After many close calls, Scarborough’s boys’ hockey team got to celebrate a long-awaited Class A state title a year ago. The Red Storm have what it takes to repeat.

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BOYS’ BASKETBALL

COACH: Tony DiBiase (fourth year, 30-28 overall record)

2014-15 record: 8-11 (Lost, 78-62, to Deering in Western A preliminary round)

TOP RETURNING PLAYER: Jake Gardner (Senior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 15 CHEVERUS, Dec. 22 SOUTH PORTLAND, Jan. 5 PORTLAND, Jan. 12 @ South Portland, Jan. 14 @ Gorham, Jan. 26 GORHAM, Feb. 2 DEERING

COACH’S COMMENT: “We have basically a whole new team, but we’ll be competitive. It’s been fun watching the young kids develop. We’ll have some good moments, but we’ll be inconsistent. We have guys who can put the ball in the basket and we’ll play defense. We won’t use our youth as an excuse. We do have talent. I’ve seen it. It’s a matter of understanding the game. It’s a process. We’re hoping to keep getting better and make the playoffs. We want to be better at the end of the season than at the beginning.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough has made the playoffs in each of DiBiase’s previous three seasons, but the program is largely starting from scratch this winter. The Red Storm boast a lot of raw talent which could surprise in the weeks to come.

Gardner saw the most time a year ago. Standing 6-foot-6-inches, Gardner will be a top scorer and rebounder in the post (he averaged 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 2014-15). Senior Andrew Porada will play a bigger role at forward this season. Junior Emmitt Peoples also saw limited time last winter and will be a top guard. Several other players are awaiting a chance to make a name for themselves.

Scarborough will look terrific some nights and struggle others, but it should be competitive throughout. In their first season in the new Class AA South designation, the Red Storm will be in the mix for a playoff spot. Don’t be surprised if this is a very dangerous team by the time February rolls around.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

COACH: Mike Giordano (third year, 17-22 overall record)

2014-15 record: 10-10 (Lost, 43-27, to Thornton Academy in Western A quarterfinals)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Emma Hall (Senior), Jamie Sargent (Senior), Jordyn Cowan (Junior), Brooke Malone (Junior), Sophie Glidden (Sophomore)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 15 @ Windham, Dec. 22 MCAULEY, Dec. 29 @ South Portland, Jan. 2 @ TA, Jan. 5 PORTLAND, Jan. 12 @ Cheverus, Jan. 26 @ McAuley, Jan. 29 TA, Feb. 2 @ Deering

COACH’S COMMENT: “I’m comfortable putting nine kids on the floor and not seeing a change in what we do. We’re very athletic, but we have just three seniors and we’re not very big. We’re in the tougher region in Class AA. Our goal is to make the tournament. This year, one win gets you to the Civic Center. That would be a great season.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough made the tournament for the fourth year in a row last winter and even gave eventual regional champion Thornton Academy a scare in the quarterfinals before bowing out. Graduation then took its toll, as Bailey Adams and Ashley Briggs departed. In their wake is an athletic and promising team. One that might take awhile to hit its stride.

Glidden made the SMAA All-Rookie team in 2014-15 and could be a top scorer from her forward position. Malone has been a force down low, but is moving to guard this season. She can hit shots from 3-point range. Sargent is another shooter to watch. Sophomore Emily Jefferds and freshman Josie Couture were vying for the point guard spot at press time. Cowan, coming off a volleyball championship in the fall, will anchor the post, along with Hall, a top defender.

The Red Storm feature a lot of interchangeable pieces and will be fun to watch. Look for this group to be much stronger in late January and February than it will be to start the season. Reaching the playoffs again is the goal and that’s attainable. As was the case a year ago, Scarborough could be a very tough out in the tournament.

