Buchanan

Buchanan

Cimino

Cimino

MALE:

PAUL BUCHANAN, Senior-Football

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  • Campbell Conference Class B all-star, first-team

  • Co-captain

Buchanan was the anchor on both sides of the ball for a Rangers team that again overcame its limited numbers and enjoyed a better-than-expected campaign.

Buchanan started playing football in the fifth grade and while he’s also been a hockey goalie and throws the shot put in outdoor track, football is his top sport.

“I like hitting people,” Buchanan said. “I just like the physicality.”

After playing a limited role on the Greely varsity as a freshman, Buchanan, who stands 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, became a standout on the offensive and defensive lines over the past three seasons.

The Rangers started 0-2 this fall, but gradually improved and earned a playoff spot. Greely, which lost to rival Falmouth in the regular season finale, got another shot against the Yachtsmen in the Class B South quarterfinals and turned the tables, beating Falmouth in the teams’ first-ever postseason encounter. While the Rangers lost to Biddeford in the semifinals, it was another very successful year.

“We’re such a small team, so everyone has to play and tries as hard as they can,” Buchanan said. “We were really close.”

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For the season, Buchanan had 75 tackles, including eight for losses, and he registered a whopping 14 sacks. He consistently came up huge on the defensive end and helped open holes for his teammates on offense.

“I’m pretty competitive,” said Buchanan, who credits a strong commitment to weightlifting beginning his junior year for his taking his game to the next level. “When I started, I wasn’t that big, but when I saw I was just as good as other players, that gave me confidence. Lifting weights has made a big difference.”

Buchanan hopes to play in college and is considering his options.

The Rangers once again turned heads this season and Paul Buchanan, Greely’s Fall Male Athlete of the Year, was the backbone of the team’s triumph.

Coach David Higgins’ comment: “Paul led by example both on and off the field. He was an excellent mentor for the younger players. When we needed a big play on defense he made it. He was in just about every defensive highlight we had this year.”

Prior winners:

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2015 Sam Peck (football)

2014 Aidan Roberts (golf)

2013 Matt Crowley (soccer)

2012 Svenn Jacobsen (football)

2011 Stefan Sandreuter (cross country)

2010 Jon Higgins (football)

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2009 Logan Price (cross country)

2008 Steven Chase (soccer)

2007 James LePage (cross country)

2006 Oliver Blum (soccer)

2005 Greg Frost (soccer)

2004 Casey Diehl (cross country)

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2003 Will Robinson (golf)

2002 Ben True (cross country)

2001 Ben True (cross country)

FEMALE:

KAYLEY CIMINO, Senior—Volleyball

  • All-State

  • WMC all-star, first-team

Cimino was an unmatched powerhouse at the net, but was just as effective setting up her teammates and delivering an unreturnable serve in a nearly perfect season for the champion Rangers, as she capped her transcendent career with the one thing that was missing from her resume, a Gold Ball.

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Cimino first took to the volleyball court in the third grade, following in the footsteps of her sister, Danielle. While softball was initially her top sport, by the time she reached high school, volleyball had become her passion.

“I like the intensity of volleyball,” Cimino said. “It’s a fast-paced game. I like how close the team is.”

Cimino made an impact as a freshman, registering 22 aces, 68 assists and 18 kills. As a sophomore, she became a bigger factor, producing 96 kills, 61 assists, 49 aces and 20 blocks. By junior year, she was able to stake her claim as the state’s best player, finishing with 168 kills, 157 assists, 49 aces, 60 digs and 17 blocks, but Greely again fell short of the championship, losing to Scarborough in the state final. 

Cimino’s stats this fall were overwhelming: 180 kills, 124 assists, 224 service points, 82 aces, 30 digs and 23 blocked shots. In an early season 3-0 win over Falmouth, Cimino had 12 service points, 12 assists, nine kills and three blocks. Against Gorham in the quarterfinals, Cimino had 15 kills, 14 assists and 10 service points. Then, saving her best for last, Cimino led Greely to the pinnacle in four sets over Scarborough by delivering 15 kills, adding 11 assists and serving 18 points.

The Rangers didn’t even lose a set in the regular season, they were that dominant.

“(Not losing a set) was a huge accomplishment,” Cimino said. “It gave us something to work for. We had really good team chemistry. The underclassmen wanted to win as much as I did. We played really well together.”

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Cimino’s play and emotion on the court set her apart.

“I hate losing,” she said. “My whole family is that way. The expectation is not to lose.”

Cimino has played for the Maine Juniors travel team and will take her talents to Springfield (Massachusetts) College next year.

She’ll certainly be hard to replace. Kayley Cimino, Greely’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, took the sport of volleyball to another level and her team to the Promised Land in the process.

Coach Kelvin Hasch‘s comment: “Kayley’s quickness and knowledge of the game set her apart. Teams would focus on her, but she can read the ball and get to the ball. She gets every ball. I don’t know how she does it. We used her wherever we needed her most.”

Prior winners:

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2015 Izzy Hutnak (soccer)

2014 Katherine Leggat-Barr (cross country)

2013 Kirstin Sandreuter (cross country)

2012 Haleigh Roach (volleyball)

2011 Maggie Bradley (volleyball)

2010 Kirstin Sandreuter (cross country)

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2009 Erin Cadigan (volleyball)

2008 Hillary Cederna (volleyball)

2007 Mackenzie Ross (field hockey)

2006 Aly Robinson (soccer)

2005 Amanda Gray (volleyball)

2004 Rachelle Doucette (soccer)

2003 Hayly Ross (field hockey)

2002 Kim Alexander (soccer)

2001 Amanda Chase (field hockey)

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


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