Falcons boys' hoop preview

RUMFORD -- After achieving a degree of success last year, the Mountain Valley boys' basketball team will be a different edition comprised of new personnel with new challenges.

The journey began fairly well, considering several players were coming off a football state championship, so it delayed preseason drills. Still, the players were very upbeat and worked hard.

“We have not put everything in fully,” said coach Rick White, who felt confident the team would be ready for their season opener at Madison. They had scrimmages against Edward Little (lost by 14), beat St. Dom's by 42 and Leavitt.

“We are looking to play an up tempo offense with a very tight man-to-man defense,” said White. “We will run a variety of offenses and defenses. Defensively, we will pick up full court, three quarter court and half court.”

Last year, MV was 20-1, going unbeaten in the regular season winning the MVC Championship.

The returning lettermen include Cameron Kaubris (6-0 senior guard), leading scorer at 16.1 per game; Izaak Mills (5-10 junior guard/forward) at 7.3 ppg; Zachary Radcliffe (5-7 junior guard), Jacob Theriault (6-0 so. guard) and Ryan Nicols (5-9 so. guard).

Graduation claimed Jacob Arsenault, Chris Day, Jonathan Benjamin, Adam Bedard, Derek Volkernick, Cole Clark, Brady Fergola and Ryan Laubauskas. MV utilized the Grinnell System last year.

Newcomers include Adam Volkernick (5-6 so. guard), Cote Blanchard (5-10 sr. guard), Isaac Roberts (6-1 jr. forward), Andrew Child (5-10 junior guard), Brandon Milligan (5-9 sr. guard), Justin Carter (6-5 sr. center) and Hanson Gorham (6-5 sr. center)

“We are looking to continue the strong tradition that Mountain Valley has always had as a strong defensive team,” said White. “We feel that we can use a variety of lineups to change the pace as we need.

As the season goes on, we feel the bench will develop and give us the depth that we need to play the uptempo style that we want to play.”

Expectations remain high for MV, who will compete in each game, work to improve and make a run at the end of the year.

“Our goal is to make noise once we get into the playoffs,” said White. “We do not just want to get into the playoffs; we want to play for a championship. With the senior leadership on this team and last year's leading scorer coming back, we feel that we can compete with each team in our league and in Western Maine B.”

White feels MV, Madison, Jay, Livermore Falls and Dirigo will have a shot at being the top team.