Maine Class C & D Previews
Class C Favorite
Calais – Cam Shorey is a linebacker disguised as a basketball player and we can’t see how anyone is Class C is going to have a chance of defending him in the paint. With a nice senior base returning as well as junior Ryan Cavanaugh this team will have balance as well.
Class C Contenders
Washington Academy – Ben Teer returns from a 17-1 team from a season ago but he is one of the few as the head coach and five seniors have departed. First year coach Steve Pineo will have the weight of expectations on his shoulders but with Teer and company they should be as good as anyone.
Dirigo – Another team looking to duplicate on the success of a year ago without their star or coach as Tom Knight is at Notre Dame and David Gerrish takes over on the sidelines. Dirigo will fill Knight’s shoes by committee as a group of upper classmen hope to keep the Cougars at the top of the western division.
Livermore Falls – They return everyone from a team that played .500 basketball last year and with a slew of senior experience and no real star player, this group is balanced, versatile, and poised to make a deep run in the post-season.
Others in Class C
• Lee Academy’s high school team went 11-7 last season and also returns a good amount of veteran experience.
• Waynflete only loses one player from last season and will look to improve on a 6-12 regular season from a year ago.
• Woodland won the Class D state championship last year and moves up a level this year where they hope to challenge behind Corey Rolfe and Keith Curtis.
• While Woodland moves up, Foxcroft moves down despite going 11-7 in Class B a season ago. All five starters return from that team so look for Foxcroft to be very good this year.
Class D Favorite
Central Aroostook – While the Panthers may not feature any names known beyond Maine’s borders, they return a very talented roster from a team that went 15-3 last year. They have talent in every class meaning Central Aroostook will challenge this year and beyond.
Class D Contenders
Richmond – The defending champions lose only three players from last year’s team and have a repeat on their mind. The senior trio of Eric Murrin, Nick Wood, and Bruce Carver will lead the way as Richmond will look to take the west.
Hyde – They move down from Class C to Class D after going 12-2 in 08-09. Six-foot-seven big man David Duncan should be very consistent inside the paint while Harry Smith is another guy expected to have a big season for Richmond’s biggest competition in the west.
Jonesport-Beals – Central Aroostook’s biggest competition in the east is likely to come from Jonesport-Beals. They were only 8-10 a year ago but return a good portion of their rotation in addition to some young talent that should boost the program in the future.
Class C & D Superlatives
Best High School Player – Cam Shorey, Calais High School – It shouldn’t even be that close as the junior big man will be like a man among boys inside the paint.
Best College Prospect – Cam Shorey, Calais High School – Typically six-foot-five interior players don’t see their game translate all that well to the next level. Shorey may prove to be the expection for a couple of reasons. He is so physically powerful that he will be able to outmuscle opposing big men at the next level, even if he gives up a couple of inches, and he plays with a determination and passion that is rarely duplicated at any level.
Ben Teer
Cam Shorey