BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Travis Seaver (12th year, 158-59 overall record, three state titles)

2022-23 record: 10-9 (Lost, 72-31, to Westbrook in Class A South quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Jackson Leding (Senior), Kade Ippolito (Junior), Ethan Michaud (Junior)

Pivotal games: Dec. 8 @ Westbrook, Dec. 12 GORHAM, Dec. 19 @ Gray-New Gloucester, Dec. 28 YORK, Jan. 3 @ Falmouth, Jan. 19 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 27 @ Yarmouth, Jan. 30 GRAY-NG, Feb. 2 NOBLE

Coach’s comment: “Our downfall last year was inexperience, but a lot of the guys got decent minutes. Defensively, we’ll have to play well. Offensively, we have to relentlessly attack the rim and go in and out when needed. It’s an athletic team. We’ll get better throughout the year. The ideal goal is to be in the top third, play our best basketball in February and be a team no one wants to play.

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely had a memorable campaign last winter, taking part in a record-setting eight overtime game during the regular season and winning four of its final five contests, but the Rangers ran into a buzzsaw from Westbrook in a quarterfinal round contest that was over quickly. Greely graduated all-stars Hayden MacArthur, Tyler Pettingill and Seamus Raftice, but there are pieces in place to compete again.

Michaud will be the point guard. He can find teammates and get to the hoop himself. Leding could be a top scorer at the other guard position. Ippolito has seen some big minutes as an underclassmen. He’ll be a top threat inside and will be joined by juniors Andrew Padgett (Greely’s Fall Athlete of the Year, who is still battling his way back from an injury suffered during the football state game) and Owen Partridge. Senior Logan Vergara is another guard to watch.

The Rangers will have their hands full in a new-look Class A and there aren’t many easy games on the schedule. Expect Seaver to get the most from this group and for Greely to show steady improvement in the weeks to come. By February, the Rangers will be in the title mix.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Todd Flaherty (eighth year, 115-23 overall record, two state titles)

2022-23 record: 8-11 (Lost, 39-25, to Gray-New Gloucester in Class A South quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Kylie Crocker (Senior), Lauren Hester (Senior), Asja Kelman (Senior), Zada Smith (Senior), Cece Berthiaume (Junior), Molly Partridge (Junior), Grier Wright (Junior), Avery Bush (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 12 @ Gorham, Dec. 15 @ Freeport, Dec. 19 GRAY-NG, Jan. 12 @ Mt. Ararat, Jan. 15 @ Cheverus, Jan. 23 @ Brunswick, Jan. 27 YARMOUTH, Jan. 30 @ Gray-New Gloucester, Feb. 6 DEERING

Coach’s comment: “We have a good defensive team and we’ll play hard, but we’ll be challenged to score points. We’ll need to have balanced scoring. We have great athletes, so we’ll press and play fullcourt. We have a tough schedule and play in a competitive league. We just want to improve and get in the tournament.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely finally came back to the pack last winter and while the Rangers are without a superstar this season, they have a lot of depth and balance and that will help them stay in contention in a challenging Class A South.

Kelman was a third-team league all-star last season. She’s a captain, a tenacious defender, rebounder (7.4 per game last season) and can put the ball in the basket as well. Crocker (a wing player who made the All-Defensive team in 2022-23) and Hester (center) are the other captains. Berthiaume will be the point guard. She’s adept at finding open teammates. Freshman Hannah Hussey will also have the ball in her hands. Bush, Partridge and Wright are other guards to watch. Smith can play forward or center and will be a force in the paint.

Greely will play hard every time out and its defense will keep it in games. If the Rangers can get consistent, balanced scoring, they’ll be able to reach their goal of making it to the playoffs.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Barry Mothes (30th year, 360-226-16 overall record, five state championships)

2022-23 record: 2-16 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Sean Allen (Senior), Will Klein (Senior), Lucas Martin (Senior), Charlie Moore (Senior), Finn Murphy (Senior), Cullen Rafford (Senior), Coben Donnelly (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 16 @ Cheverus/Yarmouth, Dec. 18 @ Brunswick/Freeport, Dec. 23 YORK, Jan. 13 PORTLAND/SOUTH PORTLAND, Jan. 20 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 25 CAPE ELIZABETH, Feb. 3 @ Leavitt, Feb. 8 LEAVITT, Feb. 17 @ York, Feb. 21 CHEVERUS/YARMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “After a challenging 2022-23 season significantly impacted by the lack of experienced goaltending due to an injury, (this year’s team) will be looking to a small but experienced core of seniors to get the team back in playoff contention. Facing yet another challenging regular season schedule with two games each against all Class B South teams and challenging crossovers games versus strong Class A teams, we’ll be looking to make improvements in all areas of our game. We will need every player in our lineup to work harder and play smarter, but I think we have a committed group of seniors who are determined to play some strong hockey this season and to push themselves and everyone else to get us back toward the upper half of the standings. We faced a lot of challenges last season as individuals and as a team, but the team stuck together and we all learned a lot. We’re hungry to get started on the new journey.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely had a rare down season last winter, but is primed to surge right back up the standings this winter.

