No one needs to remind the Mountain Valley Falcons that almost doesn’t count in basketball. Seven of the their 11 losses last year were by six points or less. Those near-misses became even more painful when they came up shy of a berth in the tournament by one spot.

The Falcons have several good reasons to believe they will get over the hump this season, and perhaps even be a factor in B South at tournament time. Chief among them is the maturation of a large, talented junior class featuring leading scorer Keegan Davis (14.5 ppg) and guard Jacob Blanchard.

“I’m looking for multiple kids in that junior class to take a leadership role this year,” Falcons coach Tom Danylik said. “This is their time and they can steer this team where they want it to go.”

Mountain Valley also boasts exceptional depth, bolstered further by the additions of junior transfer Colby Parent from Messalonskee and 6-foot-5 freshman Cooper Davis, Keegan’s brother. 

“I’m very excited about our depth,” Danylik said. “One-through-13, I feel comfortable with all of them being on the floor.”

Coach: Tom Danylik (sixth year)

Conference: MVC; Class: B South

Last year’s results: 7-11

Returning players: Senior —Hunter Ames (6-1 forward), Mike Pare (5-10 guard); Juniors — Jacob Blanchard (5-11 guard), Will Sorensen (6-1 guard), Keegan Davis (6-3 forward), Will Bean (6-0 forward), Taylor Pelletier (6-0 guard) Cam Godbois (6-3 forward); Sophomore — Dylan Desroches (5-10 guard).

Key losses: Zach Duguay, Zack Burgess, Parker Davis.

Promising newcomers: Juniors — Draven Finnegan (6-3 forward), Ethan Laubauskas (5-10 guard), Colby Parent (6-0 forward).