Players to watch: Jr. G Bri Jordan, Gray-New Gloucester; So. P Jordan Grant, Gray-New Gloucester; Sr. G Nathalie Theriault, Poland; Sr. F Jessica Seeley, Poland; Sr. G Alexandra Goodman, Freeport; Sr. F Jessica Driscoll, Freeport; Fr. G Shauna Hancock, Lake Region; Sr. G Chandler True, Lake Region; Sr. F. Lauren Jakobs, Lake Region; So. G Desirae Dumais, Oak Hill; Jr. F Abby Nadeau, Oak Hill; S. G Franny Ramsdell, Wells; Fr. G Rylee Sevigny, Mountain Valley; Jr. C Courtney Carrier, Mountain Valley; Sr. G Brooke Carver, Mountain Valley; Jr. G Haley Turcotte, Spruce Mountain; Jr. G Calley Baker, Spruce Mountain;
Favorite: Gray-New Gloucester
Despite losing four-fifths of their starting lineup and four out of the six players from last year’s state-championship-winning rotation, the Patriots again finished the season at the top of B South. Holdovers Bri Jordan and Jordan Grant are two of the best players in the region, and the supporting cast gained experience throughout the regular season and made an impact in the final two games, wins over two-seed Poland and three-seed Freeport.
Dark horses: Poland, Freeport, Lake Region, Wells.
B South is more balanced than it has been recently, and one of several teams has what it takes to win the region. Poland, Freeport and Lake Region have all played close games with each other and Gray-NG, and Wells is the team nobody wants to see in the postseason. Matchups might be the biggest factor in the region.
Overview: While Gray-NG’s roster is filled with players in their first season as full-time varsity players, the extensive postseason experience of Jordan and Grant cannot be overlooked. Both were key players on last year’s state championship team, and Jordan has helped the Patriots win two straight region titles and has played in two state title games. Poland and Freeport have talented, senior-laden squads, and Lake Region is always a threat. Even Oak Hill is a dangerous team.
Prediction: Gray-New Gloucester
Gray-New Gloucester’s Brianna Jordan, background, gets into position to block a layup attempt by Poland’s Nathalie Theriault earlier this month in Poland. (Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal)
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