Greely’s girls’ basketball team had no peer a year ago and is looking to win another championship this winter.

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BOYS’ BASKETBALL

COACH: Travis Seaver (fourth year, 39-22 overall record)

2014-15 record: 10-10 (Lost, 68-51, to eventual state champion Cape Elizabeth in Western B quarterfinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Caleb Normandeau (Senior), Cal Soule (Senior), Jordan Bagshaw (Junior), Matt McDevitt (Junior), Ryan Twitchell (Junior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 9 @ York, Dec. 15 YARMOUTH, Dec. 19 FALMOUTH, Jan. 5 @ Yarmouth, Jan. 15 YORK, Jan. 22 @ Marshwood, Jan. 26 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 30 WESTBROOK, Feb. 4 @ Falmouth

COACH’S COMMENT: “I’m excited about this group. I have great kids who work hard in practice. We graduated two starters, but most everyone else is back. We’re another year older and more mature. I hope that shows on the court. We match up well with everyone and create matchup problems. We could have two or three guys in double digits every night. We’re in a tough conference. A lot of teams are on the same level. We want to make a deep run in the playoffs. We’re capable of doing that.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: There isn’t a ton of preseason buzz around the Rangers, but this group has the ingredients to have a special season. A solid core returns and several newcomers make Greely that much more formidable.

The Rangers have no shortage of players who can put the ball in the basket. The top returning scorer is McDevitt, a second-team league all-star, who was sixth in the Western Maine Conference last year with a 16.2 points per game average. McDevitt is a forward who can get the job done inside and outside, as can Twitchell, who could emerge as an elite player in the weeks to come. Soule also has experience at the forward position and is a steady leader, one who has enjoyed great success on the diamond and hopes to translate that triumph to the hardwood. Senior Evan McCarthy (the football standout) and freshman Zack Brown bring depth to the frontcourt. In the backcourt, Normandeau will play point guard. He has terrific vision and can also shoot when needed. Bagshaw will the shooting guard and has the ability to bury long range looks. Mix in sophomore Shane DeWolfe and that’s a lot of shooters for the opposition to contend with.

As part of the statewide reclassification, Greely finds itself in Class A South with rivals Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth and York and longtime Class A squads Biddeford, Marshwood and Westbrook, among others. The schedule will be daunting, but the Rangers should be up to the task. Greely might struggle at times if its shots aren’t falling, but look for the Rangers to improve last year’s win total, extend their postseason streak to 25 years and be a force deep into the playoffs.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

COACH: Joel Rogers (fourth year, 50-13 overall record, one state championship)

2014-15 record: 20-2 (Beat Presque Isle, 56-39, to win Class B state title)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Maddie Cyr (Senior), Lexi Faietta (Senior), Sarah Felkel (Senior) Molly Chapin (Junior), Isabel Porter (Junior), Moira Train (Junior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 9 YORK, Dec. 16 GORHAM, Dec. 19 @ Falmouth, Jan. 15 @ York, Jan. 18 @ Gray-NG, Jan. 22 MARSHWOOD, Jan. 26 CAPE ELIZABETH, Jan. 29 @ Westbrook, Feb. 4 FALMOUTH

COACH’S COMMENT: “This could be a really special team. Ashley Storey was a one in a 20-year player. This could be a once in a 20-year team. We’re very good shooting 3s and we rebound better than I thought we would. We’re not big, but boy, we’re quick and athletic. We have one of the best schedules. We could stumble along the way, but I think we’re good enough to win a state championship again.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely was a joy to watch a year ago, winning its first Class B title in 11 years in absolutely dominant fashion. The Rangers lost Miss Maine Basketball Ashley Storey and sparkplug Haley Felkel to graduation, but Rogers (who is assisted this season by former boys’ assistant, Chris Fitzpatrick, and former Deering standout Jamaal Caterina) thinks this edition could be even better, which is a frightening proposition for the rest of the state. Greely could indeed find its way back to a Gold Ball, but it won’t be easy.

The Rangers won’t have the inside presence that Storey, the league leader in points and rebounds, provided, but will be difficult to match up with on the perimeter. Chapin, Porter and Train, who will all play guard/forward, hit big 3-pointers during last year’s championship run. Faietta has emerged during the preseason and is ready to make her presence felt and then there’s freshman Anna DeWolfe, who starred on the soccer field and is being touted as a basketball prodigy (Rogers says she’s “better than advertised”). Opposing defenses will have to pick their poison. Making the offense go will be the point guard, Sarah Felkel, who can shoot when needed, but is happy distributing to her teammates. Junior Hannah Stewart, a guard, hopes to play a bigger role this year and an exciting addition to the team, senior guard/forward, Izzy Hutnak, the soccer star and Greely’s Fall Female Athlete of the Year, will help provide leadership, pressure on defense and valuable depth. Cyr will be a contributor as well.

