Scarborough Red Storm Winter Sports Preview

Sophomore Courtney Brochu had a strong debut season. She and her Scarborough girls’ hockey teammates are hoping to return to the state final and win the championship this winter.

File photos.

More photos below.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Phil Conley (first year)

2015-16 record: 6-13 (Lost, 67-52, to Massabesic in Class AA South quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Nick Discatio (Senior), Emmett Peoples (Senior), Reece Lagerquist (Junior), Morgan Pratt (Junior), Jaquan Seme (Junior), Nick Fiorillo (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 10 @ Cheverus, Dec. 13 @ TA, Dec. 22 @ South P0rtland, Dec. 30 WESTBROOK, Jan. 3 @ Windham, Jan. 6 TA, Jan. 10 @ Portland, Jan. 12 SOUTH PORTLAND, Feb. 7 @ Deering

Coach’s comment: “The kids are working hard. What I’m most impressed with is that it’s a great group of young men. The seniors have been great leaders. Our offense and defense are new this year. I think we’ll get better as the season goes on. It’s a very athletic group. The guys have had success in other sports. Our number goal is to get into the playoffs and go from there.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: A new era of Scarborough boys’ basketball begins this winter and what a promising era it is. Conley takes over the program after a terrific eight-year stint at South Portland, where he won 108 games and a regional championship. He inherits a squad that has been able to contend and make the playoffs, but the Red Storm are eager to take the next step and be a serious threat as they are in so many other sports.

Several players return who saw big minutes a year ago and that experience should pay off. Fiorillo made the SMAA All-Rookie team as a freshman. He’s shown an ability to score and will be effective as either a guard or a forward. The backcourt is led by Peoples, a captain, who was 19th in the league in scoring average (13.0 per game) last year. Pratt and Seme, who will be the point guard, also have experience. Replacing the rebounding and shot blocking ability of the graduated Jake Gardner in the post will be a challenge. Look for Discatio, another captain, and Lagerquist, a three-sport standout, to step into the breach. Scarborough was ranked 12th out of 15 teams in both offense and defense a year ago. Expect Conley to quickly rectify that and for the Red Storm to move up the ranks.

Success won’t come overnight and this will be a work in progress, but as the season goes along, look for the wins to come. Defending regional champion South Portland and Thornton Academy are viewed as the favorites in Class AA South, but there’s reason to believe Scarborough could join the party late in the year. By February, no one will want to see the Red Storm with their season hanging in the balance.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Coach: Mike Giordano (fourth year, 24-34 overall record)

2015-16 record: 7-12 (Lost, 49-41, to South Portland in Class AA South quarterfinals)

Top returning players: Brooke Malone (Senior), Sophie Glidden (Junior), Lindsey Kelley (Junior), Jillian Ware (Junior), Josie Couture (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 15 @ Sanford, Dec. 22 @ Maine Girls’ Academy, Dec. 30 GORHAM, Jan. 3 SOUTH PORTLAND, Jan. 6 TA, Jan. 24 @ Bonny Eagle, Jan. 31 MGA, Feb. 2 @ TA, Feb. 4 CHEVERUS, Feb. 7 DEERING, Feb. 9 BONNY EAGLE

Coach’s comment: “I like my group. I think we’ll have a good season. Everyone is chasing Gorham. We have the toughest region in the state, but there’s no one we can’t contend with. We’ll have tough games every night. Whoever makes the tournament will be battle tested. As our point guards mature and the kids improve, I like to think we’ll play our best at the end.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough gave eventual regional finalist South Portland a scare in last year’s quarterfinals and this winter, the Red Storm could enjoy an even longer tournament stay if they develop as hoped, the defense remains strong and the offense is able to produce more points than they did a year ago.

Glidden and Malone are top returners and captains. Malone averaged 9.8 points and 7.0 rebounds (eighth in the league) a year ago. She’ll be more of an outside presence this winter, but look for her to continue to produce second-chance points. Glidden can also score and rebound (9.9 and 6.0 last winter) and will hit shots from the outside and slash to the basket. Couture had a strong freshman campaign and will see even more time as a sophomore. She’s versatile enough where she can play any position on the floor. Kelley and Ware also return and will be strongest on the defensive end. A pair of freshmen will be looked upon to play key minutes. Madison Blanche and Bella Dickinson will both see time at the point.

