Navigators will be led by Shapiro, a top sprinter, who was fifth in the 200 and seventh in the 55 last winter. He’s joined in the short races by juniors Gio Guerrette and Joey Guerrette and sophomores Ali Carter, Luke Roy and Abram Wintersteen. Roy will also take part in the hurdles. Falmouth will be strong in the throws behind Klatsky and Park-Morong and senior Will Gale.

The girls feature Tennent, who placed fourth last year in the 800 and will be a top distance runner as a sophomore. Barrett, Ginevan, Koepsell and freshmen Parker Fox and Georgia Moon will also be strong in the longer races. Bush (sixth in the 200 and eighth in the 55 last February) will be a scoring threat in the sprints, as will Davis, sophomore Keira Kelly and freshman Hadley Perry. On the field side, Fortier is a jumper to watch.

SWIMMING

Coach: Boomer Druchniak (second year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys)  12th @ Class A state meet
(Girls) 11th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Miles Mannion (Senior), Sean Lowery (Junior), Elliott Resnick (Junior), Luka Topalovic (Junior)
(Girls) Jillian James (Senior), Zoe Weisenfluh (Senior), Sofia Pride (Junior), Felicity Record (Sophomore), Lia Stultz (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We graduated a lot of talent last year, but our team is larger than ever and poised for a strong season. We have a lot of new talent on both sides. We regained a large group of experienced swimmers that we have been missing in years past, club swimmers. Adding a large group of talented swimmers to the freshman and sophomore classes gives the team a significant amount of additional reach and depth in competitive environments. Our roster has almost doubled in size this year and more than half the team is joining for their first season with us. We have a lot of talent and experience, but I see so much room for growth already, even though it is early in the season. The team is coming together as a unit nicely and our focus on building a strong community over the last two years has made it easy to welcome and accommodate all the new voices. I think we are going to have an explosive season and would not be surprised at all if we compete at states or Southwesterns this year, even with the young overall age of the team. The added experience brought by the returning club swimmers is something we have been sorely missing as a team and I’m excited to see what the extra energy brings us this year. Expect us to be loud on the pool deck and fast into the final lap.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth is hopeful of a strong season and both the girls and boys have what it takes to be in the top 10 at states.

The girls’ squad is led by James, the reigning state champion in diving, who hopes to finish atop the standings again. Pride (distance freestyle), Record (100 breaststroke), Stultz (distance freestyle) and Weisenfluh (100 butterfly and 200 individual medley) are other veterans. Sophomores Kate Gorsuch and Vanessa Napolitano and freshman Calla Hehmeyer are top newcomers.

On the boys’ side, Lowery (distance freestyle), Mannion (sprint freestyle), Resnick (IM) and Topalovic (freestyle and breaststroke) are the veterans. They’re joined by new sophomore Malcolm Sprague and freshmen Boi Boi Nguyen and Ben Zaslavsky.

ALPINE SKIING

Coach: Evan Keefer (first year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 2nd @ Class A state meet
(Girls) Class A state champions

Top returners:

(Boys) Nolan Browne (Sophomore), Eli Bush (Sophomore), Ian Christie (Sophomore), Hayden Davis (Sophomore)
(Girls) Sadie Kramer (Junior), Bridget Jacobsen (Sophomore), Kate Swallow (Sophomore), Regan Swallow (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We are a young team with 12 sophomores and seven freshman out of 22 skiers. We have very strong returning skiers and incoming freshmen. My goal is for us to perform at the level we are capable of and to improve as the season progresses. If we execute as planned, our results will be competitive.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth has a lot of youth this winter, but there is a lot of talent regardless. Keefer takes over the program. He previously coached at Waterville Valley Academy. He inherits a squad that in time will be a very formidable group.

The boys return Christie, who excelled a year ago (placing third in the giant slalom and fourth in the slalom at states). Browne, Bush and Davis all look to play big roles this season. They’re joined by sophomore Zach Small and freshmen Liam Keefer and Blake Kingsley.

On the girls’ side, a couple losses will be felt, as sophomore Margo Hesson, who was third in the slalom last season, will miss the year due to injury, and Celia Geci, who placed fourth in the slalom and fifth in the GS, has graduated. Jacobson (fifth in the GS, eighth in the slalom) is back and leads the way. Kramer and Kate Swallow and Regan Swallow also have experience. Sophomore Ella Morse and freshman Riley Davis are new to the team and will be heard from.

NORDIC SKIING

Coach: Tate Mendall (first year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 6th @ Class A state meet
(Girls) 4th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Oliver DeSilva (Senior), Ryan Zamer (Senior)
(Girls) Sydney Young (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “I’m new to the team and really looking forward to learning, growing and getting faster with these athletes, I’d like us to make it to states.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Falmouth welcomes a new coach this winter and hopes to remain one of the top teams in Class A.

The boys’ squad returns DeSilva and Zamer, both of whom will be in contention. If some other skiers can step up, look out for the Navigators in February.

On the girls’ side, Sydney Young leads the way. She was 18th in the classic a year ago. Freshmen Ani Bush and Lily Young will be factors as well.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. For game updates and links to game stories, follow him on Threads: @foresports2023

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