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We have officially reached that time of the year: The Maine high school basketball tournament.
The girls tournament promises to be a slugfest in multiple classes, highlighted by players ready to step up on the state’s biggest stage.
Who will those players be? Here is a list of 15 we believe will make an impact during the tournament.
Julianna Allen, Mt. Ararat: A Miss Maine Basketball semifinalist, Allen has been a major reason why the Eagles are the No. 1 seed and best all-around group in Class A North. A senior, Allen is averaging 10.5 points and 3.1 steals per game.
Olivia Breen, Oceanside: The heralded freshman has been terrific in leading the Mariners to a 17-1 record and B South’s second seed. She was averaging 26.2 points and 10.8 rebounds through Oceanside’s first 16 games, and can dominate inside or hit shots further from the basket if given space.
Elizabeth Galway, Edward Little: Only a sophomore, Galway is the leading scorer for a team that enters the A North tournament as the No. 4 seed (14-4). She’s averaging nearly a double-double, at 14.2 points and 9.9 rebounds.
Bryn Gilmore, Gray-New Gloucester: The freshman has become the offensive leader for Class B South’s No. 1 seed, averaging 16.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.4 steals. Gray-New Gloucester is deep but will need its first-year star to show poise on the tournament’s big stage.
Liana Hartwell, Valley: As a freshman, Hartwell was one of the major cogs for a team that won its first state championship (in Class D) a year ago. As a sophomore, Hartwell has been a leader for Valley (18-1), which has slashed through the competition in the new Class S.
Dalaney Horr, Bangor: The senior enters the A North tournament as one of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference’s top scorers, averaging 15 points. She also led the conference in 3-pointers.
Kylie Lamson, Cheverus: At 20.2 points per game, the Miss Maine Basketball semifinalist led A South in scoring and is the region’s most prolific offensive threat. She can score from outside and has the ball-handling skills to shake tight defenders.

Thea Laukka, Camden Hills: Laukka, a junior, has been a consistent presence for the Windjammers, who enter the A North playoffs as the No. 3 seed (15-3). She’s among the top scorers in KVAC A (14.8 ppg) and leads the conference in steals (5.4 per game).
Natasha McDonald, Spruce Mountain: The junior has been a threat on both ends of the floor for the No. 1 seed in Class C South. She averaged 18 points during the regular season while also notching four rebounds and four steals per contest.
Maddie Provost, Lawrence: A Miss Maine Basketball semifinalist, the Holy Cross-bound senior has been one of the best players in Maine for multiple seasons. She was among the leaders in the KVAC in points per game (28.4) and 3-pointers made, and is also averaging 7.8 rebounds, leading the Bulldogs to a 13-5 record and the No. 3 seed in B North.
Mollie Puffer, Sanford: In her sophomore season, Puffer has turned into an all-around player for the Spartans, the second seed in A South. She averaged 17.7 points and 9.3 rebounds, and has become a player who can create shots from mid-range and deep.
Alexa Quintana, Gardiner: A freshman, Quintana’s skills are raw, but the potential is undeniable. The 6-foot-3 forward is one of the top rebounders in KVAC B (9.9 per game) and uses her height to her advantage in the post. She should be a factor for No. 1 Gardiner (17-1) in the B North tournament.
Ashley Shores, Lawrence: Shores, a senior, would be the top scorer on almost any team but is on the same squad as one of the state’s best scorers in Maddie Provost. Instead, Shores is one of the state’s best No. 2s, averaging 16.8 points and 6.9 rebounds.

Natalia Silva, Biddeford: The sophomore was third in A South in scoring (16 points per game), and she has a knack for raising her game in pressure moments. She has cold stretches from the field, but if she misses shots early, there’s a good chance she’ll make them late.
Annie Whitmore, South Portland: The Red Riots’ point guard can score 20 points in a game and was A South’s assists leader (4.2 per game), but she’s also a smart and tenacious defender who can limit the opponent’s top threat, and an experienced ball-handler under pressure.
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