Every basketball season is special, but you could make the argument that the 2012-13 campaign raised the bar to a triumphant new height.

There were thrills galore in Forecaster Country, capped by the Falmouth boys cutting down the Class B nets.

Here’s one man’s opinion on the best stories in our coverage area this season.

Michael’s Top Five stories/moments:

5) Greely boys extend playoff streak

The Greely boys’ team won just half of its games this winter, but the Rangers did manage to reach the postseason for the 22nd consecutive year. Greely handled Fryeburg in the preliminary round, but the Rangers were eliminated by York in the quarterfinals, 64-38.

4) Greely girls edge Falmouth in playoff thriller

After reeling to finish the regular season, fifth-ranked Greely hosted rival No. 12 Falmouth, the last team to make the field, in the Western Class B preliminary round Feb. 13. The Rangers won two regular season meetings against the Yachtsmen, but doing so a third time proved quite challenging. The game was tight throughout, but thanks to 14 points from sophomore Ashley Storey and 10 from senior Jaclyn Storey, survived, 42-40. Falmouth bowed out despite a 20-point performance from Dayna Vascencelos.

3) Then pound Leavitt at the Expo

Greely went to the quarterfinals at the Portland Exposition Building six days later to face high-flying Leavitt. The Rangers were more than true to the test, leading all the way and rolling to an emphatic 42-27 triumph behind 14 points, 12 rebounds, six assists and two steals from Ashley Storey and 10 points, four boards, four assists and five blocks from Jaclyn Storey. Greely’s run finally ended in the semifinals with a 42-27 loss to eventual regional champion Lake Region.

2) Freeport girls get to Expo

The Freeport girls were 6-6 and at a crossroads in late January, but the Falcons finished in style, winning their final six games to earn a home preliminary round playoff game. There, Freeport held off Maranacook for its first ever Class B postseason win, 48-37. The Falcons then took the big stage at the Expo for the first time in the quarterfinals and while they were ultimately defeated, 65-29, by Lake Region, it was quite a ride.

1) Falmouth was the most fabulous

The Falmouth boys entered the season highly touted and proved to be even better than expected. The Yachtsmen pummeled almost every regular season foe and lost just once, at York. Top-ranked Falmouth toyed with Maranacook and Mountain Valley in its first two playoff games, then earned some revenge with a 67-46 drubbing of York in the regional final. The state game was more of the same as the Yachtsmen raced to a quick lead, never trailed and put up 26 points in the first quarter. Falmouth, behind yet another balanced attack of seasoned veterans and promising youngsters, never looked back and went on to a decisive 62-39 victory to capture a second Class B Gold Ball.

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