For the first time in roughly 10 years, the Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team made it to the state playoffs in 2014.

Hopefully, the next trip won't take as long.

The Wiscasset Wolverines look to again punch a ticket to Augusta for the second straight year and head coach Pat Quinn said the experience gleaned from last year's playoff push will only help the team realize that goal.

Especially since most of the players are back, Quinn said.

“We have six seniors coming back, and seven or eight players with meaningful varsity experience from a team that went to the playoffs for the first time in 10 years last year,” he said. “We're hoping for at least (another game in the state tournament), if not more. Augusta is a real nice goal to have in front of us.”

The Wolverines went 6-12 a year ago, despite a slow start. Towards the end of the season, Wiscasset was able to go on a run and eke-out a spot on the playoff line-up.

“Down the stretch last year, the girls really, really sort of learned what it took to compete,” Quinn said. “They especially committed themselves to defense, and staying positive, staying focused and figuring out what they can do with a little bit of luck and a lot of hard work and determination.”

For the first time since he started coaching the girls squad, the team will be without Briana Goud, who graduated in 2014.

But, a number of players have already stepped-up to take on the departed forward's starting spot.

“So far, a lot of players have improved their game to make up for what Briana did,” Quinn said. “Obviously, we'll lack some of her inside scoring, but Miranda (McIntire) did a great job over the summer by adding some offense to her game. (Junior) Colleen Hendricks is going to play an increased role, (sophomore) Hayhlee Craig is going to play an increased role. We're going to look to the combination of those three to make up that spot.”

Those players will be paired with returning forward Kayla Gordon, who a year ago paired with Goud to form an offensive and defensive wall for the Wolverines.

Add in returning guards seniors Alecia Faulkingham, Tylan Onorato and Hanna Foye and sophomore Gabby Chapman and Wiscasset’s attack becomes clear.

“(The team's strength will be) ball movement. Just from what I've seen in the first couple weeks of practice the kids are making good decisions with the ball, nobody is being selfish and I think we're going to be patient and get really good, balanced looks on offense,” Quinn said. “I don't think we're going to get bogged down. We'll have good ball handling and enough scoring options that it doesn't have to be same person scoring every night.”

The Wolverines will gel together in what should be another wild Western Conference; Dirigo, Madison and Oak Hill all return with strong rosters, and the rival Boothbay Region Seahawks have an impressive stable of seniors.

“The most important stretch will be at home against Monmouth, Lisbon and St. Dom's,” Quinn said. “I think that chunk of games is going to dictate how far we go.”

Boys basketball: Returning firepower

A year after falling to Dirigo in the Western Class C playoffs, the Wiscasset High School boys varsity basketball team is back and ready to make noise in the crowded conference.

The team is coming off a 10-8 season in which it secured the eighth seed in the Western Class C playoffs. The Wolverines would eventually go on to lose to the top-ranked Dirigo Cougars.

Gone from this year's team are departed seniors Chandler Longfellow and Dale Peaslee, both of whom started for the Wolverines a year ago.

But, there is help on the way.

The team will lean on second-year forwards Nate Woodman, Ethan James and Kevin Lynch to muscle-up its opponents; all three forwards are well over six feet tall and all three gained experience during the team's run to the playoffs a year ago.

But it isn't just the big forwards expected to lead the way for the Wolverines: Edgecomb's Brandon Sprague returns after a successful summer season, and the Wolverines retain most of their star power from a year ago.

Travis Padilla and Matt Craig both return to the squad, a year after torching the competition.

The Wolverines will need all the firepower they can muster if they hope to again compete in the conference.

Wiscasset will again have two meetings with rival Boothbay Region, which is coming off a disappointing offseason and will be looking to return to the state finals. The Seahawks (16-2 a year ago) retain most of their seniors from a year ago and will face Wiscasset on Monday, Dec. 8 in Boothbay Harbor and Jan. 26 in Wiscasset.

The Wolverines will also have a chance at a little revenge when the team takes on Dirigo (17-1 in 2013-14) on Jan. 6 at home.