BOYS’ HOCKEY

COACH: Norm Gagne (seventh year, 75-39-8 overall record, one state championship)

2014-15 record: 14-5-3 (Beat St. Dom’s, 2-1, in 2 OTs, to win Class A state title)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Jack Callahan (Senior), Matt Caron (Senior), Colin Hayward (Senior), Sean McDonald (Senior), Cam Nigro (Senior), Kyle Jacques (Junior), Eric Murray (Junior), Skylar Pettingill (Junior), Cam Smith (Junior)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 8 CHEVERUS, Dec. 10 BIDDEFORD, Dec. 16 EL, Jan. 2 @ Kennebunk, Jan. 9 GORHAM, Jan. 12 @ Falmouth, Jan. 16 LEWISTON, Jan. 23 @ Cheverus, Jan. 25 @ Biddeford, Feb. 4 Cape Elizabeth, Feb. 6 @ Lewiston. Feb. 11 ST. DOM’S, Feb. 17 FALMOUTH

COACH’S COMMENT: “I have a very good group. Graduation took its toll and we lost a lot of good players, but a lot of our sophomores got a lot of experience on a state championship team. If it wasn’t for their growth, we wouldn’t have won it. We have a good nucleus. We’re getting new kids to learn the system to create trust among the players. If we can do that and our seniors teach the younger kids, I think we’ll be successful. When you’re state champions, everyone comes at you.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: After several frustrating close calls, Scarborough struck gold a year ago, ending Falmouth’s two-year reign as champion in the most dramatic way possible, winning the state title on Sean McGovern’s goal in double overtime to beat St. Dom’s. While several top players graduated, the Red Storm have reloaded and will make another run at the top spot.

Scarborough’s top line of Callahan, Fall Male Athlete of the Year Caron and Nigro is as formidable as you’ll find. Callahan was a second-team all-star a year ago. The second line isn’t too shabby either, as Jacques, Pettingill and Smith look to make a name for themselves. Juniors Thomas Marshall and Justin Perry are other scorers to watch. The defense is led by McDonald, a first-team all-star last season and Murray, a second-team all-star in 2014-15. Hayward also has ample experience. The big hole to fill is in goal. Reigning Winter Male Athlete of the Year Ben Bragg was transcendent last March and won’t soon be forgotten. Senior Ross LeBlond, a transfer from Cape Elizabeth, and sophomore Brandon Wasser, who saw limited time last winter, were vying for the starting job at press time.

While there are still some uncertainties, rest assured that Gagne, our Coach of the Year last winter, will figure out who belongs where. Enough talent remains for another deep playoff run. If the hunger is there as well, Scarborough will be in the running for a second Class A title to come quickly on the heels of the unforgettable first.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY

COACH: Caitlin Cashman (seventh year, 91-23-5 overall record, one state championship)

2014-15 results: 14-5-1 (Lost, 4-2, to Falmouth in West Region Final)

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS: Madison O’Reilly (Senior), Lily Nygren (Junior), Sami Shoebottom (Junior), Lucca Sterrer (Junior), Lucy Bogdanovich (Sophomore), Ellie Smith (Sophomore)

PIVOTAL GAMES: Dec. 9 EL/LEAVITT, Jan. 2 CHEVERUS, Jan. 6 @ Cheverus, Jan. 16 LEWISTON, Jan. 22 FALMOUTH, Jan. 27 @ Greely

COACH’S COMMENT: “Our goal is always make it to states, but in doing so we have to utilize our speed and stay disciplined in our zone. Our hope is being prepared for each game by working hard every practice, every shift and every period. We’re focusing on being a three-period team, outworking our opponents, playing our systems and playing aggressive but disciplined across all three zones. We’ll see where the season takes us.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough, which also includes players from Sacopee Valley this winter, wasn’t able to go back-to-back as champion last year, falling in the regional final. This winter, the Red Storm are on the short list of title favorites again, but it won’t come easily. Scarborough opened with a 3-3 tie at Falmouth, then defeated Portland-Deering (8-1) and twice beat the Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/South Portland co-op, 2-0 and 5-3.

Once again, the Red Storm’s attack will be paced by the standout, Shoebottom, Scarborough’s reigning Winter Female Athlete of the Year. Shoebottom had a hat trick in the tie against Falmouth, scored four times against Portland-Deering and won’t be slowed much by any foe. Bogdanovich, O’Reilly, Smith, junior Cara Reynolds, freshman Logan Bruns and newcomers Courtney Brochu, Olivia Ridley and Taylor Veilleux are other goal scorers to watch. Nygren is a top defender in front of Sterrer, who returns in goal. Newcomer Mackenzie Cormier will also see time between the pipes.

