Third-year coach Tanner Grover says, in order for his 2013-2014 Lady Seahawks varsity basketball team to have success on the court, “we must play together and establish our own pace.”

Grover said last year's team knew where the ball was going, mostly into the hands of three players who graduated in June: Sarah Caron, Alex Clarke and Allison Crocker.

“This year's group of players has a lot of potential,” Grover said. “We have some good athletes and our defense will keep us in a lot of games.”

Grover will use 11 of the 16 players in the program on the varsity, with three of the 11 seeing time in the junior varsity line-up.

Grover outlined the positives of each varsity player:

Brooke Alley: A 5'2” senior captain, we are looking for Brooke to provide leadership. She attacks the basket well on offense and can score from outside as well. She will play guard.

Morgan Crocker: Morgan, a 5'5” junior, is our most explosive player. She will be called upon to carry our offensive load. She's a team player and a great one-on-one defender. We're fortunate to have her.

Sara Durgan: Sarah, a 5'3” junior, was a varsity contributor last season. She's a vocal leader and a good three-point shooter. She will help bring the ball up court against defensive pressure and play an off-guard position.

Ashley Reed: Ashley is a 5'4” junior and will play point guard in spots. She is a positive player who works hard for team success.

Olivia Zaragozi: Olivia is a 5'7” sophomore exchange student from Spain. This is her first year of organized basketball. She is a fine athlete and I see her minutes increasing as the season goes on. She will also play on the junior varsity team.

Hannah Morley: Hannah, a 5'6” sophomore, played every game at point guard last year. This year she will play off-guard more because we'll need her scoring. She has a great understanding of the game and will do whatever it takes to win.

Nicole Rice: Nicole is a 5’6” sophomore. She is a physical player and she will be called upon to defend the other team's scorer. She is a capable shooter, inside and outside. She will also be playing with the junior varsity.

Kate Friant: Kate is one of four freshmen on the team. She is 5'7” and will play point guard and off guard. She shows the poise of a senior, communicating well on the court despite her age.

Cagney O'Brien: Cagney, a 5'9” freshman, will make the adjustment from playing out on the perimeter in elementary school to playing the post this season. She is a physical player who can also step out of the post for a mid-range shot.

Nicole Clarke: Nicole, a freshman, is the team's tallest player at 5'10” and will be asked to cover the opposition's post player at times. She is a good defender and rebounder and as the season goes on, her game will improve.

Alexis Welch: Alexis is a 5'9” freshman who is a good low post scorer. She also has a good mid-range shot. She has to adjust to the speed of the varsity game and once she does, she will come into her own offensively. She is coming off a torn ACL injury and will play on the junior varsity team.

Besides the three swing players, the junior varsity team will also include sophomore Genevieve Taylor and freshmen Mackenzie Abbott, Angelique Perkins, Victoria Rackliff and Elisabeth Wright.

The junior varsity will be coached by Matt Brewer, a 2003 graduate of Wiscasset High School.

“Matt, even though he's in enemy territory, is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the game,” Grover said. “It's his first coaching job and we're lucky to have him.”

Madison, Carrabec, Spruce Mountain and Dirigo will be the top foes in the Mountain Valley Conference this season, said Grover.

“I'm excited to open the season against Dirigo,” said Grover. “It will be a good test for us.”

As for the Western Conference Class C teams, Grover said, “No one is sad to see (Waynflete's) Martha Veroneau graduate!”

One wild card in Class C, said Grover, will Maranacook, who moved down from Class B.

“They have a very good team. They may not be at the top of the rankings in February but I wouldn't want to play them come tournament time.”

Grover will be assisted by Brian Blethen, Michael Leighton and his mother, Trish Grover.

He urges Seahawk Nation to come out to Porter Memorial Gymnasium to cheer on this year's Lady Seahawks squad.