BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Senior Blake Harris is a key returner for Scarborough’s up-and-coming boys’ basketball team. File photos.
Coach: Phil Conley (eighth year, 57-69 overall record)
2022-23 record: 7-13 (Lost, 63-37, to South Portland in Class AA South semifinals)
Top returning players: Brayden Couture (Senior), Liam Garriepy (Senior), Nate Glidden (Senior), Blake Harris (Senior), Liam Jefferds (Senior), Carter Blanche (Sophomore), Spencer Booth (Sophomore)
Pivotal games: Dec. 14 SOUTH PORTLAND, Dec. 18 CHEVERUS, Jan. 4 THORNTON ACADEMY, Jan. 6 @ Gorham, Jan. 9 @ Edward Little, Jan. 15 @ South Portland, Jan. 19 @ Thornton Academy, Feb. 8 GORHAM
Coach’s comment: “Last year’s experience, getting to the Civic Center, is going to help this team. We have nine guys back from last season. The guys have been working hard in the preseason and getting better each day. We have some great leadership this year. It’s a special group. They’re close on and off the court. I think we can score multiple ways, inside and out. We have good guards and bigs. It’s the biggest team I’ve had at Scarborough. Class AA South is extremely balanced and strong, but I think we can be right in the mix.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough was certainly at its best at the end of last season, stunning Gorham in the quarterfinals to make an unexpected trip to the Civic Center. A lot of players who received trial by fire a year ago are back and ready to lead the Red Storm to even bigger things this winter.
Garriepy will be one of the top players in Class AA South. A year ago, despite being limited by injury, he averaged 11.3 points and 3.5 rebounds per contest and was an honorable mention league all-star. At 6-foot-5, Garriepy can play inside and out and he’ll be tough on the defensive end, as well as on the glass. Harris (10.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.4 steals) was also an honorable mention last season. He’ll be tough in the frontcourt, as will the 6-foot-9 Booth (4.6 rpg), 6-foot-6 Couture and Glidden (3.5 rpg). Blanche (8.8 ppg, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals) and Jefferds (6.4 ppg, 2.6 apg, 1.8 spg) will see time at point guard. Senior Matt Lemelin is another player to watch in the backcourt.
Scarborough has size, experience and hunger and that will serve it well in a very tough Class AA South, which features the two-time defending state champions in South Portland, as well as potential powerhouses Thornton Academy and Gorham. The Red Storm will be in the mix to make it to the Civic Center, however, and perhaps even advance deeper than last year, if all goes well.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Senior Caroline Hartley will be one of the best players not only in the region but in the entire state and she’ll look to lead the Red Storm on a deep playoff run.
Coach: Mike Giordano (11th year, 113-73 overall record)
2022-23 record: 9-11 (Lost, 53-34, to Thornton Academy in Class A South semifinals)
Top returning players: Caroline Hartley (Senior), Emerson Flaker (Junior), Isabel Freedman (Junior), Ellie Rumelhart (Junior), Megan Rumelhart (Junior)
Pivotal games: Dec. 12 WINDHAM, Dec. 15 @ South Portland, Dec. 21 @ Lewiston, Dec. 28 @ Cheverus, Jan. 4 @ Thornton Academy, Jan. 6 @ Gorham, Jan. 15 SOUTH PORTLAND, Jan. 19 GORHAM, Feb. 5 THORNTON ACADEMY
Coach’s comment: “We’re trying to figure out who we are. We do have four starters back. Our depth is the question mark. We’re figuring out who can be on the floor and who can help us. We’re not very big, but we are athletic and aggressive. Physically, we can compete with anybody. It won’t be easy. I think the South is stronger than the North this year.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough is a perennial contender and while there are some holes to fill at the start of the season, expect the Red Storm to be very strong again this winter.
Goodl uck stopping the speedy and superb Emerson Flaker, who excels whether the sport is soccer, track or basketball.
