The girls varsity basketball program at Boothbay Region High School has undergone a change after several years of success.

New head coach Bruce Orne has taken over for Brian Blethen, who left this past spring after four years of coaching the team to one state championship and three playoff losses to eventual state champions.

Orne, who assisted varsity boys basketball coach Dan Hallinan last season, inherits a team with not a lot of experience. The five freshmen on the team did not get to play competitively last season due to the pandemic (one of the freshmen hasn’t played team basketball) and one of the seniors on the roster hasn’t played for at least a couple of years.

“I know we are young but the experienced players have provided a good example so far,” said Orne, who is being assisted by Barbara Carbone-Crocker, a former assistant to Blethen. “I don’t expect a lot but the new players are good athletes and will hopefully adjust to the game.”

Seniors Jaelyn Crocker and her cousin, Emilie Crocker, have the most playing experience and have initially been chosen as captains. Senior Mara Gentry should provide some good guard play after a few years of not playing, said Orne.

The lone junior on the team is Kathryn Hibbard. She is expected to help with scoring and rebounding as a forward alongside center Jaelyn Crocker.

Sophomores include returning veterans Margaret Sledge and Jordan Chamness, and newcomer Kailee Colby.

The five freshmen are Magen Burge, Laura Chapman, Maddie Orchard, Anna Gosselin and Juanita Lawrence.

Junior Emery Lorrain is scorekeeper.

“Having Barbara – Jaelyn’s mother – on the bench has helped with my connection to the girls,” said Orne, who also coached football under BRHS head coach Ed Crocker for four years. “Some have just met me and I am just getting to know them and their basketball experience. It will be a learning experience for all of us.”

The 2021-2022 season kicks off on Saturday, Dec. 11 at home against Mountain Valley at 1 p.m.