(Editor's note: Previews for indoor track and field, skiing, swimming and wrestling will be added next week.)
BASKETBALL FOR BOYS
Jeissey Khamis came to great success as a junior a year ago when Portland reached the state finals. He will be a force on both ends of the floor this season. File photos.
Trainer: Joe Russo (34th year, 463-193 overall record, five state championships)
Balance sheet 2022-23: 16-6 (lost 52-42 to South Portland in the Class AA state final)
Top returning player: Pepito Girumugisha (Senior), Jeissey Khamis (Senior), Kevin Rugabirwa (Senior), Drew Veilleux (Junior)
Decisive games: Dec 15 @ Edward Little, Dec 19 DEERING, Dec 21 CHEVERUS, Dec 22 @ South Portland, Jan 6 @ Windham, Jan 9 @ Deering, Jan 15 THORNTON ACADEMY, Jan 17 EDWARD LITTLE, Jan 17 . 20 SOUTH PORTLAND, January 25th WINDHAM, February 8th @ Cheverus
Coach's comment: “It’s a different team than last year. Maybe not as fast, but we should be a better shooting team. I enjoy the kids, but we still have a lot to figure out. We have two starters back, five kids that had significant minutes in varsity. If we put in the effort and find our style of play and team chemistry, I think we can achieve great things. I hope we have it together when it matters most.”
The meteorologist's forecast: Portland surprised a lot of people a year ago by advancing through the regional field and reaching the state finals, where their title dream was ultimately thwarted by repeat champion South Portland. The graduation took its toll on the program, but as always, the Bulldogs return some key pieces and have several other promising players ready to step in and make an impact.
Senior Kevin Rugabirwa gave the Bulldogs some highlight moments.
Khamis was a league All-Star during the 2022-23 season, averaging 6.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game and can be unstoppable at his best. He will also spend some time away from the basket this season. Veilleux was named to the SMAA All-Rookie Team as a sophomore and is another force up front. Rugabirwa (5.9 ppg) made some great shots and will be a top scorer on defense. Girumugisha will have the ball in his hands most of the time, looking to set up his teammates while also being able to score himself. Sophomore Cordell Jones, a transfer from Gorham who made a big impact in the starting lineup this fall, is the deciding factor. He is a physical force who can get to the rim and make shots. If he develops like he has during the football season, he will be a star come February. Junior Devin Walker is a potential force at the post. Senior James Johnson, junior Mateta Antonio and sophomore Lucas LeGage will be the top scoring players off the bench.
As usual, Russo will use the regular season to shape his team to its best. A brutal schedule means there will be some dips in speed, but the Bulldogs' chances are as promising as anyone else's. In a year where there was no clear favorite in Class AA, Portland has a chance to not only return to its last game but win it for the first time in seven seasons. It will be a lot of fun to watch this group.
BASKETBALL FOR GIRLS
Junior Baleria Yugu always finds open teammates. The point guard hopes to lead Portland to great success this winter.
Trainer: Abby Hasson (fourth year, 16-33 overall)
Balance sheet 2022-23: 3-16 (losing 56-33 to eventual champion Oxford Hills in the Class AA North quarterfinals)
Top returning player: Inas Alaari (Senior), Ainsley McCrum (Senior), Emma Shaw (Senior), Lucy Tidd (Senior), Baleria Yugu (Junior)
Decisive games: December 8th at Bangor, December 19th at Deering, December 21st at CHEVERUS, December 23rd SOUTH PORTLAND, January 12th at Oxford Hills, January 30th at OXFORD HILLS, February 8th at Cheverus
Coach's comment: “We find our footing. We will play faster than before. We have a lot of athleticism and length. Baleria is doing good work for us. We just have to work on finding points. The league looks a little more open than in recent years. With our experienced leadership, we should be in a better position this year. We just want to stay competitive.”
The meteorologist's forecast: Portland will play a style that will suit many teams in the coming weeks. If the Bulldogs can generate some offense, they can climb up the standings.
Senior Emma Shaw will make some noise upfront this season.
Yugu was an honorable mention All-Star last winter, averaging 8.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.6 steals per game and leads the team at the point guard position. Tidd (5.8 ppg), senior Willa Morales and sophomore Lili McCullum are other guards to keep an eye on. Up front, Shaw (an honorable mention All-Star last season after averaging 4.7 points), Alaari (5.3 rebounds per game in 2022-23) and McCrum (4.9 rebounds per game) will be the difference makers.
Portland's biggest strength will be its ability to move up and down the floor. The open question is whether the Bulldogs can put the ball in the basket. When the offense hits, make sure this group is competitive with everyone and is a team no one wants to play against in the tournament.
bOYS' HOCKEY (cooperation with Deering and South Portland)
Portland junior Lucas Milliken will be one of the top scorers this season.
