MPA Regular Season Wrap-Up
As February break looms for those in high school, the Maine Principals Association playoffs are about to get underway. With a number of divisions throughout the state, we decided to take a look at a handful of teams with some familiar faces that have dominated their respective leagues thus far. Let’s see how things have unfolded.
Gorham has dominated the competition at the highest level of the MPA with a 16-2 record heading into the postseason. Senior college prospect Ashton LeClerc has impressed as a scorer with his three-point shooting strengths, physical play, and leadership. Gabe Michaud is also a major contributor as a rebounder, competitive defender and spot up shooter, while Caden Smith’s strength at the wing combined with scoring prowess from long range are notable. Smith is averaging north of 17 points per game on the year. With a bye in the upcoming tournament, get ready for Gorham to make their mark.
Scarborough High is 14-4 on the season and has one of the premier, high-upside prospects in the state in big forward Spencer Booth and a star senior Liam Garriepy. The latter was named to the Maine 2024 rankings as he has continued to improve his game as a shooter known for coming up in the clutch. At 6’7” Garriepy intrigues as a college prospect with a blend of size and skill at the forward spot. Booth caught our eye back in September and has built on his budding reputation as a double-double machine. The big sophomore brings a floor stretching threat and is a switchable defender with quickness.
Hampden Academy has been dominant finishing the regular season with a 16-2 record. Star guard and UMaine-Farmington commit, Zach McLaughlin, is a major reason for that as he brings the offensive power. Recently surpassing 1,000 career points, McLaughlin’s pull-up shooting and ability to will his team into games with his scoring is very impressive. As the team finished 16-2, they actually lost a 12 game winning streak recently as McLaughlin missed a game. Keep an eye on Hampden Academy in Class A.
Mt. Blue is off to a 15-3 season thus far as the regional high school in the Farmington area looks to make a playoff run. 6’3” senior guard Evans Sterling passed the 1,000 point mark recently and he earned it. Outside of his hard-work on crafting his shot and putting it to work in-game, Sterling is known to make the extra pass and get the ball to open teammates for good shot opportunities. With college interest buzzing around him and a state title run on the line, watch out for Sterling and Mt. Blue.
At 14-4, Noble High School out of North Berwick Maine is looking to make some noise in the state tournament. The knights are led by star junior Jamier Rose who is an offensive scoring power with a smooth game filled with step-backs, pull-ups and fancy finishes in the lane. His junior running mate Bryce Guitard is a notable presence as well as Guitard is a knockdown catch-and-shoot threat that also excels in transition offense. Senior Isaiah Conary makes an impact with his physical play on both ends, and junior guard Ashton Mutagoma brings impressive finishing ability at the basket. The knights are ready to roll in the playoffs.
Oceanside High School has made some noise around the country as they have had a number of games with a large point differential, proving their strength as a team as they have yet to lose this season. The Galley brothers, Carter and Cohen, are the leaders as the twin seniors pack an elite scoring punch. Carter is now the schools all-time leading scorer and is averaging a whopping 30 points per game this season. He is a sniper from three as he’s converted 67 shots from behind-the-arc, good for 46% of his attempts. Cohen is the perfect second fiddle, scoring 23 points per game, but making a big impact as a playmaker and on the defensive end. The brothers will look to bring the team a state championship and undefeated season this winter.
15-3 Falmouth looks primed to make a run in the playoffs beginning with a matchup with Westbrook. Falmouth is led by 6’ 8” forward Chris Simonds with imposing size. Simonds is a strong scorer inside-the-arc with smart defensive instincts to rack up numbers in the block column. With a commitment to Bowdoin already in hand and a vengeance on his last season ending in injury, Simonds and Falmouth are ready for the postseason.
Orono has been having a tremendous season thus far, with senior guard Pierce Walston leading the way. Walston is a sneaky guard with a tight handle on the ball that he uses to keep defenders on their toes. As the focal point of the offense, Walston scores a number of big baskets night-in and night-out, and with his threat to score creates for others. Fellow senior, Ben Francis, often impacts the game from the forward spot as a slasher to the basket and a floor spacing shooter.
Ellsworth finished as the top seed in the north division led by senior guard Chance Mercier, who earned a spot in the 2024 Maine rankings. Mercier averaged a near double-double at 22+ points per game and 8+ rebounds per game. The senior’s game has a swiss-army knife feel to it as he contributes in all facets whether it's as a scorer, cleaning the glass, moving the ball as a playmaker or impacting the game defensively. At 15-3, Mercier is looking to take the squad on a playoff run once again.
To follow along with the postseason brackets, please go HERE.
Chris Simonds
Chance Mercier
Zach McLaughlin
Pierce Walston
Spencer Booth