Scarborough should only get better as the season goes along as the newer players blend with Shoebottom to make up a team that’s very tough to stop. The Red Storm know how to win games in the postseason and they won’t be content with anything shy of a second state title in three years. Don’t bet against them.

INDOOR TRACK

BOYS’ COACH: Derek Veilleux (12th year, five state championships)

GIRLS’ COACH: Ron Kelly (20th year, nine state championships)

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 2nd @ Class A state meet

(GIRLS) 3rd @ Class A state meet

TOP RETURNERS:

(BOYS) Chris Dionne (Senior), Connor Doherty (Senior), Griffin Madden (Senior), Colin Tardiff (Senior), Ben Batoosingh (Junior), Matthew Blaisdell (Junior), Sebastian Osborne (Junior), Sam Rusak (Junior)

(GIRLS) Laura Volan (Senior), Marisa Carbone (Junior), Edie Christian (Junior), Sydney Rusak (Junior), Ellen Shaw (Junior), Elizabeth Tardiff (Junior), Lucy Malia (Sophomore), Gaby Panagakos (Sophomore), Sydnie Pike (Sophomore), Samantha Saraceno (Sophomore), Bethany Sholl (Sophomore), Katie Verreault (Sophomore)

COACH VEILLEUX’S COMMENT: “We return an experienced team. Our depth isn’t what it’s been in the past, but we have several standout athletes who should contribute at all levels. We’ve got a lot of new freshmen out, which is great for the program moving forward. Our goal will be to get better each day and compete at our best during the championship season.”

COACH KELLY’S COMMENT: “We’ll develop the young kids at the beginning of the season. We hope to battle at the end of the season.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Both Scarborough teams are on the short list of Class A favorites once again.

The boys came as close to a championship without winning it as possible a year ago, as Falmouth edged the Red Storm in the final event, snapping their four-year title reign. This winter, Scarborough looks to return to the top spot. Madden is the reigning Class A runner-up in the 55 hurdles. He’ll look to move up to first. He’s the lone returning individual scorer, but several athletes are ready to make their mark. Doherty, Tardiff and senior Andrew Sholl are the top distance threats. Batoosingh, Blaisdell and Dionne are sprinters to watch, along with new senior Jacob McGarvey. Blaisdell and Rusak look to score in the jumps. Osborne is the top thrower. There are several strong teams in the SMAA and the Red Storm will have even more obstacles at states, but don’t be surprised if they return to the pinnacle.

On the girls’ side, last year’s finish was Scarborough’s best since winning eight straight championships between 2005-12. This winter, Volan hopes to move up from second in the mile (her finish last year) to first. She’ll also compete in the two-mile, where she came in fourth back in February. Shaw (fourth in the 55 hurdles and fifth in the high jump last winter) is another top returner. Sholl (seventh in the mile a year ago) is another returning scorer. Other athletes to watch include Carbone (800), Christian (pole vault), Malia (two-mile), Panagakos (400, 800), Pike (shot put), Rusak (jumps, hurdles), Saraceno (middle distance), Stolz (shot put) and Verreault (mile). A couple freshmen, Leah Batoosingh (400) and Elizabeth Tardiff (pole vault), will also be heard from. The Red Storm cover the events well and there’s no shortage of talent. Another memorable season is in store.

SWIMMING

COACH: Eric French (sixth year)

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 9th @ Class A state meet

(GIRLS) 15th @ Class A state meet

TOP RETURNERS:

(BOYS) Kyle Ankermann (Senior), Joey Christian (Junior), T.J. Hinkley (Junior), Anton Jasa (Junior), Sam Greenberg (Sophomore)

(GIRLS) Edie Frederick (Junior), Megan Caldwell (Sophomore), Hannah Griffin (Sophomore)

COACH’S COMMENT: “This is the biggest team I’ve had at Scarborough. We have 68 swimmers this year with a large senior and freshman class. We’ll be led by solid upperclassmen for the boys’ team. Our girls will rely on a mixture of upperclassmen and a strong freshman group that’s been waiting to break out on to the high school scene. We gained key swimmers who moved from out of state. Our teams goals are to make the top three at Southwesterns and top eight at states.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough has no shortage of swimmers this winter and is poised to move up the standings.

