Gorham’s Vanessa Walker puts up a shot over Marley Jarvais of Windham during a Jan. 2 game. Walker makes our list as one of 15 girls basketball players across Maine who will impact the state tournament. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald

They go by many names. Difference-makers. Game-changers.

They’re impact players. Not all of them will be huge factors on the stat sheet, but they contribute in under-the-radar ways — such as defense, offensive rebounds, or points off the bench — that can help make the difference between winning and losing.

As the girls basketball tournament arrives, here are 15 players who will impact the games:

Kelsie Dunn, Erskine Academy guard: The Eagles earned the No. 2 seed in Class B North with a well-rounded effort from a young roster. Dunn, a sophomore, has proven to be one of the Eagles’ most consistent players, a threat as both a scorer (14 points per game) and rebounder.

Morgan Fichthorn, Cony forward: Abby Morrill is the Rams’ top scorer, but Fichthorn, a fellow senior, brings more than a veteran presence to the floor. Fichthorn (16.6 ppg) takes pressure off Morrill at the offensive end and also provides strong defense. She led the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference in rebounds, averaging 11.6 per game.

Kyra Fortier, Brunswick guard: The Dragons started 5-1 with a healthy Fortier, fell back when she missed time because of an ankle injury, then scored a big win over Gray-New Gloucester after she came back. Fortier and Eva Harvie provide scoring support for standout Lexi Morin. Fortier averages 3.5 steals per game.

Kyra Fortier boxes out a teammate during a rebounding drill at practice. Cooper Sullivan/The Times Record

Sierra Gibbons, Hall-Dale guard: Gibbons, a junior, took on a bigger role offensively as the team fought through injuries and helped the Bulldogs (15-3) earn the No. 1 seed in Class C South. Though streaky at times, Gibbons has a sweet shot, particularly from beyond the arc.

Lilly Gray, Lawrence forward: No one questions that Maddie Provost drives the Bulldogs’ offense. But Gray, a 6-foot senior, owns the post. Gray has outscored Provost in some games this season and is averaging 14.4 points. She’s also one reason why Lawrence is the state’s best rebounding team, averaging 9.8 boards per game; teammate Nadia Morrison averages 10.5 rebounds.

Maddie Grimaldi, Spruce Mountain guard: Opposing defenses focus on Avery Bessey, a Miss Maine Basketball semifinalist. But Grimaldi, a sophomore, has been consistent and sometimes the leading scorer for the Phoenix (17-1).

Madeline Hill, Valley guard: With their current starting five, the Cavaliers have gone 39-1 the past two seasons, with their only loss coming in last year’s Class D final. Valley has multiple weapons, but it’s Hill, a senior, who’s been the leading scorer and focal point of the offense.

Addie Jordan, Cheverus forward: Kylie Lamson is the star, but Jordan can do a little bit of everything for Cheverus and will have to for the Stags to be in the title picture again. She averaged 9.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, but is a double-double candidate and can run the floor in transition.

Ayla Lagasse, Biddeford guard: Lagasse is the scrappy defender that the Tigers love to have on the court in tight games to hassle top players and generate momentum-changing turnovers. The senior averages 2.1 steals per game and doesn’t need the ball to have an impact.

Natalie Lathrop, Marshwood guard: The second-seeded Hawks have talent and depth but little playoff seasoning, and Lathrop, one of two Marshwood players with tournament experience, will be counted on to step up. If top scorers Sarah Theriault and Isabelle Tice deliver, Lathrop (11 points per game) could put the Hawks over the top.

Kennedy Lampert, Mt. Ararat guard: The senior sometimes comes off the bench for the Eagles but provides reliable ball-handling, poise and floor vision late in games under pressure, as well as a good mid-range shot.

Destiny Peter, South Portland forward: Peter is the best rebounder and inside player for Class AA South’s top seed and will be a key pillar if the Red Riots’ shooting touch deserts them in the cavernous Cross Insurance Arena. She’ll need to avoid foul trouble, which resulted in the junior’s early exits in late-season wins over Cheverus and Gorham.

Renee Ripley, Oceanside guard: A word of caution to Class B South teams: don’t let Ripley get going. Teams made that mistake last year, allowing the junior to hit three 3-pointers in both the regional final and state final. The reigning state champions don’t have the height they did last year, so they’ll look to shoot from outside, and Ripley isn’t a player to leave open. She is averaging 12.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.

Gabbie Tibbetts, Oxford Hills guard: While teammate Ella Pelletier has grabbed the headlines and is a Miss Maine semifinalist, Tibbetts, also a senior, has been a perfect complementary player. She averages 12.8 points per game, seventh-best among AA North players.

Vanessa Walker, Gorham guard: The more active Walker gets on offense and defense, the more the Rams benefit from her effort and hustle plays. Walker can score in double figures, grab eight or nine rebounds or notch three or four steals. Oh, she can knock down a big shot, too.