Bash Favs: Maine Edition

I've always enjoyed watching Maine basketball. Over the past year, it has been one of my favorite states to cover due to the state-wide talent level, competitiveness, and culture. I had the opportunity to see many of the prospects during the spring and summer, and below are my 12 favorite players.   #12   [player_tooltip player_id='412220' first='Ella' last='Pelletier']|XL Thunder|5'11''|SF/PF|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/AD4E74B3-025D-4EB4-8F7D-5A347A09E64D-crop-1302x855-1660492818.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478438"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Pelletier is a rising sophomore who exploded onto the scene with her size and athleticism. Her defensive activity causes her opponent problems because she will outwork anyone and can overpower you with her strength. As Pelletier develops, I can see her being a force in the high/low post because she is a superior athlete who plays through contact. Pelletier's style of play will lead to her living at the free-throw line, where she has shown the ability to convert proficiently.    #11   [player_tooltip player_id='327283' first='Rachel' last='Penny']|MBC|5'8''|SG|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/F2568970-E763-4A80-ADE0-05C42FF67517-crop-1302x855-1660492929.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478440"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Penny continues to improve and has developed into a valuable all-around player who can impact both sides of the floor. Her lights-out shooting speaks for itself, but I have always been a fan of her basketball IQ. She understands the game and knows where to be and when to be there, specifically on defense. Penny always stands out with her help defense, which compliments her offensive game, which is improving exponentially.    #10   [player_tooltip player_id='295913' first='Emma' last='Lizotte']| Maine Firecrackers|6'2''|PF|'24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/7F5EB2B8-BB8B-49FB-9C24-3A6483721BE9-crop-1225x805-1660493906.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478455"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   At Bryant University's Elite Camp a couple of weeks back, I thought Lizotte dominated the glass. She was highly effective in 3v3 play and was a major reason her team found so much success due to her securing extra possessions. Lizotte has a nose for the ball and always gets inside position whenever a shot goes up. She was too big and too strong for the majority of kids at the camp and took full advantage of the interior mismatch.    #9   [player_tooltip player_id='267470' first='Jessica' last='Dow']|Maine Attraction|5'10''|SG|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/0D35640E-BE21-4A9F-A73C-39B5D14C48E3-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1660493312.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478444"/><figcaption>Photo: Meredith Ryan</figcaption></figure>   Dow flies under the radar because her game isn't the flashiest, but she always gets the job done. She plays a physical brand of basketball and is a significant factor on the offensive glass, constantly flying in from the backside and giving her team second chances. Dow also has good size, upper body strength, and a smooth shooting stroke from the outside.    #8   [player_tooltip player_id='315379' first='Elise' last='MacNair']|Maine Attraction|5'9''|SF|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/4DA907DE-B1CA-4A9A-9BC7-2A32EB0A1699-crop-1242x816-1660493415.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478446"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   MacNair is another gritty and tough athlete from Maine Attraction. She is also a skilled and crafty lefty who can get into the paint and step outside and bang threes. I like MacNair's off-hand work. She comfortably handles the ball with her right hand and can create space and be a playmaker going to her weak side.    #7   [player_tooltip player_id='295914' first='Bailey' last='Breen']| Maine Firecrackers|6'2''|PF|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/12550484-A43F-44C6-8DFA-0D32D7125667-crop-1328x872-1660493502.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478449"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Breen is one of the most efficient players I have seen and shoots an unreal percentage in the paint. Most recently, at the Bryant University Elite Camp, Breen controlled the interior per usual. Breen also showed how excellent her hands are. No matter where you give her the ball, she catches it clean and makes a quick decision. I like how disciplined Breen is and her willingness to dominate on the block and then, when the opportunity arises, will stretch the floor with her jump shot.     #6   [player_tooltip player_id='315377' first='Natalie' last='Beaudoin']| Maine Attraction|6'0''|SG|'24   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/143BA2C0-27D1-4E96-A8B8-8795CE3BEA54-e1660494150881-1024x748.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478460"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   Beaudoin's rebounding has improved, and with that added to her skill set, she becomes more versatile on the court. At 6'0'', Beaudoin can exploit mismatches on the perimeter. With her stepping up her game on the glass, you can now slide her over to the 4 in certain situations. Beaudoin is automatic when attempting trail 3's and has gotten stronger physically, so I like that she can now play multiple positions on the floor and still be a high-impact player.    #5   [player_tooltip player_id='184118' first='Sierra' last='Carson']|Maine Attraction|5'7''|PG|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/7E13D6B7-EF51-49B3-9F2C-181DBC73CB9F-crop-1299x853-1660494184.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478462"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   Carson has been highly impressive the last four months. She got better by the week and concluded the summer season with a commitment to Dartmouth. She is one of the toughest point guards and is relentlessly attacking the defense. No matter who is in front of Carson, she will use her athleticism and explosion to get past the defense and to the rim.    #4   [player_tooltip player_id='295915' first='Bella' last='McLaughlin']| Maine Firecrackers|5'7''|PG|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/841D0356-8E5D-48F3-BB42-6B6539A6861B-scaled-crop-1709x1123-1660494273.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478464"/><figcaption>Photo: Meredith Ryan</figcaption></figure>   One of McLaughlin's strengths is settling the team down and getting them into the offense. She can adapt to different styles of play. She can play uptempo basketball and can slow the game down, facilitating at a high level. Mclaughlin sets the table for her teammates, puts them in a position to score, and is an impactful player when off the ball. She cuts hard, will open up her teammates with screens, and understands spacing.    #3   [player_tooltip player_id='426091' first='Kenzie' last='Lombardi']|XL Thunder|5'10''|SG|'24   I have been a fan of Lombardi since I first saw her at the Crusaders Jamfest back in spring, but she really opened my eyes late last month. She impacts the game in multiple ways that translate to the next level. Her combination of three-point acumen, rebounding, and motor is enough for Lombardi to play for any coach. The scary part is that she still has room to grow, and by next spring, I think we will see her take that next jump as a prospect.    #2   [player_tooltip player_id='184116' first='Lizzy' last='Gruber']| Maine Attraction|6'4''|PF|'23   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/08/33AB98F6-7631-4F81-B9D6-97886DFFD5B3-crop-1242x816-1660494337.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478466"/><figcaption>Photo: Anna Kitch</figcaption></figure>   It seems like everywhere Gruber goes, she dominates the paint. Intangibly, Gruber is one of the best bigs you'll see. She is one of the most vocal athletes on the court, is a great teammate, and leads by example. Gruber's effort, motor, and toughness are off the charts, and she has always been one of the most skilled players on the block from New England. What I didn't see a lot of from her this summer was her jump shot, but she is a big who can stretch the floor out to the three-point line and consistently convert.    #1   [player_tooltip player_id='335464' first='Izzy' last='Orlando']|MBC|6'0''|PF|'25   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/05/5F84C9BD-525A-4198-B0EE-12F94593FBE1-crop-1302x855-1660494363.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-478467"/><figcaption>Photo: JT Shotz</figcaption></figure>   I think Orlando is one year away from being a two-way force in the '25 class. After watching her the last few months, it is clear she has the physical tools and motor to be a game-changing defender. Orlando sprints to spots, hustles back on defense, and is a tremendous shot-blocker. She isn't just one of my favorite bigs from Maine but one of my favorites throughout the region because of her offensive upside and ability to anchor a defense.

I've always enjoyed watching Maine basketball. Over the past year, it has been one of my favorite states to cover due to the state-wide talent level, competitiveness, and culture. I had the opportunity to see many of the prospects during the spring and summer, and below are my 12 favorite players.