Nokomis and Cony rate among the stronger girls Class A squads

Expect to see Nokomis and Cony once again rise to the top of Eastern Maine Class A.

It’s as simple as that. Both teams return at least three starters, or fill in the graduated players with more-than-capable substitutes from last year. Each team has a standout player who is headed for a Division I college program next year.

The Warriors of Newport and the Rams of Augusta battled in the Eastern Maine Class A final last year, and most coaches expect those teams to be back again.

Nokomis’ stellar, seasoned group of four three-year starters is finally in its senior season, and a fifth started last year. Six-foot forward Danielle Clark, who will attend New Hampshire next year, has been the Warriors’ leading scorer and rebounder and is considered one of the best in the state.

Meanwhile, the outstanding guard tandem of Michelle Murray and Lindsey Welch should continue to provide perimeter scoring as well as tenacious defense. Sara Lowe, a 5-8 forward who is a go-to player inside, also starts for her third year. Guard Gillian Snow, who started last season, rounds out the bunch of senior starters.

“I’ve never had such a veteran group before,” said Warriors coach Earl Anderson. “This year’s team will be similar to last year’s with a different [group of backup players]. I really do believe that makes a difference in practice if you have people willing to challenge other players. Two years ago that was our strength and I see that again this year.”

Two years ago, by the way, the Warriors took the Class A state title.

Nokomis’ top players off the bench are also experienced, too. Junior forward Aimee Paradis will likely be the first substitute and will get as much playing time as any starter, Anderson said. Senior forwards Jessica Merrow and Anne Perry and sophomore guard Michelle Barden will complete the rotation.

Cony lost key starters Lindsay Frye and Jauna Andrews to graduation, but the Rams probably won’t lose a step considering their returning players and new faces.

Cony basketball will look the same this year as it has other years – lots of pressing defense, shooting and up-tempo play. University of Maine-bound guard-forward Ashley Underwood and guard Karen Sirois head up the group, along with 6-2 sophomore Katie Rollins, one of the top post players in the state.

The Rams welcome sophomore guard Briiana Rende, who transferred from Boothbay High. Rende will start this year. “She’s been our most consistent player in the preseason,” coach Paul Vachon said. “She made a smooth transition.”

The biggest question for Vachon’s squad will be rebounding. “I think we lost the best rebounder in the state last year [Andrews] and that was a big, big loss for us,” Vachon said. “She took a lot of pressure off Katie … We’ll have to make up for the lost rebounding.”

To that end, the Rams will start 5-10 forward Mallory Dumont, who was Cony’s top substitute last year. The key substitutes this season will be 5-10 forward Sarah Morang, who did not play last year because of a knee injury, 5-8 sophomore Amanda Mason, 5-9 sophomore Natalie Nimon and 5-9 senior Melissa Piselli.

While those two teams will likely outshine the rest of Eastern Maine, other squads will have to do some serious reorganization after losing senior starters.

Bangor, for example, welcomes back 5-8 guard Laura Clarke and 5-11 guard Marissa McLeod, both juniors, but lost three starters from a 14-5 team, including go-to player Katherine Miller, as well as several backups who played a lot of minutes off the bench.

This year the Rams will also rely on senior forwards Megan McCrum and Libby Russell and 5-11 senior center Ashley Hayden, who were key substitutes last season.

Hampden was dealt a huge blow as nine seniors, including four starters (dangerous shooter Megan Magoon among them) graduated last year. But the Broncos will be in good shape with returning starter forward Emmy Russell and athletic guard Erin Campbell back on the team.

Russell, a strong 5-8 forward considered to be one of the top players in the Big East Conference, 5-11 Ashlea Ireland and 5-10 Kristin Littlefield will provide height.

At Skowhegan, where All-Maine third-teamer Tiffany Jones and two other starters graduated, the Indians will rely on senior returning starters Carmen Ballard and Ashley Hilton, a 5-11 guard-forward who is considered one of the most athletic players in the state. Other key Skowhegan players this year include guards Amy McDaniel and Lisa Gibson, and forwards Ashley Smith and Amanda Berry.

Senior Billie Blanchard will again lead Presque Isle. Blanchard, a guard in her first three seasons, will move to a forward position. At point guard the Wildcats are eager to have Natasha Deschene healthy again. The sophomore had a promising freshman season – she was averaging 13 points per game – before breaking her wrist late last December.

Old Town’s backbone will be four-year starter Renee Thibodeau, an excellent 3-point shooter and defender. The rest of the starting lineup will likely include guard Darcy Spencer and three players who are listed at 5-8 or taller, Stephanie Kennedy, Leona Mitchell and Kristi Mitchell.

Brewer has all five of last year’s starters back. Senior guards Stacie Bean, Amy Freeman and Rachel Wing, 5-10 forward-center Ashley Adams, and forward Carolyn McAvoy will lead the Witches this year.