Boys basketball
Coach: Mike Franceour
Last year: The boys finished the regular season with a 10-8 record.
Players to watch: Seniors – Phil Leighton, Jake Moore; Juniors – Kurt Peterson, Dustin Peterson, Tyler Merrifield; Sophomores – Travis Linehan, Matt Langadas, Sam Maker, Zach Tomkinson, Justin Peterson; Freshmen – Quinn Allen, Danny Place, Adam Shane.
Outlook: The Lakers graduated some of its scoring punch from a year ago and they’ll need to make up for those lost points. For the most part, the squad is young and inexperienced in varsity play and they may struggle in the early going.
But despite their youth, the team has some skilled athletes and that should be enough to keep them competitive all-season long. They hope to improve with each game and start peaking come tourney time.
Girls basketball
Coach: Paul True
Last year: The Lakers went 16-2 in the regular season. They were the top seed for the West B tournament and they marched through the regional playoffs to earn their second straight trip to the state championship game.
Players to watch: Seniors – Krysti Leach, Erica Webb, Renee Nicholas; Sophomores – Abby Hancock, Christina Ricci, Devin Fitzgerald, Meghan Craffey, Chelsea Meyers, Morgan McClean, Megan Wandishin, Corey Lynn Morton, AJ Bartlett.
Outlook: The Lakers have a nice blend of senior leadership and quality play from underclassmen. They have players who can create offensively and score points and they’ll be tough at the defensive end of the floor where their quickness will cause turnovers.
Look for the Lakers to again be among the top teams in the Western Maine Conference. Another deep tournament run is not out of the question, and given how well the Lakers have played in the last few years, not unlikely either.
Ice hockey
Coach: David Lepage
Last year: The Lakers were 8-11 during their Western Maine Class B regular season and they just missed the tourney, finishing the year as the No. 7 seed in a 9-team division.
Players to watch: Seniors Nick Marshall (F) and Tavish LeLand (F) played on last year’s squad.
Outlook: The Lakers team up with several Fryeburg Academy players for a mixed team this winter. The additional players give the team more depth and shorter shifts on the ice. That should help with stamina late in games and it should keep the quality of play on an even keel for all three periods.
The Lakers need to play sound defense and they need to take advantage of their offensive opportunities. They played hard and they competed in each game they were involved in last season and this year should be no different.
Wrestling
Coach: Guy Stickney Jr.
Last year: The Lakers finished seventh at the West B regional meet and 16th at the Class B state championship.
Wrestlers to watch: Returning to the squad are Sean Murphy (189) Steve Wiley (160-171), Josh Bonneson (160), Kyle Hunt (145-152), Tom Gregg (140), and Chris Douglas (135). Newcomers include Matt Austin (171), Steve Achorn (145-152), Stevie Girardin (189), Keegan Perry (160-171), Lindsay Pafumi (125), Chris Mooers (145), Robert Mooers (135), Bryan Dennision (275), and Colton Abrams (275).
Outlook: The team graduated a pair of strong wrestlers from a year ago, so this year’s squad will need to fill those shoes as best they can. The Lakers will be a bit short on experienced competitors, but they’ll battle and improve with each and every meet this season.
“This group (the returning wrestlers) will provide a solid core. I look to them for leadership,” said Stickney. “They are hard working and will improve as the season goes on.”
Indoor track
Coach: Chip Morton
Last year: Girls finished eighth and boys were tied for 12th at Western Maine Conference meet.
Athletes who contributed last year: Sauntee Braddock, Samantha Cunningham, Lauren D’Ascanio, Taylor Kemp, Amanda Place, Rachel Ferland, Hannah Fillmore-Patrick, Kari Cowperthwaite, Brandon Hall, Michael Smith, Zach Mains, Maurice MacDougall, Kyle Nowinski, Stephen Bennett
Outlook: Both the girls and boys teams have some veteran performers returning. That experience and the skills they bring to each meet will score valuable points for the Lakers when they open their Western Maine Conference season in early January.
Alpine skiing
Coach: Jamie Breton and Peter Gately
Skiers on last year’s team: Jack Tragert, Clark Sulloway, Jacqui Black, Emily Doviak, Wesley Sulloway, Robert Davis-White, Anthony Triglione, Darren Rania, Hannah Flagg, Andrew Carlson, Jacob Fleck, Emily Bartlett, Morgan Brown.
Outlook: The Lakers always have an enthusiastic and talented group of skiers. They enjoy competing and they enjoy the camaraderie of the team. Several skiers will be among the contenders during regular season meets.
Nordic skiing
Coach: Bob Critchfield
Skiers on last year’s team: Taylor Ward, Sarah Adams, Sydney Walker, Emily Cassidy, Betsy Balchunas, Sky Critchfield, Corey Beaudoin, Nathan Doughty, Ben Ferland, Brandon Palmer, Spencer Ward, Shepard Hayes.
Outlook: The Lakers have some dedicated kids in a very demanding sport. It’s a competitive group that will be doing their best as they speed along in the 5km freestyle and classical races.
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