Ankermann is the top returner on the boys’ side. He placed seventh in the 50 freestyle a year ago. He’ll also swim the backstroke this season. Greenberg scored in the medley relay a year ago and will look for big things in the free and backstroke. Also returning are Christian (distance freestyle), Hinkley (distance freestyle) and Jasa (fly). Many others are waiting for a chance to make their mark and when you add it all up, the Red Storm should be very strong in the regular season and will make a run at a top five finish at states.

On the girls’ side, Griffin returns after finishing fourth in the 500 free and seventh in the backstroke. She’ll look to do even better this time. Caldwell (individual medley) and Frederick (breaststroke) are other returners of note. Several newcomers will also be heard from and like the boys, the girls’ team will only get better and should finish in the top 10 for the first time since 2011.

ALPINE SKIING

COACH: Scott Berube (first year)

2014-15 results:

(BOYS) 3rd @ Class A state meet

(GIRLS) 6th @ Class A state meet

TOP RETURNERS:

(BOYS) Matt Hodgkins (Senior), Andrew Mills (Senior), Nathan Orff (Junior)

(GIRLS) Sara Hassler (Senior), Sophia Zidow (Senior)

COACH’S COMMENT: “The boys will set their sights to win the SMAA championship.  The girls’ team looks to do the same, as well as having a good shot at the state Alpine title.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough welcomes a new coach this winter in Berube, a longtime coach at the USSA level. He inherits a small, but up-and-coming program.

The boys are led by Mills, who came in third in the slalom and 15th in the giant slalom last year. Hodgkins and Orff also return. Justyn Sears is a newcomer to watch. The Red Storm can look for a big season from Mills, while others help the program grow.

On the girls’ side, Hassler is coming off a season which saw her place sixth in the slalom and 15th in the GS. Zidow and sophomores Isabel Cayer, Carly Randal and Olivia Stanton hope to score as well. Scarborough should be among the best teams in the league and the state when all is said and done.

WRESTLING

COACH: Deron Sharp (first year)

2014-15 results: 12th @ Class A state meet

TOP RETURNERS: Andy Blanchard (Senior), Kynthia Green (Senior), Michael Libby (Senior), John Stolz (Senior), Jeremy Sendrowski (Sophomore)

COACH’S COMMENT: “The kids are tough. They’ve been wrestling hard. They’re great students. They listen well. I’m very hopeful and optimistic. We’re focusing on character and being mentally tough. We’ll execute a plan and the wins and losses will take care of themselves.”

THE FORECASTER’S FORECAST: Scarborough’s wrestling program will make the most of its small numbers under new coach Sharp, who wrestled in high school and college and previously served as a coach in New Jersey.

Sendrowski is the reigning Class A champion at 113 pounds. He’ll look to win another crown, likely at 120 or 126 this winter. Blanchard (182), Green (126 or 132), Libby (160 or 170) and Stoltz (170) have experience as well.

The Red Storm will be tough in several weight classes this winter and it’s quite likely that Sendrowski could win another crown and perhaps have some company.

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

Senior Jake Gardner’s size and strength should lead Scarborough’s boys’ basketball team to its share of wins this winter.

Senior Andrew Porada is another player to watch.

Sophie Glidden had a strong freshman season and will look to pick up some of the scoring load for Scarborough’s girls’ basketball team.

Brooke Malone has played very well her first two seasons and this winter, will look to score from the perimeter.

Senior Jack Callahan is a top scoring threat for a potent Scarborough boys’ hockey squad.

Junior Cam Smith will look to add to his scoring total in the weeks to come.

Senior Matt Caron anchors the Red Storm’s top line.

Senior Sean McDonald is a top defenseman for the Red Storm.

Junior Sami Shoebottom is perhaps the state’s best player and she hopes to lead Scarborough to a second state title in three seasons.

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