As the Maine High School Girls’ basketball season tips off Friday night, Boothbay coach Bruce Orne has a young roster, but one with more experience than in his previous two years. Last year, the Lady Seahawks finished 3-15 with only one senior. The team enters this season, again, with one senior, but Orne has coached many of his current roster for a couple seasons. “I’m excited the season is starting,” he said. “We have a core group of returning players and looking to pick up where we left off last season.”

Captain Meg Sledge is the team’s only returning senior. “Meg is a worker,” Orne said. “She works hard every day and never complains. She hustles. She’s a leader.” Orne also described her as doing many things well and keeping everybody else in tune.

Boothbay’s five juniors are expected to play a significant role in the team’s success this season. Magen Burge is expected to play either point- or shooting guard. “She has shown steady improvement in her ball handling and shooting. She works hard and has a good attitude,” Orne said. Maddie Orchard has been on varsity since her freshman year. She is a guard. “She works hard and never quits. She doesn’t get frustrated and is very poised on the court.” Anna Gosselin is a forward. “Anna is the most fundamentally sound player we have. She is also a good shooter,” Orne said. Bella Orr is a newcomer this season. The junior played for Wiscasset last season. “She is a good ballhandler and shooter. Bella will play both guard positions,” he said. 

Ivory Cody is a forward. “She is a hard worker and has a good attitude,” he said. 

Sophomores include Sophie White, Abby Orchard and Tatum French. All were team members last season and play guard. 

“Abbie is a scrappy player who is not intimidated by taller players,” he said.

French is an athletic player who is battling several other players for a starting position. 

Orne said White’s greatest attribute to the team is her versality. "She is a great utility player for us. Sophie is athletic and play anywhere we put her," he said.

“Right now, we have Meg as a starter. We have a good mix of players and I won’t know who else starts until the first game,” Orne said.

Besides Orr, the Lady Seahawks had three more additions. Lily Nein is a junior who hasn’t played high school basketball. Orne likes her shooting and ballhandling skills. “For someone who hasn’t played before, she is picking up the game very quickly,” he said. Sarah Kreft has impressed Orne with her desire. “She is relatively new to basketball. She has a solid foundation of fundamentals and works hard every day in practice,” Orne said. Freshman Nerla Laventure is a strong athlete. “She is a good defender, and she will definitely help us on the defensive end this season,” he said.

Orne said his team will be a strong defensive unit. The challenge is finding a consistent scorer from the perimeter and low-post. The Lady Seahawks host Winthrop at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9.

This article has been updated from its original posting.