TOPSHAM

The Mt. Ararat High School girls basketball team, having lost just two seniors, is going to try and make a run at its Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference foes.

The Eagles, under head coach Kelly LaFountain, went 12-6 in the KVAC and lost to Cony 46-39 in the Eastern Maine Class A semifinals.

“Only losing two seniors makes for a pretty easy transition,” said LaFountain. “With nine returning players, putting our offensive and defensive sets in happens at a much quicker pace. Our focus is to fine-tune the things that worked well for us last year and add a few wrinkles to what we do. We played at the McAuley Thanksgiving Tournament and did some nice things.

“A lot of coaches don’t like playing so early, but I like seeing what combinations may work and seeing things we really need to improve on before our season opener.”

Experience will be a major key for Mt. Ararat, scheduled to open its season Dec. 7 at home versus Edward Little.

“Our strengths will definitely be defense and experience. Our team is extremely capable of playing very good team defense. We have players with length and athleticism, making it tough for teams to find openings on the offensive end,” said LaFountain. “This will be the third season of varsity basketball for five of our players and we return four starters from last year. We expect this to give us an edge at the beginning of the season, but we will need to work hard to build on our experience as other teams get used to playing together.”

LaFountain feels Eastern A is there for the picking.

“I believe Eastern A to be a wide open field this year,” she said. “Many of the teams will play tough defensively and the team that consistently finds their offense will have the edge. I don’t see a team in the mix winning every game by 20-plus points. Much like last year every game will be a battle.

“Our team had very balanced scoring last year and I see much of the same this year. It’s nice to have balance so opponents can’t key on one or two players to shut us down. Our chances are as good as anyone’s to compete for an Eastern A title.”

Returning seniors include Mallory Nelson (first in scoring, second in rebounding, second in steals), Micaela Mitchell, Kristi Willey (first in assists) and Chelsea Crawford (second in assists). Among juniors look for Caitlin LaFountain (G/F, first in steals, third in scoring and rebounding) and Brigitte Milliken (F).

Returning sophomores are Lindsey Cornelison (F), Katie Labbay (G) and Olivia Swan (G/F).

Newcomers are junior Libby Davis (F), sophomore Allison Melcher (F) and freshman Sara Lamb (G).

“Our goal is to be more successful than last year,” said the coach. “We want to finish in the top-three and go deeper in the playoffs. The girls have high expectations and as long as they continue to work hard, play together and stay focused on their roles good things will happen. It will be a very challenging and fun season in the KVAC and we are looking forward to it.”

Key dates to look for include Dec. 21 (At Brunswick), Dec. 27 (H, Cony) and Feb. 7 (H, Brunswick).

Boys basketball

Head coach Aaron Watson is back looking to improve on last year’s 2-16 record and no postseason berth.

Players to watch this year include sophomore Mason Griffin and freshman Shyheim Ulrickson.

Returning players are Jason Tome, Zach Greene, Tyler Roberts, Alex Lapierre, Mason Griffin, and a key loss is Josh Wright (graduation).

The Eagles are scheduled to open their season Dec. 7 at Edward Little, and key dates include Dec. 1 (H, Oxford Hills), Dec. 21 (H, Brunswick) and Feb. 7 (at Brunswick).

“Our team will be competitive in our games,” said Watson. “We have good young talent, but lack experience. We are athletic, and would like to change defenses effectively to keep teams off-balance. Offensively, we need to make the most out of our possessions — take advantage of our strengths, and put our kids in the best possible positions for success.

“We will work extremely hard (like we always do), and get the most out of all of our players’ strengths, work on our team play, work extremely hard, all-out hustle all the time and get the most out of the players.”

Wrestling

Back again is head coach Erick Jensen and 2011/12 highlights included Max Mondonedo (285) fourth in KVACs. Jared Jensen of Brunswick, who practices and competes with the Eagles, won the KVACs at 152 pounds, captured the State Class A 152 title, and took sixth in New Englands.

Personnel returning include seniors Danny Ewing (145/152), Felipe Gunter (145/152), Jacob Kenney (113/120), Chad Pine (220/285) and Brunswick’s Jensen at 160. The junior class has Levi Yeaton (138) and Brandon Jusseaume (170/182), while sophomores to look for include George Berry (120/126), Colin Blake (138), Nate Brewer (170), Adam Ewing (132/138), Emory Hudson (126) and Pierce Knorr (220).