This should be the best team Giordano has had at Scarborough. While Class AA South is loaded from Gorham on down, meaning there won’t be many easy games, the Red Storm are well equipped to go toe-to-toe with everyone on their schedule. Look for this group to steadily improve and for Scarborough to win more than it loses, earn a promising playoff seed and perhaps stick around awhile once the tournament commences.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Norm Gagne (eighth year, 91-42-11 overall record, one state championship)

2015-16 record: 16-3-3 (Lost, 2-1, to Lewiston in Class A state final)

Top returning players: Egan Bradish (Senior), Kyle Jacques (Senior), Thomas Marshall (Senior), Eric Murray (Senior), Justin Perry (Senior), Skylar Pettingill (Senior), Cam Smith (Senior), Eric Quirk (Junior), Brandon Wasser (Junior), Anthony Burnham (Sophomore), Mason Parks (Sophomore), Brett Rockey (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 13 @ Falmouth, Dec. 17 GREELY, Dec. 21 @ Lewiston, Dec. 23 BIDDEFORD, Dec. 27 CHEVERUS, Jan. 2 TA, Jan. 21 ST. DOM’S, Jan. 25 LEWISTON, Jan. 28 @ TA, Feb. 1 FALMOUTH, Feb. 4 @ Biddeford, Feb. 11 @ Cheverus

Coach’s comment: “So far, things are looking good. The seniors are setting a good example. We lost six players from last year, but we have good talent back. The younger kids will have to lay big roles. Hopefully, they’ll step up. We don’t have a lot of depth, so we hope to stay healthy. It’ll be interesting. The competition will be strong. We want to make our push at the end of the season. We want to get back to the state final.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough enjoyed another terrific season in 2015-16, giving Gagne his 700th career coaching victory and reaching the state final before it suffered a painful last-minute loss to Lewiston. The Red Storm were hard hit by graduation, most notably the departure of reigning Travis Roy Award winner and Winter Male Athlete of the Year Matt Caron, but a strong core returns and is bolstered by some key additions. Scarborough is practicing and playing its home games in Lewiston this winter and of course, the Red Storm would love nothing more than to wind up at the Colisee for the state game once again.

Murray, a captain and first-team all-star in 2015-16, returns to anchor the defense. He’s joined by Burnham, Parks and Quirk in front of Wasser, last year’s backup, who will take over in goal, with help from sophomore Christian Vail. Scarborough has a ton of offensive depth and figures to score with regularity. Smith was a second-team all-star last winter, Pettingill has a reputation for scoring big goals, Jacques is another captain and Bradish, Marshall, Perry and Rockey have all seen key minutes on offense. Mix in new sophomores Patrick Clonin and Wyatt Plummer and it’s clear the opposition will have fits trying to slow down this attack.

Scarborough will be in a battle in its region, as Biddeford, Cheverus, Falmouth and Thornton Academy will all look to be the team to replace it in the state final. The Red Storm won’t be easily dethroned, however. This squad will be vastly improved between December and late February, which suggests that another deep playoff run and perhaps a second championship in three seasons could be the end result.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

Coach: Caitlin D’Amour (eighth year, 109-25-6 overall record, one state championship)

2015-16 results: 18-2-1 (Lost, 2-1, to St. Dom’s in state final)

Top returning players: McKenzie Cormier (Senior), Lily Nygren (Senior), Lucca Sterrer (Senior), Lucy Bogdanovich (Junior), Logan Bruns (Junior), Lauren Topchik (Junior), Courtney Brochu (Sophomore)

Pivotal games: Dec. 17 GREELY, Jan. 21 ST. DOM’S, Jan. 25 @ Falmouth, Feb. 1 FALMOUTH

Coach’s comment: “As always, making it to states is our ultimate goal and this season is no different, we’re just going about it a different way. We’re really focusing on conditioning and outskating teams in the third period. We’re also focusing on our defensive zone and becoming disciplined in order to create offensive opportunities and reduce odd-man rushes. We’ll continue to play aggressive hockey. We’ve worked with the forwards on crashing the net and being hungry in front. The goalies will continue to focus on having strong foundation skills, taking care of the little things and being a strong backbone for the team.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough got to the state final a year ago, but fell a goal short. This winter, the Red Storm could again be the best team in the South Region, but it will take some work, especially after the loss of standout Sami Shoebottom, who transferred out of state. Scarborough has started strong, beating Biddeford/TA (4-0, behind two goals from Topchik), Portland/Deering (6-2) and Yarmouth/Freeport (9-2, behind hat tricks from Bogdanovich and sophomore Taylor Veilleux) and tying Edward Little/Leavitt (2-2, on Topchik’s late tally).

