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Evan Anastas, York senior midfielder: The Varsity Maine Player of the Year, Anastas tallied 45 goals and 30 assists while being one of the most marked players in Class B. He was a key contributor to the Wildcats reaching three consecutive Class B finals, including a state title in 2022. For his career, Anastas tallied 240 points (153 goals, 87 assists). A three-time All-State pick, a three-time Western Maine Conference all-star and a two-time USA Lacrosse All-American, Anastas will continue his career at NCAA Division I Bryant University in Rhode Island.

Indi Backman, Falmouth senior defender: A multi-time All-State selection who has long been considered one of the top defenders in the state, Backman was the leader in the back for a team that allowed 4.3 goals per game. A four-time SMAA all-conference selection and two-time All-American, Backman will play NCAA Division I lacrosse at Merrimack College.

 

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Hayden Davis, Falmouth junior midfielder: Davis, a multi-time All-State pick, stood out on a team full of offensive standouts (the Navigators averaged 18.3 goals per game) by notching 47 goals and 49 assists. The three-time SMAA all-conference selection and two-time All-American has already committed to Lafayette College, an NCAA Division I school in Pennsylvania.

 

Jack DeLeo, Thornton Academy senior midfielder: An All-America selection, DeLeo had a strong finish to his high school career, notching 45 goals, 19 assists and 36 ground balls. A two-way midfielder who scores with both hands, DeLeo netted two goals in the Class A state final, helping the Golden Trojans take down previously undefeated Falmouth for the state title. He’ll join Falmouth’s Indi Backman at Merrimack College next season.

 

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Gio Guerrette, Falmouth senior midfielder: A repeat All-State pick and three-time All-America selection, Guerrette had a near-identical output this spring as he did in 2024, scoring 55 goals while adding 17 assists, as the Navigators made their way to the Class A final. The 2024 SMAA Player of the Year will continue his career at Quinnipiac, an NCAA Division I program.

 

Joey Guerrette, Falmouth senior midfielder: Guerrette nearly matched his brother in production, as well as postseason honors. He scored 54 goals and had 15 assists for a Falmouth team that went 16-1 this season. A repeat All-State selection — as well as a three-time SMAA all-conference pick and two-time All-American — he will play at UMass next season.

 

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Grady Hersey, Thornton Academy junior defender/long-stick midfielder: The top defender for the Class A state champion, Hersey had 110 ground balls and 49 caused turnovers this season. In the Class A final, Hersey tallied a goal and eight ground balls, and caused five turnovers. He was also given the responsibility of being Thornton’s faceoff man during the state final, and won 7 of 15 draws against a Falmouth team that rarely lost faceoffs.

 

 

Ward Jenkins, Yarmouth senior defender: One of the top defenders in the state, the multi-time All-State pick proved a physical force for the Class B champions. Jenkins had 44 ground balls and 34 caused turnovers, both increases over his junior season, as he led a defense that allowed 4.5 goals per game. Also a multi-time All-American and WMC first-team selection, Jenkins will continue his career at Virginia Military Institute, an NCAA Division I program.

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Peter Kearns, Falmouth junior midfielder: Kearns, the SMAA Player of the Year and an All-America selection, scored 16 goals and had two assists. His real value, however, came on faceoffs, where he had an 88% rate during the season, helping set up an offense that averaged 18.3 goals per game.

 

 

Beckett Mehlhorn, South Portland senior attack: A multi-time All-State pick, Mehlhorn was the top scorer for the Red Riots all four seasons of his career. This spring, he tallied 56 goals while adding 13 assists. He finished as the school’s all-time leading goal scorer (202). The two-time All-American and SMAA first-team pick will continue his career at Bentley University, an NCAA Division II program.

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Ryan Parent, Messalonskee senior attack: The KVAC Class B Player of the Year was an offensive force, scoring 63 goals and adding 22 assists against a heavy southern Maine schedule, including multiple games against eventual Class B champion Yarmouth. A two-time KVAC Class B first-team pick, Parent will play at Maine Maritime Academy.

 

Will Redfield, Yarmouth junior goalie: At a position where the odds of making a save are low, Redfield was as close to automatic as it comes for the Class B champions. Redfield earned All-America status by posting a save percentage of 70 percent, making him a huge asset for a defense that allowed 4.5 goals per game. A Western Maine Conference first-team pick, Redfield has committed to Division III Union College in New York after he graduates.

 

Coach of the Year

Ryan Hersey, Thornton Academy: Hersey has led the Golden Trojans to all three of their Class A titles since taking over the program in 2010. And interestingly, all three — 2018, 2019 and 2025 — have come with wins over Falmouth. But this year’s championship may have been the sweetest for Thornton Academy, which beat the touted Navigators 8-6 in a thriller on June 21. Thornton lost both regular-season matchups — by scores of 19-7 and 19-6 — but found a way to snap Falmouth’s 28-game winning streak in the state final. The Golden Trojans finished the season 14-3.

Dave Dyer is in his second stint with the Kennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel. Dave was previously with the company from 2012-2015 and returned in late 2016. He spent most of 2016 doing freelance sports...

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