Among the newcomers, look for freshmen Damian Grubb (106), John Hetherman (152/160) and Scott Smith (106), along with seniors Kendal Hester (145) and Marc Pendexter (285), junior Aaron Kluckow (138/145), and sophomores Josh Murphy (132), Liam Stride (145/152), Austin Thomas (138/152) and Zach Clark (160/170).

“We remain a young and inexperienced team,” said Erick Jensen. “Of the 23 kids we have on the team, 17 of them are either underclassman or first-year wrestlers. The kids have a great attitude and are working hard.

“My goal is to finish in the top-three at the KVACs and topfive at states. We have strong seniors and juniors that have many years of varsity experience that should be significant point producers.

“We have a good mix of experience and talent, which should put us in a position to compete well by the end of the year.

“My expectation for Mt. Ararat is to improve throughout the year. We have good numbers, so we should do well with our dual meets.

“Jared is doing well. It was a long football season (at Brunswick) and I was worried about his health every week, but he came through it well. He will wrestle at 160 this year. His career record is 132-13 and he was 52-3 last year.”

The Eagles open Saturday at the Morse-hosted Westlake Tournament at Bath Middle School, and key dates include Dec. 19 (H, Mt. Blue, Medomak Valley), Jan. 26 (KVACs at Cony, Feb. 2 (Eastern Class A Regionals at Skowhegan) and Feb. 9 (State Class A meet at Augusta Civic Center).

Swimming

Tracy Doviak returns to coach the girls, while newcomers Dana Dudley and Jackie Cobb will help guide the boys.

Last season in the State Class A meet, Celia Ouellette won the 50 free in 24.33 and the 100 free in 53.84, while the 400 free relay of Abby Parker, Hannah Kincaid, Libby Ouellette and Celia Ouellette tied for fourth at 3:57.84.

“At this point we are still putting together our roster,” said Doviak.

“This year it looks like we have a large number of new swimmers, our numbers look to be about 40-45 swimmers total, which is a big group for Mt. Ararat swimming.

“A few returning seniors will be ones to watch at KVACs and state championships, especially Celia Ouellette, a 50 and 100 free powerhouse. Kincaid and Kasey Gerencer are returning seniors and will be ones to watch as well.

“New to the team last year are this year’s senior boys Sam Ashouwak and Trent Charnock, both working hard and are ready for a great season. A returning Ben Wade will undoubtedly qualify for several events at the state championships.

“The strength of our team is in our new membership. We have many new underclassmen joining our team this year as well as a few seniors new to the sport. As a coach I am looking forward to introducing the sport to our new members and hopefully fostering a love of competition, a determination to meet individual goals and joy of being part of a high school team sport.

“With two new coaches on board, we are excited to create a team focusing on sportsmanship, hard work and a love of a lifelong skill. Our vast group of new swimmers is going to make this a great year of opportunities..

The season opener is Dec. 7 (At Lewiston), and key dates are Dec. 18 (H, Edward Little), Jan. 15 (H, Brunswick), Feb. 9 (KVAC Championships) and Feb. 18-19 (State Class A Championships at Bowdoin College).

Ice hockey

Combined with Lisbon again this season, head coach Mike Bishop looks to improve on last year’s 5-12-1 mark.

So far, Bishop’s team has gone undefeated (3-0) in the preseason, and he expects big things from his senior front line of Eric Stuckey, Evan Tome and Allan Leech.

Skating from the Lisbon area are senior blue-liners Shane Cyr and Logan McGuire, junior Brett Gravel (F) and freshman Austin Fournier (F).

“But, our defense is really going to be our strength,” said Bishop, who has 17 skaters and two goaltenders in his second year at the helm. “Our first forward line is really good and we’ll depend on them a lot. After that, we’re pretty young.

“Our goaltender (senior Zach O’Connor) is pretty solid and he, like many goaltenders, can be pretty spectacular. Our other goaltender (sophomore Charlie Gill) is pretty new.”

Leech is the other senior, while juniors are forward Sean Bolduc and defenders Bru Abreu, Jeremy Williams and Jason Kenney.

In the sophomore class, look for forwards Ben Bishop, Kyle Lussier and Nate Harley, along with defender Tyler O’Connor. Andrew Gardiner and Shane Pennell are freshman forwards.

“So far, things have been tremendously easier for me,” said Bishop. “Hopefully, we can be aggressive with the puck. If they’re going to score on us we have to make them earn it up and down the ice. I want them to play hockey, not just out there bashing bodies.”

