DANFORTH, Maine — The East Grand LadyVikings are in a rebuilding process with their girls program under coach Mike Carlos.
Last year, they were 4-15, which earned them a playoff spot where they faced Van Buren and Parise Rossignol. The No. 14 Lady Vikings were overpowered 84-28.
This year, the Lady Vikings will be looking for their third straight playoff appearance.
“We didn’t lose any players to graduation last year so everyone is back,” said Carlos.
The East Grand girls will rely on their three seniors — 5-foot, 8-inch Chelsea Winiarski, 5-8 Allie McEwen and 5-5 Adrianne Phillips — along with Kim Stoddard, a 5-7 junior and Sarah Stoddard, a 5-8 sophomore.
“Allie and Chelsea are starting to become the team leaders,” said Carlos. “Sarah and Kim are becoming comfortable in their roles and are handling them well.
“Last year when we needed a defensive push we played Adrianna and she has gotten stronger with the ball and more aggressive defensively. These are things we look to capitalize on,” he added.
The team has one sophomore in Emili Russell who is 5-5; two freshmen, Haleigh Shay, 5-5, and Sammi Dube, 5-3; and two eighth-graders Mallory Gilman, and Chloe Crone, who are both 5-5.
“Although Haliegh is a freshman, this is her second year on varsity and she is starting to mature as a basketball player,” Carlos noted.
“Our success is dependent on the development of role players,” Carlos explained. “If one or two of them can develop enough over the season to play a role then I like our chances; if not it will be difficult.”
The East Grand girls’ goal is to win a home playoff game and to make their way to Bangor.
“Our biggest strength is the number of years the girls have been playing together and getting to know each other,” said Carlos. “I believe our basketball IQ has improved and the girls are feeling good about themselves.”
Areas of improvement for the Lady Vikings will be in the execution of assignment, team defense and ability to score when open.
“Unfortunately for our developing program every team we face is competitive and a must win for us,” said Carlos.
Teams that will test East Grand’s mettle are Washburn, Fort Fairfield, PVHS, Ashland, Machias and Shead. Central Aroostook and Easton have gotten better. Then there is Stearns and Deer Isle.
Helping the team this year are Jackie Jones, Tammi Matula and possibly Tony Coldwell.