The Red Storm still have plenty of offensive firepower, led by Bogdanovich, Bruns and Topchik. Freshman Carrie Timpson will soon become a household name. Brochu and Fall Female Athlete of the Year Nygren (the captain) will anchor the defense in front of Cormier, who returns in goal. Sterrer will also see time between the pipes. This is a very balanced team that will be solid up and down the ice.

Scarborough will have its hands full in the South with rival Falmouth and if it’s fortunate enough to advance to the state game again, there’s a good chance a rematch could be in store, as St. Dom’s is viewed as this year’s favorite. The Red Storm should produce another glowing record and will be a team to be reckoned with in mid-February. If all goes well, Scarborough could earn one more victory and celebrate a championship.

INDOOR TRACK

Boys’ coach: Derek Veilleux (13th year, six state championships)

Girls’ coach: Ron Kelly (21st year, nine state championships)

2015-16 results:

(Boys) Class A state champions

(Girls) 6th @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Ben Batoosingh (Senior), Matthew Blaisdell (Senior), Tim Carion (Senior), Alex Dionne (Senior), Connor Langlois (Senior), Shamus Malia (Senior), Sebastian Osborne (Senior), Sam Rusak (Senior), Drew Gardner (Junior), Noah Drapeau (Sophomore), Nolan Lamontagne (Sophomore), Harrison Osborne (Sophomore)

(Girls) Marisa Carbone (Senior), Edie Christian (Senior), Sydney Rusak (Senior), Erin Ryan (Senior), Ellen Shaw (Senior), Brady Stolz (Senior), Kirsten Dennen (Junior), Caitlin McCaffery (Junior), Gaby Panagakos (Junior), Samantha Saraceno (Junior), Bethany Sholl (Junior), Maggie Franz (Sophomore)

Coach Veilleux’s comment: “We have the largest roster we’ve ever had and it has experience and plenty of youth. This is the most talented freshman class we’ve had here in a long time and I think they’ll make an immediate impact. Our goal will be to improve throughout the season, so we’re competing at a high level come the championship meets in February. We have a large senior class that’s had plenty of success and wants to continue that tradition. Some might expect us to be down a bit after graduating the talent we did, but we’re confident we have the talent in place to compete with the best.”

Coach Kelly’s comment: “This is the best team I’ve had in a few years. It’s the best freshman class in awhile and they’ll play an important role on the team. Our strengths will be the distance, hurdles, sprints, pole vault, relays and high jump. We should be battling for top honors.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough’s indoor track juggernaut roles on and if all goes well, the Red Storm could sweep state titles for the first time since 2012.

The boys are defending champs and while graduation took its toll, look out, there’s an abundance of talent in reserve. Rusak is the top returner. He won both the pole vault and high jump a year ago at states. He’ll also hurdle and run the 400 (he placed sixth in that event in 2015-16). Dionne was fourth in the pole vault a year ago and hopes to move up. They’ll be bolstered by thrower Sebastian Osborne, vaulter Gardner and jumpers Blaisdell and Carion. Scarborough has a lot of depth and talent on the track side as well. Sprinters to watch include Batoosingh, Blaisdell, Carion, Drapeau, Lamontagne, new seniors Marc Guerette and Cam Thibault, junior Marco Manfra and freshmen Jarret Flaker and Ben Hatch. Langlois competes in the hurdles, as will Flaker. In the distance, look for Malia and Harrison Osborne to make noise, along with junior Erik Larkin, sophomore Brian Farino and freshmen Connor Coffin and Tristam Coffin. The greatness figures to continue. The Red Storm have finished in the top three nine years running with six titles in that span. Another top finish would surprise no one.