The Rangers will play smothering defense, cause turnovers that will lead to easy baskets and when the transition points aren’t coming, the halfcourt offense could be close to unstoppable. As long as the shots are dropping, the opponents will be too. Greely last went back-to-back in 1983 and 1984. Even though the Rangers are in a challenging new-look Class A South and will have to face some excellent teams, some of which will be unfamiliar, they have the look of being something special. Again.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

COACH: Barry Mothes (22nd year, 259-164-14 overall record, three state championships)

2014-15 record: 3-15-1 (Lost, 4-2, to Yarmouth in Western B quarterfinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Nathan Gervais (Senior), Colby Williams (Senior), Colby Robinson (Junior), Jack Saffian (Junior), Ryan Sullivan (Junior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 10 KENNEBUNK, Jan. 1 FALMOUTH, Jan. 5 BIDDEFORD, Jan. 9 @ Kennebunk, Jan. 13 @ Gorham, Jan. 16 YARMOUTH, Jan. 23 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 30 MESSALONSKEE, Feb. 3 GORHAM, Feb. 11 YORK, Feb. 13 @ Yarmouth

COACH’S COMMENT: “While still relatively young, with only three seniors skating regular shifts, we’ve had a very positive and focused preseason and will look to build on that as the regular season approaches. The day-to-day effort and attitude has been excellent so far and it feels like we’ve been improving every day. Our goaltending and defense should help us compete all season, but we’ll have to find ways to generate more consistent offense and simply score more goals. Last year, we averaged under two goals a game and didn’t score in eight games. With another tough regular season schedule, we have to work particularly hard for wins, but the hope is those kinds of games will help strengthen the team as the season goes on and the race for playoff spots deepens.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely had the fewest victories in program history a year ago, but still managed to make the playoffs for the 15th year in a row. This winter, the Rangers are much better equipped to compete and if they can score more consistently, they’ll find themselves back in their accustomed spot among the elite teams in Class B.

Williams, a captain and forward, is the top returning starter. He had eight goals last season and will look to score even more this winter. Gervais, another captain and forward, hopes to build on his stats (2 goals, 4 assists). Saffian (3 goals, 3 assists), the third captain, is another key member of the forward line. Senior Aidan Roberts and junior Ryan Megathlin expect to see more ice time this year and will also contribute. The defense includes the experienced Robinson and Sullivan and juniors Jack Labbe and Adam Rost, who will step into bigger spots. The biggest hole to fill comes in goal, where reigning Winter Male Athlete of the Year and two-time state champion Kyle Kramlich has departed. Junior Josh Lawless, a former junior varsity goalie, and junior Joe MacDonald, who transferred to Greely from Westford Academy in Massachusetts, were vying for Kramlich’s spot at press time.

As always, Greely faces a very difficult schedule, not just against a deep and balanced Class B South field, but versus several Class A teams as well. The Rangers will give their all and their recipe for success will be simple. Score more than last year and the wins will come. If so, Greely’s record will return to what everyone’s been accustomed to and the Rangers will have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs. This storied program is eager to return to prominence.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

COACH: Nate Guerin (sixth year, 73-25-3 overall record, two state championships)

2014-15 record: 15-4-1 (Lost, 1-0, to EL/Leavitt in East Region semifinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Danita Storey (Senior), Maura Verrill (Senior), Emilee McGillicuddy (Junior), Ellie Schad (Junior), Nica Todd (Junior), Bridget Roberts (Sophomore), Courtney Sullivan (Sophomore)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 9 @ Lewiston, Dec. 16 @ EL/Leavitt, Dec. 22 @ Cape Elizabeth, Jan. 1 FALMOUTH, Jan. 9 YARMOUTH, Jan. 18 LEWISTON, Jan. 23 @ Yarmouth, Jan. 27 SCARBOROUGH

COACH’S COMMENT: “We have a deep roster. We’re hoping our work ethic and attitude are in the right place to win the region and the state championship. Our challenge is to stay sharp mentally and continue to improve as the season wears on. We’re excited to have such a great group of girls on the team this year. In addition, we feel we have the best support in the state.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely has fallen short of the pinnacle the past couple years, but could be ready to return to the top. The Rangers started with four impressive wins, downing Biddeford (9-1), Brunswick (8-1). Winslow (11-0) and Mt. Ararat (9-0), by a composite margin of victory of 37-2.