Offensively, the Rangers return Moore (11 goals, six assists to lead the team in 2022-23). He was a third-team league all-star and is a captain. He will be a factor all over the ice and will be heard from on special teams as well. Donnelly, Martin (2 goals, 3 assists last season), Murphy (3 goals, 2 assists), juniors Finn Craven, Rylan Haight and Ezra McDuffie and freshmen Noah Baril, Elijah Bumby, Declan Craven and Jack Noone are other forwards to watch. On the blue line, Greely will be led by Allen (3 goals, 7 assists), a captain, who moves back from the forward position, as well as Rafford (3 goals, 5 assists during a third-team all-star campaign last year), junior Alex Wharton and sophomores Andrew Adams and Colten Miedema. Klein earned Greely Winter Athlete of the Year honors last season after stepping into the breach and playing hard throughout. He returns between the pipes and will be even stronger. Freshman Tucker Goddu will also see time in goal.

The Rangers will be tested throughout by a very challenging slate, but this group is prepared to be more of a factor this winter. Look for a big improvement in regards to the win-loss record and for Greely to return to the playoffs, where it will be equipped to compete with any top contender.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Meg Finlay (second year)

2022-23 record: 0-18 (no postseason)

Top returning players: Allie Dominski (Senior), Katie Dubbert (Senior), Zoe Trepaney (Junior)

Pivotal games: Jan. 1 FALMOUTH/SCARBOROUGH, Jan. 18 @ Falmouth/Scarborough,

Coach’s comment: “Our program is really looking forward to building on last year. With young experience last year, this year I’m excited to see what we can accomplish with more experience under our belt. One thing this team isn’t lacking is heart and hard work. It’s amazing to watch how far they have come in a year.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely, which also includes players from Gray-New Gloucester, has already exceeded last year’s win total, thanks to a 3-1 victory over Mt. Ararat. The Rangers, who also have losses to the Portland and Gorham co-op teams, look to continue to climb their way back into contention.

Dominski, a senior forward, and Dubbert, a senior forward, are both captains. Trepaney, a defender, is an assistant captain. Freshman Charley Louie will be in goal. There are a lot of talented athletes on this roster who will keep the team competitive.

Greely is only going to get better in the weeks to come and could be a threat to reach the playoffs. What a turnaround season that would be.

INDOOR TRACK

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

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 9th @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 5th @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Charlie Anania (Senior), Jonah Guibord (Senior), Sam Kim (Senior), Gaelen Lucey (Senior), Sam Anania (Junior), Liam Coull (Junior), Liam Magoon (Junior), Alex Mendoza (Junior), Cade Potts (Sophomore), Camden Wengler (Sophomore)
(Girls) Abigail Jacobson (Senior), Jackie Franklin (Junior), Abby Lennox (Junior), Lilian Pierce (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “Following a strong outdoor season, the boys hope to make the top five with qualifiers in many events. The girls look to improve on their finish of last year with the addition of newcomers and experienced veterans.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely will be battling with Freeport and York for top honors in the conference and has the pieces in place to be a top five team in the state come February.

The girls return Jacobson, a top sprinter who came in fifth in the 200 and seventh in the 55 a year ago at states. She’ll look to move up this winter. Pierce (seventh in the 200), Franklin and Lennox are other returning sprinters. They’re joined by freshman Tori Zandan. Lennox will also run the middle distance events. Sophomore Emma Stein is a top threat in the distance. On the field side, Franklin and Zandan will be top jumpers and junior Marinna Emery competes in the pole vault.

The boys’ squad is led by three top pole vaulters, Sam Anania (fifth last year), Magoon (sixth) and Wengler (seventh). Lucey will compete in the jumps (he was eighth in the triple jump a year ago). Charlie Anania and Mendoza will also look to score in the jumps. On the track, sprinters include Lucey (fifth in the 400), Charlie Anania, Kim and junior Bez Mendelsohn. Guibord is a top hurdler. Coull, Potts and freshman Owen Cooper lead the way in the distance events.

