10 north boys basketball players to watch this season
WRITTEN BY SAM CANFIELD | special to the BDN
Northern Maine produced many of the top boys basketball stars from last season, including Mr. Basketball Chance Mercier (Ellsworth), Maine Gatorade Player of the Year and two-time state champion Pierce Walston (Orono), Mr. Basketball finalist Zach McLaughlin (Hampden Academy) and Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference MVP Evans Sterling (Mt. Blue). The 2024-25 season will usher in a new set of premier players worth following, and here are ten candidates (two per class) from northern Maine who could be particularly sensational.
NOLAN AMES • Jr., SG, Camden Hills
A member of the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference All-Rookie team two years ago, Ames is now the favorite to win KVAC MVP. Standing at 6-foot-2, Ames is a physical ball handler who loves attacking downhill and can consistently score in the paint. Ames has legitimate explosiveness and a strong midrange game to complement his slashing capabilities, and averaged 16.6 points, 3.4 assists and 2.4 steals per game last year.
JESSE BOOKER • Jr., PF, Bangor Christian
Booker unexpectedly emerged as a top player for Bangor Christian last year, making the D North all-tournament team with his fundamental play on both ends of the floor. Head coach Charlie Colson’s “bear on the boards” standing 6-foot-2, 210-pounds, Booker averaged 10.1 points on 56 percent shooting with 6.2 rebounds last season, and will anchor a defensive-minded Patriot team looking to defend its first ever state title.
EMMITT BYTHER • Sr., PF, Old Town
Byther was the leading scorer and rebounder for the regional finalist Coyotes last year, averaging a 15-point double-double to go with two assists and two steals per game. Elected to the Big East Conference first team, Byther is a skilled 6-foot-5 big with an array of moves to score in and around the paint, and can also serve as a point forward when necessary. Byther will have an even larger role this season and could average close to 20 ppg.
CYRAN CIARLEGLIO • So., SF, Hodgdon
Ciarleglio was one of two freshmen starting for Hodgdon last season, headlining a young and exciting Hawk team with big goals ahead. Ciarleglio can play a variety of positions and consistently stuff the stat sheet, tallying 15.4 points on 65 percent shooting (39 percent from three), 10.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.8 steals and 2.4 blocks per game last year. “Cyran is a package player that produces statistically and can be mixed around. He’s a gym rat,” second-year head coach Sam Henderson said.
MICKEY FITZSIMMONS • Jr., PG, Machias
Fitzsimmons is a long, talented, and creative point guard for the Bulldogs who led the Penobscot Valley Conference (Class C/D) in points and assists for much of last year. The PVC first-teamer finished with averages of 19.6 points, 5.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game, orchestrating the top-ranked offense in Class C North (63.2 points per game). After an early playoff exit last February, Fitzsimmons and company will be playing with something to prove.
WILL FRANCIS • Sr., PF, Orono
Arguably the most athletic player in Class B North, Francis has served as a premier rebounder and defender for Orono’s back-to-back championship teams. With the departure of stars Pierce Walston and Ben Francis this offseason, the Red Riots are now prepared to fully unleash Will offensively. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound forward will channel his vertical ability to score around the hoop, and will also get touches along the perimeter. Francis averaged 7.4 points on 57 percent shooting, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists last year.
LIAM HENAGHEN • Jr., SF, Hampden Academy
A solid three-and-D starter for the regional champion Broncos last year, Henaghen has made strides this offseason as a ball handler and scorer at all three levels, and will make his presence felt offensively. Standing 6-foot-5, Henaghen tallied seven points, five rebounds, three assists and 1.7 blocks per game last season, serving as the primary rim protector in Class A North’s top defense.
DIING MAIWEN • Sr., PF, Edward Little
Standing at 6-foot-6, Maiwen is a dynamic wing player who can defend the rim, attack downhill and slam home alley-oops with ease. A likely BDN All-Mainer, Maiwen tallied 12.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and a Class AA-best 2.3 blocks per game last year. “Diing impacts both ends of the floor, can shoot it from deep and is a great last line of defense. He’s evolved into a good leader for our Edward Little team,” first-year head coach James Philbrook said.
LEO MCNABB • Sr., SG, Cheverus
McNabb made the BDN’s All-Maine third team as a junior, posting the highest scoring average (16.4 ppg) in Class AA North and leading the Stags to the region’s No. 2 seed. McNabb is skilled with both hands, extremely quick, tenacious on defense (he snagged 4.4 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game last season) and a threat to score at all three levels. He formerly played on Cooper Flagg’s Maine United AAU team, alongside Cheverus point guard Sammy Nzeyimana.
OWEN WYMAN • Sr., PF, Schenck
Wyman is a versatile big man that can guard all five positions, dominate the post and stretch the floor with his 3-point shooting. The PVC first-teamer averaged 12.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game last year, en route to an undefeated regular season and regional final appearance. The Wolverines only graduated three seniors last year, and Wyman will be the leader of a hungry Schenck team aiming for a state title.