Greely has shown its ability to light the lamp with abandon, as Storey, an all-East Region all-star last year, has scored 10 times in four games and Sullivan, a second-teamer last year, has nine goals of her own. And that’s just the beginning. McGillcuddy had a hat trick against Mt. Ararat, Annabella Goodwin, Molly Horton, Erin Molloy and Leah Poulin also have multiple goal games. Roberts, an honorable mention last season, and freshman Kylie Rogers are other offensive players to watch. On defense, Schad (a second-team all-star in 2014-15) and Verrill are joined by freshman Jayme Morrison in front of Todd, who returns in goal.

Greely can dominate all over the ice and opposing teams are going to have to score in abundance to win, something that isn’t likely to happen with Todd in goal. If the Rangers stay healthy and keep their eye on the prize, they could be the team to beat by the time February rolls around. This squad will be fun to watch all the way through and has what it takes to bring another shiny piece of hardware back to Cumberland.

INDOOR TRACK

COACH: John Folan (23rd year, 12 state championships)

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 7th @ Class B state meet

(GIRLS) 2nd @ Class B state meet

TOP RETURNERS:

(BOYS) Nathaniel Chapin (Senior), Kyle Hansen (Senior), Ryan Morrison (Senior), Chris Perry (Senior), Ryan Fraser (Junior), Dan Peabbles (Junior), Max Stickney (Junior)

(GIRLS) Kayla Barry (Senior), Alyssa Coyne (Senior), Siana Emery (Senior), Jocelyn Mitiguy (Senior), Sam Pynchon (Senior), Sofia Reali (Senior), Sophia Stickney (Senior), Olivia Bucknam (Sophomore)

COACH’S COMMENT: “Our boys’ core, especially in the distance group, along with a good number of untested new kids, gives us reason to be optimistic about a top five finish at the state meet. The girls have a nice combination of experience and youth and should be competitive.“

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely’s indoor track teams will be among the best in the Western Maine Conference and both have the opportunity to do great things at the Class B state meet.

The boys return Hansen, Morrison, Perry and sophomore Adam Bruder from a fourth-place 4×800 relay team and Peabbles from a fifth-place 4×200 relay squad. Perry (fourth in the 400) and Morrison (fifth in the two-mile and seventh in the 800) could be the top threats to score this time around. Bruder, Fraser, Hansen, Stickney and sophomore Ben Wilson add depth to the distance corps. Freshmen Luke Marsanskis and Matt Todd are newcomers to watch. Peabbles projects to be the top sprinter. Chapin and freshman Nicolas Brown are jumpers to watch. The Rangers hope to move into the top five for the first time in four years. This group has what it takes to make that happen.

On the girls’ side, after finishing runner-up to Waterville a year ago, Greely has the pieces in place to make a serious run at its first championship since 2008. For starters, the Rangers return shot put champion Coyne (who also placed fourth in the pole vault last winter), Pynchon (who was third in the high jump last season), Bucknam (who placed third in the mile as a freshman), Mitiguy (fourth in the 55 hurdles) and Stickney (part of a champion 4×800 relay team). Add to that solid foundation, Barry (a top jumper), Emery (distance), Reali (sprints) and a pair of new distance standouts, junior Katherine Leggat-Barr and freshman Carolyn Todd. Sophomores Elizabeth Brown (multiple events), Clarissa Campo (throws), Kate Curran (distance), Sydney Meredith-Pickett (sprints), Katie Steinberg (sprints) and Chloe Waldrep (jumps) and freshmen Julia Curran (distance) and Maddy Irish (hurdles) provide depth. Greely will be strong from start to finish and might just wind up atop the heap when all is said and done.

SWIMMING

COACH: Rob Hale (23rd year w/boys’ team, 25th year w/girls, 12 state championships)

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 8th @ Class B state meet

(GIRLS) Class B state champions

TOP RETURNERS:

(BOYS) Connor Rog (Senior)

(GIRLS) Katie Bacall (Senior), Camilia Civiello (Senior), Cat Maker (Senior), Hwanhee Park (Senior)

TOP FOES: Cape Elizabeth, Cheverus, Scarborough, Westbrook

COACH’S COMMENT: “Our boys’ numbers are up, but our experience is down. We’ll look to start the rebuilding process. The girls have one more year in us. It’s a talented, senior-laden team. We expect to be one of the stronger teams. We’ll battle to defend our championship. The goal is to win by more than a fraction this year.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: As usual, Greely will be a powerhouse this winter.