SWIMMING

Coach: Rob Hale (31st year w/boys’ team, 33rd year w/girls, 13 state championships)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 3rd @ Class B state meet
(Girls) 3rd @ Class B state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Brady Hale (Senior), Tommy Leggat-Barr (Senior), Asa Giffune (Junior), Hayden Petrie (Junior), Mason Rodgers (Junior), Ike Barr (Sophomore)
(Girls) Audrey Cohen (Senior), Samantha Lewis (Sophomore), Jordan Young (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “This will be our first girls’ rebuilding year. We graduated 12 seniors and eight state meet scorers, so we only have seven returning swimmers and four state meet qualifiers. We have been able to recruit some upperclassmen athletes, 11 freshmen and a new kid from Virginia with some experience, so that will help. With the addition of three new schools to Class B, we are hoping to stay in the top 10. If the first few weeks are any indication we will be competitive come February. Audrey will lead us in and out of the pool. She is looking to try some new events. This is one of the best boys’ teams in my career. No frontline stars, but a lot of wonderful depth and versatility. A couple of freshmen and a senior soccer player will add to that greatly. We graduated only one, although Matt Desmond was an all-state swimmer. The boys are excited to make some noise in February.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: It promises to be another memorable and triumphant campaign for the Greely swim team.

The boys have a shot at winning their first title since 2014.Giffune is the top returner. He won the 500 freestyle and placed third in the 200 free a year ago at states. He’ll be a premier distance threat again. Leggat-Barr, who placed third in the 200 individual medley and third in the 100 backstroke last February, will shoot for the top spot in those events this time around. Barr (third in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the IM last season) and Hale (fourth in the IM, seventh in the backstroke) can also swim the 100 butterfly in addition to their other events. Petrie (seventh in the breaststroke) will be heard from in the breaststroke and the butterfly and Rodgers is a top sprinter. The Rangers are chasing Cape Elizabeth and also have to deal with Mt. Desert Island, but have what it takes to ascend to the top spot.

The girls might not have the depth of some years, but they do boast an all-time great in Cohen, who will swim next year at Penn State. Cohen, a two-time All-American, holds the state record in the 100 breaststroke and won the state title last year in that event, as well as the fly. She can dominate in any race she enters. Young (seventh in the 500 free last year) will be heard from in the IM and the fly. Lewis competes in the backstroke. While Greely isn’t a favorite this year, it will steadily improve and will steal some headlines at the championship meets in February.

ALPINE SKIING

Coach: Mark Ouellette (27th year)

2022-23 results:
(Boys) 11th @ Class A state meet
(Girls) 6th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Asher Gorris (Senior), Jude Cook (Junior), Ben McCarron (Junior), Quinton Jones (Sophomore), Isaiah Morgan (Sophomore)
(Girls) Whitney Bond (Senior), Lydia Miller (Senior), Karinna Beacham (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “The girls should be competitive. The boys are a completely different group. We got bumped down to Class B, so states will be a new adventure at Black Mountain in February.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely moves down from Class A to Class B this season and should be in contention, like usual.

The girls will be led by Bond, who will be among the top skiers in the conference. Beacham and Miller look to play key roles as well. Freshmen Sydney Klimaytis, Ava Lemanski, Caitlin McCarron and Audrey Seddon are also vying for spots.

On the boys’ side, McCarron projects to be the top skier. Gorris is a senior veteran. Cook, Jones and Morgan hope to make an impact and several new freshmen will also be in the mix.

NORDIC SKIING

Coach: Emily Cartwright (first year)

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

Top returners:

(Boys) Ben Wall (Senior), Tait Harvey (Sophomore)
(Girls) Sylvia Harvey (Senior)

Coach’s comment: “The team has grown, with 13 of the 22 skiers being new. This is with the welcome addition of three foreign exchange students this season. The girls’ team should be strong in both spirit and on the skis. The addition and return of strong, experienced skiers adds depth that should bolster the team’s ambitions in a competitive Western Maine Conference. The boys’ team lost a couple top skiers from last year’s Class A runners-up squad. Wall and Harvey will compete for podiums and lead a young team that could turn some heads in February. We have a large group of seniors who will lead us through a fun and successful winter.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Greely is back in Class B this winter after more than holding its own at the Class A level. The Rangers will have a shot at doing big things by the end of the season.

The girls return Harvey, who was sixth in the classic and seventh in the freestyle last winter. A top five finish from Harvey this time around wouldn’t be a surprise. The squad is bolstered by seniors Alina Schueman and Chloe Schueman, who spent last year in France, as well as freshmen Evelyn LaCasse and Sarah Weisz.

The boys’ squad has two proven commodities in Harvey (second in the classic, third in the freestyle last year) and Wall (fifth in the freestyle), who will help Greely remain in contention throughout.

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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