Hartley sets the tone. She was a first-team league all-star in 2022-23 after leading Class AA South in scoring (19.5 points per game) and also dominating on the glass (7.9 rebounds per contest). Hartley can do it all: play point guard, shooting guard, forward or even center. She’ll be a top scorer, rebounder and defender. Flaker, best known for her blazing speed in track and for scoring a regional final-winning overtime goal last month in soccer, is pretty talented on the hardwood as well. Flaker, a second-teamer last season, is the point guard and she can score as well as defend. She averaged 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals in 2022-23. Ellie Rumelhart and Megan Rumelhart both played key roles last season and add depth at the guard position, along with Freedman, who figures to see even more minutes this year.
Scarborough is not only chasing reigning regional champion Gorham and highly touted Thornton Academy, it also has to deal with several other contenders in the region. Making matters even more challenging, the Red Storm will be tested by several teams from outside of AA South. Regardless, this is a group that will be in contention from start to finish and will be a matchup nightmare come February.
BOYS’ HOCKEY
Junior Wyatt Grondin has scored his share of big goals in his career and hopes to lead Scarborough’s boys’ hockey team on a deep playoff run this winter.
Coach: Eric Wirsing (third year, 24-16-1 overall record, one state championship)
2022-23 record: 11-8 (Lost, 4-0, to South Portland/Freeport/Waynflete in Class A state quarterfinals)
Top returning players: Tyler Kenney (Senior), Olin Pederson (Senior), Ryan Ravis (Senior), Wyatt Grondin (Junior), Kyle Gambardella (Sophomore), C.J. Lebel (Sophomore), Daniel Polisner (Sophomore)
Pivotal games: Dec. 9 PORTLAND/SOUTH PORTLAND, Dec. 13 @ Thornton Academy, Jan. 11 EDWARD LITTLE, Jan. 20 @ Falmouth, Feb. 3 @ Bangor, Feb. 6 THORNTON ACADEMY, Feb. 8 @ Portland/South Portland, Feb. 10 @ Lewiston, Feb. 15 FALMOUTH
Coach’s comment: “We’re a young team with speed and with plenty of growth opportunities. The goal is to acclimate the younger players to the pace and tenacity of playing varsity level hockey on a daily basis. As we adjust, we hope to be in the top half of the league.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough enjoyed another solid season a year ago, but wasn’t able to match the championship magic of 2021-22. This year’s team is led by some familiar names and there are some newcomers who will help the cause.
Senior Tyler Kenney is a top scoring threat for the Red Storm.
Grondin, the hero of the title run two years ago, made the All-State team last winter. He’ll pace the offense again, with help from Kenney, Pederson and Polisner. Sophomores Nick Harmon and Michael McDonough add depth. Defensively, Gambardella, Lebel and Ravis all have experience. Freshman Kieran Fongemie is another player to watch on the blue line. Sophomore Bryce Bellerose will be in goal.
The Red Storm are among several strong teams in Class A and they’ll get a chance to measure themselves against all of them this winter. Scarborough is hoping to post a winning record and be poised to make some noise when the postseason starts. In an advance-or-go-home scenario, the Red Storm have what it takes to enjoy a deep run.
GIRLS’ HOCKEY (co-op with Falmouth)
Sophomore Hope Melevsky will play a key role this year on the Falmouth/Scarborough co-op girls’ hockey team.
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
Scarborough senior Kyleigh Record is one of the state’s premier distance runners.
Boys’ coach: Derek Veilleux (19th year, 12 state championships)
Girls’ coach: Denise Curry (second year)
2022-23 results:
(Boys) Class A state champion
(Girls) 2nd @ Class A state meet
Top returners:
(Boys) John Read (Senior), Colby Shumway (Senior), Ethan Keller (Junior), Ryan Marshall (Junior), Wyatt Martin (Junior), Nate Murray (Junior), Landen Springer (Junior)
(Girls) Maezy Gleason (Senior), Kyleigh Record (Senior), Amelia Caruso (Junior), Laurel Driscoll (Sophomore)
Coach Veilleux’s comment: “Our goal is to perform at our best in February during the championship season. We have our largest team in school history, which includes 23 freshmen. We will look to develop our younger athletes and look for others who have been in the program to make the jump to the next level. If we stay healthy, we have the talent and ability to contend with any team in the state.”
