The Mattanawcook Academy Lynx are the heavy favorites in girls Class C North this year after suffering a heartbreaking 42-37 loss to Penobscot Valley in the regional final a year ago.
Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln won 13 of their first 15 games by at least 25 points with a 55-46 win over Penobscot Valley and a 41-24 victory over Dexter being the only exceptions. The Lynx finished the regular season with a perfect 18-0 record.
All-Maine second team center/forward Addison Cyr has been having a terrific senior year, averaging close to 25 points, 18 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.6 blocked shots per game and All-Maine honorable mention Megan House was shining by averaging nearly 18 points per game to go with 6.4 rebounds, 5 assists, 4.2 steals and 2.2 blocks.
Both are 1,000-point scorers.
The 6-foot-1 Cyr is complemented inside by 6-foot-1 Chloe De La Cruz. Seasoned point guard Juliana Cloukey and veteran shooting guard Natalie Turner are returning starters who round out an impressive unit.
George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill has been Mattanawcook’s closest pursuer with 13 wins in its first 15 games. But the two losses were to the Lynx, 75-39 and 61-42.
George Stevens features Layla Hutchins (13.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg, 2.6 blocks), Aurora Simmons (9.1 rpg, 3 steals) and Halle Clifford (4.6 apg, 2.7 spg).
Foxcroft Academy, led by Nola Mason’s 13.3 ppg and other key contributors like Payson Hall, Addi Day and Maddie Muth, could be a tough matchup during the tournament.