The girls hope to repeat in Class B behind returning standouts Park (runner-up in the 200 individual medley and the 100 butterfly last winter), Maker (second in the 50 free and third in the 100 free), Bacall (runner-up in the 500 free and fourth in the 200 free) and Civiello (sixth in the 200 free, seventh in the 100 free). Junior Sarah Beretich (freestyle, breaststroke) and Courtney Rog (multiple events) add depth. The Rangers also have North Yarmouth Academy standout Sonia Lin (second in the breaststroke and third in the IM last year) swimming with them, although she won’t score points for Greely. Don’t be surprised if the Rangers find themselves atop the heap one more time.

On the boys’ side, a year after Greely’s five-year championship reign ended, Rog is the top returner. He was eighth in the IM a year ago and will swim multiple events this season. Senior Peter Beretich (freestyle, breaststroke) is a new addition. While the Rangers won’t make a run at the top spot this time around, they’ll still be in contention and will need to be taken seriously come February.

SKIING

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 4th @ Class A combined state meet

(GIRLS) 3rd @ Class A combined state meet

ALPINE SKIING

COACH: Mark Ouellette (20th year)

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 4th @ Class A state meet

(GIRLS) 3rd @ Class A state meet

TOP RETURNERS:

(BOYS) Mick Washo (Senior), Axel Lindsey (Junior)

(GIRLS) Sarah Novick (Senior), Kelsey Otley (Senior), Jackie Perlmutter (Junior), Nettie Cunningham (Sophomore), Olivia Murley (Sophomore), Ella Novick (Sophomore)

TOP FOES: Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Yarmouth

COACH’S COMMENT: “The boys graduated several from the WMC runner-up, but we have a large freshman class bringing our numbers into the teens. It would be nice to see the boys sustain the competitive edge right through states. Our ladies are ready for a long run of continued success. We’ve owned the WMC championship for quite some time. We’re anxious to get the state crown back to Cumberland. It’s been away long enough.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Greely is primed for another strong season on the slopes.

The boys graduated top state meet scorer Tim Adams, but return Lindsey and Washo. Several freshmen hope to step in and make an impact as well. The Rangers should be competitive all winter and will make a run at another top five state meet finish.

The girls are ready to win another championship. Cunningham, who won the giant slalom last year, returns, as do Perlmutter (fifth in the GS) and Otley (fourth in the slalom). Murley, Ella Novick, Sarah Novick and Greta Van Curran are also experienced. Freshman Sabra Lindsey is a promising freshman to watch. There are no shortage of skiers on the roster, it’s just a question of who will step up the most in February. Don’t be surprised if Greely brings home more hardware.

NORDIC SKIING

COACHES: Rye Daily (third year)

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 7th @ Class A State Meet

(GIRLS) 8th @ Class A State Meet

TOP RETURNERS:

(BOYS) Evan Goettel (Sophomore)

(GIRLS) Tara Ford (Senior)

COACH’S COMMENT: “We hope to continue to grow the program and build our competitive culture. We want to develop a love for skiing and improve on our performance at states.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Both Greely Nordic ski teams hope to improve their state meet showings this winter.

The boys are led by Goettel, who could be one of the conference’s best skiers this season. Freshmen Matt Pidgeon and Matt Smith-Erb are new to the squad and could step in and make an immediate impact. This team will be heard from in the regular season and in February.

On the girls’ side, Emily Follett will be missed, but Ford, a captain, is ready to be the lead skier. Junior Riley Soule is new to the team and should be a factor. The Rangers are ready to show consistency and improvement and will be very good by season’s end.

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

Junior Matt McDevitt figures to be a top scorer for Greely’s boys’ basketball team.

Senior Caleb Normandeau will be Greely’s point guard.

Senior Cal Soule is a team leader who knows how to win big games.

Ryan Twitchell had a strong sophomore season and could be one of the Rangers top scorers.

Junior Molly Chapin came up big often a year ago and will be a key contributor again this winter.

Senior Sarah Felkel will be one of the team leaders this season.

Sophomore Isabel Porter is a key outside shooter for the Rangers.

Junior Moira Train will be one of the league’s top long range gunners this winter.

Senior captain Nathan Gervais returns at forward for Greely’s boys’ hockey team which is looking to make it to the playoffs once again.

Senior Danita Storey is one of the state’s elite players and figures to score many goals in the weeks to come.

Courtney Sullivan had a terrific freshman season and is back for more.

Junior Nica Todd is back in goal for the Rangers.