On the girls’ side, Scarborough hopes to get back to its elite form of 2005-12, when it won Class A every year. Sholl is the top returner. She was runner-up in the two-mile a year ago and hopes to win it this winter. Carbone (seventh in the 800 last winter), Franz, Saraceno and freshman Ryanne Cox will also be heard from in the distance events. Panagakos placed fourth in the 400 last season and will be a force in the 200 as well. Other sprinters to watch include McCaffery and freshmen Sarah Callahan and Emily Labbe. Rusak and Shaw (sixth in the 55 hurdles last season) are top returning hurdlers. They joined by freshmen Labbe, Anna Gardner and Madison Marinko. On the field side, Christian scored in the pole vault last year (placing seventh) and she’ll hope to move up. Dennen and Gardner also compete in that event. Jumpers of note include Marinko, Rusak, Shaw and freshman Nina Greeley. The throwing contingent is led by Ryan and Stolz. This is a formidable group with plenty of athleticism and depth. Scarborough will be tough to contend with in league meets and could be the best of the bunch come February.

SWIMMING

Coach: Eric French (seventh year)

2015-16 results:

(Boys) 4th @ Class A state meet

(Girls) 2nd @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Joey Christian (Senior), T.J. Hinkle (Senior), Anton Jasa (Senior), Sam Greenberg (Junior), Sam Curtis (Sophomore), Ryan O’Leary (Sophomore)

(Girls) Jane Greenberg (Sophomore)

Coach’s comment: “We have about 50 kids and they have a strong work ethic. We’re still growing with young talent. We’re focusing on ourselves and being a family. The girls hope for a top 10 finish. If we stay on the right track, the guys have a shot at a top five finish.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough is coming off a solid swim season and both teams expect to be competitive again this winter.

The boys’ team is loaded and will be among the best in the region and the state. Top returners include O’Leary (sixth in the 200 freestyle as a freshman) and Hinkle (seventh in the 500 free and eighth in the individual medley at last year’s state meet). Both swimmers will make a run at the top spot this time around. Curtis and Greenberg were both part of a scoring medley relay team last winter. Curtis will swim the IM and breaststroke, while Greenberg competes in the sprint freestyle. Christian (distance races) and Jasa (butterfly) also return. This group is ready to turn heads and hold its own against top competition.

On the girls’ side, Greenberg is the top returner. She was fourth in the 100 free, fifth in the 50 free and part of runner-up 200 and 400 free relay teams a year ago. She’s due for a big year. If some other swimmers can step up, the Red Storm will remain a power.

ALPINE SKIING

Coach: Scott Berube (second year)

2015-16 results:

(Boys) No score @ Class A state meet

(Girls) No score @ Class A state meet

Top returners:

(Boys) Matt Higgins (Senior), Nathan Orff (Senior), Justyn Sears (Junior)

(Girls) Isabel Cayer (Junior), Olivia Stanton (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “We’re still in development mode. We have a dynamic team with a few experienced leaders and many new members. The girls look to repeat as SMAA champions and push for a good showing at states. The boys have a balanced team and will look to avenge their SMAA reign that slipped away last season. The goal for both teams is to win the SMAA championships and carry that momentum into states. Regardless of the results, the team is made up of a great bunch of kind and hardworking student-athletes, sure to enjoy the season ahead.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough is looking forward to a strong season on the slopes.

The boys’ squad graduated standout Andrew Mills, but Higgins (49th in the giant slalom at last year’s state meet) is back. He’s joined by veterans Orff and Sears. Freshman Teddy Forsley will step right in and make an impact as well. This group will be competitive all year and should be able to turn heads at the championship meets.

On the girls’ side, Cayer placed 19th in the slalom and 27th in the GS a year ago. She leads the way with help from Stanton and freshman Emily Johnson. The Red Storm have done very well in league competition and hope to translate that to success at the state level.

WRESTLING

Coach: Deron Sharp (second year)

2015-16 results: 16th @ Class A state meet

Top returners: Aren Dickman (Senior), Lincoln Andrews (Junior), Jeremy Sendrowski (Junior)

Coach’s comment: “We’ve had a great preseason. The kids are looking tough and are working hard to get better. I’m very proud of the student-athletes. We’re sticking with the same themes as last year, building a culture. The kids are buying in. If we can take care of little things every day, the wins and losses will take care of themselves. Our next matchup is the most important one.”

The Forecaster’s forecast: Scarborough has some promising talent this winter.

Sendrowski will make a run at winning a title. Dickman should have no trouble qualifying for states at 220 pounds. Andrews will compete as a heavyweight. Newcomers to watch include sophomore Dan Volan and freshman Jason Andrews.

The Red Storm have modest team goals, but their individuals will make some noise as the season progresses.

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

Nick Fiorillo had a strong freshman season. He and his Scarborough boys’ basketball teammates welcome a new coach this winter and hope to be a contender in Class AA South.