Undefeated Cheverus has become the big monster everyone wants to defeat in Maine girls basketball, as star senior Kylie Lamson picked up right where she left off last spring.
Though the Stags have made a strong claim for the top spot, where teams rank after that gets a little messier.
Mt. Ararat was undefeated until it met Gray-New Gloucester and fell by just one point in overtime. Over on the coast, freshman Olivia Breen is making a huge splash for Oceanside. Emerging talent at Edward Little has helped the Red Eddies to nine wins.
With change on the horizon and an exciting month of basketball ahead, check out these top 10 teams in our first ranking of the new year for Maine girls’ hoops.
1. Cheverus (9-0)
Previous rank: 3
Next game: vs. Bonny Eagle, Jan. 8, 6 p.m.
Since outscoring defending Class AA state champion South Portland 33-18 in the second half and knocking off the Red Riots, 51-46, in its first game of the season, Cheverus has been dominating opponents on the way to a 9-0 start.
The Stags have beaten their last eight opponents by at least 17 points, and Lamson has been the star she was projected to be going into the season, averaging 23 points in her first five games. She hit the 1000-point mark on Jan. 6 in a win at Gorham.
2. Gray-New Gloucester (9-0)
Previous rank: 8
Next game: at York, Jan. 8, 6 p.m.
Gray-New Gloucester preserved its undefeated record with a 48-47 overtime win over Mt. Ararat on Jan. 6. Freshman Bryn Gilmore scored 22 points, including the game-winning bucket. It was only the Patriots’ third win decided by less than 30 points.
Junior guard Abbey Steele has been the most consistent weapon offensively, but senior forward Ella Kenney has also put up some well-rounded performances. The Patriots have used their depth well in their perfect start.
3. Mt. Ararat (7-1)
Previous rank: 2
Next game: vs. Mt. Blue, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
The defending Class A state champs are off to a 7-1 start this season, boasting a productive offense that averaged nearly 65 points through its first seven games. The Eagles’ eighth game was when they finally faltered, however, as Gray-New Gloucester snuck away with a 48-47 win.
Senior Julianna Allen has been solid, but teammates Jaelyn and Jenna Jensen have stepped up and helped Mt. Ararat thrive. With matchups against Edward Little, Camden Hills and Bangor coming up, the Eagles may need big performances from Allen and the rest of the playmakers to remain at the top of Class A North.
4. Edward Little (9-1)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: at Oxford Hills, Jan. 10, 11:30 a.m.
Edward Little’s sole loss came to a surging Mt. Ararat squad in mid-December — it was a convincing one, however, decided by 20 points. But the Red Eddies’ 16-point, season-opening win over Camden HIlls is a promising sign and enough to land them in the top five of this week’s rankings.
Charlotte Ranger has frequently led Edward Little in scoring with strong 3-point shooting. Sophomore forward Elizabeth Galway has made a leap, too. After averaging 7.5 points last season, Galway has routinely put up double-digits as the Red Eddies ride a five-game winning streak.
5. Oceanside (8-1)
Previous rank: 9
Next game: vs. Lincoln Academy, Jan. 10, 5 p.m.
Oceanside’s only loss came in overtime to Lawrence earlier this season, but it avenged that loss in late December by beating the Bulldogs 68-61. Olivia Breen, younger sister of former Oceanside star Bailey Breen, has been a huge factor for the Mariners — and, get this: she’s in ninth grade.
Breen’s 17-point, 15-rebound double-double was enough to overcome a 41-point performance from Lawrence’s Maddie Provost in Oceanside’s revenge win on Dec. 27. It’s not just Breen, though. Four Oceanside players scored in double figures during that game, including 20 points each from Renee Ripley and Abbey Stackpole.
6. South Portland (6-1)
Previous rank: 1
Next game: vs. Portland, Jan. 8, 7 p.m.
The expectations for a team like South Portland are consistently high, which can make every loss seem a little more grave than it really is. The Red Riots lost to Cheverus by five in their first game of the season, but have since won six straight games, including a five-point victory over an impressive Biddeford squad.
Anna Whitmore and her 3-point shooting has led the charge, but the Red Riots routinely have two or three players putting up double-digits. Destiny Peter has been a rebounding machine, and Caleigh Corcoran has become a valuable scoring option for the defending champs.
7. Biddeford (7-2)
Previous rank: 4
Next game: at Deering, Jan. 8, 5:30 p.m.
Biddeford’s two losses must be taken in context. They came by a combined eight points, with one coming to powerhouse South Portland. Plus, the Tigers have won four straight.
Junior guard and Colgate commit Jordyn Crump has had ups and downs, but Natalia and Gabby Silva have stepped up with strong performances on both ends of the floor. If Crump can heat up, there’s no telling what this Biddeford team is capable of.
8. Lawrence (6-2)
Previous rank: 6
Next game: at Morse, Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Lawrence is 1-1 against Oceanside this season, with its only other loss coming to now-7-2 Hampden Academy.
Holy Cross commit Maddie Provost has been her usual self, shooting threes at a high clip and scoring a season-high 41 points in the losing effort to Oceanside on Dec. 27. Her 11-point game against Hampden — a slow one, by her standards — was partially why the Bulldogs fell to 6-2. In the three games prior, she put up 41, 32, and 37-point performances.
9. Camden Hills (6-2)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Oxford Hills, Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m.
It’s been a slightly rocky season so far for Camden Hills, which lost to Edward Little in its season-opener, then won six straight before losing to Oceanside by 34 points. It also beat Hampden Academy by 15 on Dec. 9 and Bangor by 20 on Dec. 13.
Guard Thea Laukka has emerged as a top scoring option for the Windjammers, who must steady their play — especially since January promises challenging matchups against Hampden and Mt. Ararat.
10. Bangor (8-1)
Previous rank: NR
Next game: vs. Old Town, Jan. 9, 5:30 p.m.
It’s hard to look completely past Bangor’s 20-point loss to Camden Hills, but an otherwise undefeated record is enough to land it in the top 10. Husson commit Avery Clark has been on a scoring rampage to start her senior season. She scored 29 points, including four 3-pointers, in a blowout win over Messalonskee in early December. Fellow Husson commit Dalaney Horr provides another spark for the Rams’ offense.
January games against Mt. Ararat and Edward Little will test where Bangor belongs on this list.
