Scarborough native J.P. Estrella has earned a spot in the starting lineup with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team, but it hasn’t changed his approach.

“No, I mean it’s great, it’s awesome, but if I (were) on the bench, I would be doing what I am doing,” Estrella told reporters after the Volunteers’ 86-85 win over Georgia on Wednesday. “I love this team, and I will do anything I can to win.”

A 6-foot-11, 240-pound forward, Estrella has started Tennessee’s last three games. He had six points and five rebounds in a 79-73 win over No. 23 Alabama on Jan. 24, then posted 17 points and nine rebounds against Georgia. He scored eight points in Saturday’s 77-69 win over Auburn.

“Again, he came up big when he goes up with two hands,” Tennessee coach Rick Barnes told reporters after the Georgia game. “He has missed a lot of basketball, but I am very happy with him because he’s doing the things we need him to do.”

Estrella, a redshirt sophomore, led South Portland to the Class AA state championship in 2022. He played his senior season at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire.

After playing 25 games for Tennessee as a freshman, Estrella missed all but five games in 2024-25 because of a left foot injury. He missed a game in November this season because of a left knee injury.

He is averaging 9.0 points and 4.5 rebounds in 19 games this season.

“Finally starting to get in a groove, my foot, my knee is feeling good — knock on wood — I am extremely happy playing basketball with my guys,” Estrella said. “I am loving every second of it.”

The Volunteers are 15-6 overall, 5-3 in Southeastern Conference play.

Maine women’s basketball teams excel on defense

Six of Maine’s Division III women’s basketball teams were ranked in the top 30 in points per game through Thursday’s games.

Bowdoin was eighth in the country, allowing 48.8 points, while Maine Maritime was 17th (50.9). They will face off at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Castine. UMaine-Farmington was 22nd (51.5), Southern Maine was 27th (51.9), and Thomas and Colby were tied for 28th (52.1).

Bowdoin and Colby were the only two Maine schools in the top 30 in defensive rebounds per game. The Polar Bears (29.72) were 16th, while the Mules (29.67) were 18th.

Preseason lacrosse All-Americans

Several athletes with ties to Maine were recently named to the USA Lacrosse Magazine’s Division III preseason All-America teams.

Yarmouth’s Camden Miller, a junior on the Stevenson University men’s team in Maryland, was named a second-team defenseman. He had two goals and five assists in 20 games last season for the Mustangs, who went 14-6 and lost in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament.

Rory Keverline, a senior on the Christopher Newport University men’s team in Virginia, was named an honorable mention as a short-stick defensive midfielder.

Bowdoin defenseman Jack Pyne was named to the first team, while teammate and attacker Casey Ryan was chosen to the second team. Midfielder Chris Berry is an honorable mention selection.

Miles Schmidt of Bates is a third-team faceoff specialist.

Defender Izzy Wang of the Colby women’s team was named to the first team, while attacker Tate Ban and defender Gisele Uva were named honorable mentions.