Call it a fairly safe bet that Oxford Hills will be at or near the top of Class AA again this season. The question that remains is whether or not the Vikings can win the region and make it back to the state championship, and perhaps even win the school’s first basketball title.

Underclassmen such as sophomore point guard Julia Colby (11.4 ppg) and junior post Jadah Adams (10.8 ppg, 7 rpg stepped into major roles as Oxford Hills reached its third state title game in the past 10 years.

Also back is junior Maighread Laliberte (9.4 ppg), a versatile forward who was a mainstay in last season’s starting lineup, and sophomore Cecelia Dieterich saw a lot of action despite playing behind the graduated Erin Morton last year.

The roles around those four will be filled by varsity newcomers.

“We definitely have the talent to be really good, but we’re just sort of in that phase right now where some kids are learning to play varsity,” coach Nate Pelletier said.

There is a lot of potential for versatility. Pelletier said that he has options for playing either big or small.

Pelletier seems excited to see what this team can become February as several players gain further experience in December and January.

“At times it’s going to look pretty bad and at times it’s going to look amazing,” Pelletier said. “It’s just trying to get us to play the best basketball during the playoffs.”

Coach: Nate Pelletier (13th season)

Conference: KVAC; Class: AA North

Last year’s results: 19-2 (lost in state championship)

Returning athletes: Seniors — Maighread Laliberte, Emmy Corbett; Junior — Jadah Adams; Sophomores — Julia Colby, Cecelia Dieterich.

Key losses: Erin Morton, Erin Eastman, Hannah Kenney, Sophia Hansom, Krystin Paine, Emma Davidson, Anna Piirainen.

Promising newcomers: Juniors — Bailey Whitney, Emily Wallace; Sophomores — Maggie Hartnett, Jade Smedberg, Brooke Carson; Freshmen — Cassidy Dumont, Viktoria Sugars.

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