The new year has arrived, and the girls basketball season is ramping up. Enough games have been played that the true contenders have started to separate themselves, hot starts for some teams have worn off, and races for seeding are starting to take form.

Here are five storylines we think stand out this week.

Greely returns to the front of the pack

Not too long ago, Greely was one of the state’s dominant forces. From 2014-15 to 2021-22, the Rangers won three state titles (two in Class A, one in B) and made the regional final each season.

Then came leaner seasons, as Greely made the A South playoffs each year but went a combined 24-34, finishing each season below .500.

This year, however, the Rangers have a new home in Class B after the Maine Principals’ Association’s offseason realignment, and they’ve looked like the Rangers of old, jumping out to a 7-1 start.

The question now is whether Greely can keep it up. The Rangers scored a close win over fellow B South challenger York and were a point away from taking down Class A Brunswick, but these next two weeks will be a challenge, including games against Class A Lewiston on Tuesday, Lake Region on Thursday and undefeated Gray-New Gloucester on Jan. 13.

Westbrook looking to stay near the top

The top of Class A South has panned out as expected, with Cheverus, South Portland, Biddeford and Sanford looking strong againg after good seasons in 2024-25.

The No. 5 team in the Heal point standings has been something of a surprise, however. Westbrook began the week at 5-2, one season after sneaking into the Class A South tournament as the eighth and final seed. The Blue Blazes have notched some quality wins, beating Windham and Gorham in back-to-back games, and their only losses were against Cheverus and South Portland.

The strong start hasn’t come out of nowhere. Coach John Young’s rebuilding effort has resulted in tournament berths two of the last three seasons after the team had no winning seasons from 2008 to 2022, and the Blue Blazes had eventual state champion Mt. Ararat on the ropes in the quarterfinals last year.

Westbrook next test is Tuesday night against Sanford. The Blazes play at Biddeford on Jan. 13.

Possible playoff preview in Class C

A bunch of Heal points will be on the line when Spruce Mountain and Wells play Friday night.

The Phoenix, who improved to 9-0 with a 42-30 win Monday over Maranacook, have been dominant, winning all but one of their games by double digits. They’ve been a fixture in the postseason in recent years, reaching the Class B South semifinals last year and the regional title game both years before that.

Natasha McDonald (21 points, five rebounds, three steals per game entering the week) and Maddie Grimaldi (20.5 points, eight rebounds) have been the leading scorers for Spruce Mountain, while sophomore Lily Bellerose has added 14 points and seven steals per contest.

Wells entered Tuesday with a 5-2 record but is looking for a statement victory to validate its strong start. Four of the Warriors’ five wins have come against teams .500 or below, as have their two losses. Like Spruce Mountain, Wells was a tournament regular in Class B before moving to Class C this season, having earned a fifth seed or higher each of the past five seasons.

… and another in Class B

Another tilt with big Heal point ramifications will take place Friday in Hermon, where the Hawks will host Gardiner.

Both teams are sitting high in the B North standings, and both have been tested. Gardiner (8-0) moved to third after a victory over Erskine Academy on Monday and has triumphs over Cony and Brunswick in what’s been its strongest showing since making the A North final in Lizzy Gruber’s final year in 2023.

Hermon, which has been fighting through mediocrity since winning the B North title in 2022, began the week in fourth place at 5-3 but has already earned wins over 7-1 Foxcroft Academy and 6-2 Old Town. The Hawks’ three losses have come against teams with a combined record of 19-7.

Can Cheverus be slowed in A South?

Class A South was supposed to be a wide-open race, with three defending regional champions leading the field, but Cheverus has established itself as the pace setter.

Since rallying to beat South Portland in the season opener, the Stags (8-0) have steamrolled their opponents by an average of 33.9 points. They lead the region in scoring (64.6 points per game) and are third in defense (36.3), led by Miss Maine Basketball hopeful Kylie Lamson (24 points per game).

This week will provide the Stags with an endurance test. They have three games in five days, against Gorham on Tuesday, Bonny Eagle on Thursday and Marshwood on Saturday. Can they continue to look invincible?