Coach Curry’s comment: “The athletes and coaches are working hard and are ready to defend their SMAA title and be a contender for states.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough nearly swept the Class A state meet a year ago and this winter, the Red Storm might just collectively finish the job.
The boys are a dynasty without peer, winning every state meet but two since 2009. This season, Scarborough is loaded again, as Murray (first in the shot put last year), Martin (second in the pole vault), Keller (fourth in the two-mile) and Read (fifth in the 55 hurdles) all return. Other veterans include Marshall (hurdles), Shumway (distance) and Springer (distance). Junior Cooper Mallar will be a contender in the springs and freshman Atticus Merriam adds depth in the distance races. The Red Storm will be pushed by Falmouth, Gorham, Portland and South Portland, and that’s just in the conference, but thanks to their depth, they’re poised for more triumph.
On the girls’ side, Driscoll (second in the mile, eighth in the 800 last season) and Record (runner-up in the 800 and fifth in the mile last winter) are top returners in the distance races. Caruso is a sprinter to watch. She’s joined by junior Carmen Davis. On the field side, Gleason returns in the shot put. Sophomore Isabel Harmon will be strong in the jumps and pole vault. Scarborough has to contend with Bonny Eagle and Portland, but has the pieces in place to win a state championship for the first time since 2018.
SWIMMING
Coach: Morgan Royle (second year, one state championship)
2022-23 results:
(Boys) Class A state champions
(Girls) 10th @ Class A state meet
Top returners:
(Boys) Owen Kasper (Senior), Ryan Vigue (Senior), Stephen Ranger (Junior)
(Girls) Emerson Johnson (Junior)
Coach’s comment: “This year’s team is diverse and dynamic. We have some great experienced swimmers and some new swimmers that are working hard to learn and they’re all in it together. We are looking forward to a strong season with lots of state qualifiers and lots of improvement from the newer swimmers, I can’t wait to see what all the athletes are going to do.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough will be a work in progress in the weeks to come and by February, promises to be very strong. Again.
The boys’ team will look to Kasper (third in the 200 individual medley and third in the 100 breaststroke a year ago) to lead the way. Vigue (third in the 500 free and fifth in the 200 free) is another top returner. Ranger (eighth in the 100 free) is another scoring threat. Freshman Nolan Green is a newcomer to watch.
On the girls’ side, Johnson (fourth in the breaststroke last winter) is the top swimmer returning. Several other girls hope to emerge in the weeks to come.
WRESTLING (co-op with Gorham)
Coach: Ben Watson (third year)
2022-23 results: 15th @ Class A state meet
Top returners: Luke Burns (Senior), DJ Hopper (Senior), Bryce Jackson-Parise (Senior), Miguel Torres (Senior), Roan Morgan (Sophomore), Jackson Tulloch (Sophomore)
Coach’s comment: “We’ve got a good culture in our wrestling room. We plan to work hard and stay focused. As long as we stay positive and keep doing what we’re doing, the results will come. We will teach these young athletes to work hard and the value of it as well as the importance of self confidence and mental toughness. Things that will carry them far beyond the mat. I think we’re a young team, with a lot of kids who have never done this before, or are only in their second season, but I think that the attitude in the room and the attentiveness is exceptional. We’ve worked hard as a staff and a community to foster a family mentality and if we stick with that, there’s no ceiling to the potential that these kids have. The success of a program is based on the adults it produces. I feel pretty confident that we’ll do a good job there and we’re going to have a lot of fun along the way.”
The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough/Gorham boasts some strong returners, who will be bolstered by several promising newcomers. That should add up to a competitive campaign.
Burns leads the way. He’s the reigning Class A state champion at 182 pounds. He’ll wrestle at 190-plus pounds this season. Hopper (175), Jackson-Parise (215),. Morgan (150), Torres (150) and Tulloch (144) are other veterans who hope to make deep runs in the postseason. Junior Carter Bliss (138) and sophomore Henry Holland (heavyweight) could step right in and make a mark.
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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