A year ago, the Spruce Mountain boys’ basketball faced a new schedule in a new conference with a new coach. The new look of Maine high school basketball sees the Phoenix flying into another vastly different, interconference slate this winter, with mostly a new team on the floor.

Spruce Mountain sent a trio of three-year starters — Deonte Ring, Peter Theriault and Anthony York — to the college game, and also graduated sixth man Tyler Kachnovich. The Phoenix expect to be just as athletic and competitive this season, however. They expect to be more balanced and a better shooting team overall.

Once again, Spruce will favor an up-tempo style, led by the Darling brothers, Andrew and Austin, and Caulin Parker. James Ouellette, fully recovered from his second knee reconstruction after being injured last January, will be an enforcer inside. Noah Preble leads a group on the wing that will be unafraid to launch the 3-point shot.

Four rivalry games with Maranacook and Leavitt remain intact, but Spruce Mountain, which moved from the MVC to KVAC two years ago, will branch out against several WMC opponents this winter. The Phoenix also meet Class A neighbor Mt. Blue for the first time in regular-season play.