The Eagles open on Dec. 11 at Sidney J. Watson Arena against Lake Region/Fryeburg Academy, with key dates Jan. 5 (H, Brunswick), Jan. 16 (at Brunswick), Dec. 29 at Cony (Ice Vault), Feb. 2 (H, Cony).

Indoor track

Veteran head coach Diane Fournier returns, and a 2011/12 highlight was the Mt. Ararat girls taking second in KVACs. Winners included Kelly Lynch in the mile (5:26.89), Nicole Ross in the 400 (1:00.94) and long jump (15-09.75), and Kathleen Bodmer in the high jump (4-06).

The boys were second in KVACs.TheMt.Ararat4x800 relay team of Seth Bryant, Will Hirnak, Andy Reifman-Packett and Nick Oram took first in 8:25.97, while MacKenzie Gary won the 200 (23.15) and long jump (21-09). Gary was also nipped in the 55 finals 6.75-6.76 by Luke Dang of Cony.

The Mt. Ararat boys were fifth in State Class A behind the winning4x800relayof Bryant, Hirnak, Oram and Ryan Smith in 8:15.40. Gary won the long jump in 22-00.50.

“We have more boys out than girls, nearly double,” said Fournier. “Right now there are 67 athletes on the roster. The boys will be pretty evenly spread out, while the girls will have some winners, but not a lot of backup. Not sure if the girls can compete in regular meets, we will have a better idea after Christmas.

“The boys are in a better position due to numbers. We have a lot of new kids and again will have a better idea after Christmas. The boys could do well in KVACs.

“Goals for both teams is for us coaches to maximize the abilities of those out for track and to get kids to try different events and to have fun. A number of the kids are doing indoor to learn mechanics of running and stay in condition for spring sports.”

The season opener is Dec. 15 (Bowdoin Relays) and key dates include Feb. 9 (KVAC Championships) and Feb. 18 (State Class A Championships at Southern Maine).

On the girls side look for seniors Lizzie Swanhom (distance, relays), Maddison Prescott (sprints, jumps), Lizzie O’Neal (sprints, hurdles, relays) and Kelsey Kramer (sprints, relays), juniors Amy Segars (sprints, relays), Ross (sprints, jumps), Shyanne Poplaski (relays, high jump), Kelly Lynch (sprints, relays), Katie Frizzle (shot put), Emmie Cox (distance, relays), Emma Chase (sprints, distances) and Kathleen Bodmer (high jump, shot put), sophomores Alyssa Scannevin (sprints, relays), Kara O’Neal (manager), London Luscombe (throws), Lauren Grant (jumps, sprints, relays) and Hannah Cooper (sprints, relays), freshmen Daphenie Thenor (sprints, relays), Taylor Pape (distance, relays), Evangeline Jerome (sprints, relays), Summer Gray (sprints, relays), Jordan Chase (relays, jumps) Carmen Caterina (distance, relays) and Maddie Alexander (sprints, relays).

On the boys roster are seniors Greg Wallace (sprints, relays), Ryan Smith (sprints, relays), Kevin Nolan (sprints, relays), Ryan Moody (relays, jumps), Ryan Lathrop (sprints, relays), Hirnak (distance, relays), Tommy Goodwin (sprints, relays), Steven Fisher (shot put, sprints), Lukas Frenzel (distance, relays), Parit Chancherngoanich (sprints, relays), Danny Catlin (distance, relays) and Colton Burne (sprints, relays), juniors Deshaun Ulrickson (relays, shot put), Ty Veno (relays, high jump), Nick Smith (sprints, relays), Nick Rogers (sprints, relays), Cristian Robles (shot put, sprints), Nick Rancourt (sprints, relays), Mike Potvin (sprints, shot put), Justin Pierce (distance, high jump), Jake Papa (distance, relays), Shea Nelson (distance, relays), Riley Kons (shot put), Ellison Etnier (sprints, relays), Zach Evans (sprints, relays) and Dominic Burch (shot put, sprints), sophomores Michael Tran (relays, shot put), Kellen Radulski (distance, relays), Andrew McCracken (hurdles, pole vault), Keenan Marley (sprints, relays), Matt Gott (distance, relays), Gabe Donovan (sprints, relays), Devon Drew (hurdlers, relays), Charlie Crosby (sprints, relays) ad Nick Courant (sprints, relays), freshmen Evan Thibeault (sprints, relays), Griffin Thurston (relays, pole vault), Joey Reed (sprints, relays), Dan Pelletier (sprints, relays), Nick Breed (sprints, relays) and William Goller (sprints, relays).