DANFORTH, Maine — Veteran basketball coach Mike Carlos has slowly, but surely turned the East Grand girls into a playoff contender in each of the past two seasons.
Look for that trend to continue this year as well, as East Grand could be one of the surprise squads in Class D North. Now in his sixth year with East Grand, and a veteran of both high school and collegiate coaching, Carlos is optimistic for his team’s prospects this season.
“Our team outlook is to develop into a competitive team that goes out and competes hard every night,” coach Carlos said. “If we could make the playoffs, it would be a successful season for us.”
Last year, East Grand finished 10-8 in the regular season and earned the 10th, and final, playoff spot in Class D North. The Vikings drew a tough matchup that required travelling to No. 7 Ashland for a preliminary playoff contest that they lost 56-38.
Again this year, the Vikings will have one of the smaller squads in terms of numbers, with just eight players currently on the team. Thankfully, there are three starters returning from last year’s team, who should provide some much needed veteran leadership.
Members of the East Grand squad are: senior Haleigh Shay; juniors Mallory Gilman; sophomores Jordyn Cowger, Erika Napoli and Cassi Stoddard; and freshmen Natalie Golding, Madisyn Oliver and Faith Lindsey.
“Depth will be an issue for us,” coach Carlos said.
Shay, a five-year starter for East Grand because she began play as an eighth-grader, will be asked to fill a bigger role in the offense this season. “Haleigh is a threat both inside and out,” Carlos said.
Gilman is another returning starter and standing nearly 6-feet tall, she will be the key to East Grand’s low post game. “Mallory has steadily improved each of the last two years and is ready to explode onto the scene,” the coach said.
Cowger has started as the point guard for the past three seasons, beginning as an eighth-grader. “Jordyn offers the team leadership and a nice shot,” Carlos said.
The Vikings also will start two freshman, Lindsay and Golding. “As with all freshmen, there are a lot of unknowns,” the coach said.
The Vikings lost two players to graduation, Sarah Stoddard and Sami Dube. Stoddard was the focal point for the team offensively, standing at 6-feet tall, while Dube was a scrappy defender for East Grand.