Trainer: Joe Robinson (17th year, 146-143-12 overall record) and Jeff Beaney (eighth year, 48-64-3 overall record)
Balance sheet 2022-23: 12-9 (lost 5-3 to Thornton Academy in Class A state final)
Top returning player: Tobey Lappin (Senior), Jackson McArthur (Senior), Ben Palson (Senior), Parker Sipos (Senior), Hewitt Sykes (Senior), Daniel Fitzgibbon (Junior), Ian House (Junior)
Decisive games: December 9th @ Scarborough, December 14th FALMOUTH, January 4th @ Falmouth, January 6th LEWISTON, January 10th @ Edward Little, January 31st @ Thornton Academy, February 8th SCARBOROUGH,
Comment from Coach Robinson: “The kids are great. They get along really well. Its a lot to do. The returning boys are thrilled after last year. There's not a lot of depth, but the core we have is good. We may start slow, but we'll play the long game. I think we will be competitive. We are definitely a playoff team.”
Comment from Coach Beaney: “South Portland has had a very exciting year and (Portland/Deering) has players who have played a lot. We have a tough schedule, but as we become more familiar with each other, we become more consistent.”
The meteorologist's forecast: The Portland/Deering co-op joins South Portland's highly successful squad this season, a year after the Red Riots (who also had players from Freeport and Waynflete) appeared in their first-ever state game. Even though they didn't make it, it was a big step for the program, and now the inclusion of Deering and Portland kids who didn't get to play varsity in the 2022-23 season may make for an even better squad lead, as is now known as the Beacons.
The top returnee is Lappin from South Portland, who made the all-state team last winter. Lappin is a top forward and has plenty of company when it comes to putting the puck in the net. He will be joined by Fitzgibbon, Palson and South Portland freshman Michael McMains, as well as Deering senior Connor Green, Portland senior Hunter Temple and junior Lucas Milliken, and senior Henry Cossaboom, who attends Casco Bay High School. Defensively, the Beacons feature House, McArthur, Sipos and Sykes from South Portland, as well as Portland sophomore Jack O'Connell and freshman Jackson Nalli. South Portland junior Michael Zaccaria will start in goal and should be very strong as the last line of defense.
The Beacons face a challenging schedule and could struggle at times early in the year, but with all this talent on the roster, it's only a matter of time before the team comes together. This group hopes to do their best in February and March, and that goal is achievable.
GIRLS HOCKEY (cooperative with Cape Elizabeth, South Portland and Waynflete)
Portland junior Jane Flynn will be one of the state's top scorers this season.
Trainer: Bob Mills (12th year, 105-91-8 overall record)
Balance sheet 2022-23: 11-8 (loss, 4-3, in overtime, to Gorham in the South Region quarterfinals)
Top returning player: Becca Good (Senior), Erin Winship (Senior), Marina Bassett (Junior), Jane Flynn (Junior), Libby Hooper (Junior), Hartson Mosunic (Junior)
Decisive games: December 14th CHEVERUS, December 23rd @ Penobscot, January 11th GORHAM, January 18th PENOBSCOT, January 25th @ Cheverus, January 27th @ Gorham, February 3rd YARMOUTH/FREEPORT
Coach's comment: “We have a quality group of returning starters and a deeper bench than in the past. If we stay healthy we should be very competitive. Our goal is to play well into the playoffs.”
The forecaster's forecast: One of the most successful co-op teams ever will get even stronger this winter as Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/South Portland also adds some talented players from Portland. The team now known as the Beacons is already off to a bright 4-0 start, defeating Greely, Winslow, Yarmouth/Freeport and York by a combined margin of 33-14, and the best is yet to come.
The offense will be productive thanks to South Portland's Bassett (30 goals and 19 assists during an all-state season last winter) and Portland's Flynn (37 goals during an all-state season). Cape Elizabeth's Hooper (14 goals, 11 assists) and Waynflete's Good (3 goals, 4 assists) are other top threats. Cape Elizabeth senior Evelyn Agrodnia, the soccer standout and former figure skater extraordinaire, is new to hockey but also wants to make an impact. Flynn is technically a defenseman and, along with Cape Elizabeth's Mosunic (4 goals, 4 assists last season) and Waynflete freshman Alexis Turner, will help shut down the opposition. Portland's Winship will be strong in goal.
The Beacons are ready to do great things. Like everyone else, they are in the hunt for defending state champion Cheverus, but at the end of the season there may be no one better than this collection of talent.
Sports editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at [email protected]. For game updates and links to game stories, follow him on Threads: @foresports2023
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