Having five players at 5'10" or taller, some talented young players, as well as the league's leading scorer returning for her senior season, Coach Tanner Grover is confident his Lady Boothbay Region High School Seahawks basketball will be competitive this season.

"I know we're good and can compete with the rest of the league," said Grover, who begins his fourth year at the helm. "But I also realize that there are peaks and valleys in this league. Having consistent play is the key to success."

Grover said he is impressed with how quickly the newcomers have caught on so far this pre-season.

"We have four or five new players who are catching on fast," said Grover. "I feel we are ahead of the game defensively, in our press, zone and man-to-man."

Grover sees Carrabec, Dirigo, Old Orchard Beach being three of the other teams in Western Maine Class C who will be near the top come tournament time.

"We had a good showing at the Monmouth tournament, defeating Traip, Old Orchard and Waynflete," said Grover.

"Dirigo has a strong starting five, Carrabec has size and Old Orchard shoots the ball well," said Grover. The Lady Seahawks' 2013-2014 season ended with a tournament prelim loss at Old Orchard in February.

Grover said his theory on which players start the games is done game by game.

"Everyone has a role, whether it's starting or coming off the bench," said Grover. "We have been having success this pre-season on teaching that concept of supporting the team."

The 2014-2015 Lady Seahawk roster

Morgan Crocker: Crocker is a 5'5" senior guard who led the Mountain Valley Conference in scoring last year. She is also one of the team's top defenders. "With others stepping up this season, I think the game will come easier to her," said Grover.

Sara Durgan: Durgan is a 5'3" senior guard who is quick and is a top three-point shooter for the team. She is also a good defender.

Ashley Reed: Reed is a 5'4" senior guard who is currently recovering from a medical problem. She is a left-handed player who has quickness and is a team player.

Hannah Morley: Morley, 5'7", is the only junior on the team. She is a good defender, can shoot from beyond the three-point arc, finds open teammates on the offense, and rebounds well.

Kate Friant: Friant is a 5'8" sophomore guard who handles the ball well at the point guard position and is a good defender.

Cagney O'Brien: O'Brien is a 5'10" sophomore forward who is strong defensively and scores well under the basket. She can also shoot well at mid-range.

Nicole Clarke: Clarke is a 5'11" sophomore forward who has stepped up her game over the summer. She will be looked upon to score and defend the other teams' tallest players.

Alexis Welch: Welch, another 5'11" sophomore forward, is coming off a knee injury sustained during her freshman year. She rebounds well and will provide quality minutes off the bench for the Lady Seahawks.

Mackenzie Abbott: Abbott is a 5'4" sophomore guard who penetrates to the basket well. She also has quick hands on defense. She will also be playing on the junior varsity.

Angelique Perkins: Perkins, a 5'11" sophomore forward, will also play games for the junior varsity, scores well inside the lane and has improved over the summer.

Page Brown: Brown is a 5'11" freshman forward who has many skills, offensively and defensively. She should provide many quality minutes for the Lady Seahawks.

Sydney Meader: Meader is a 5'7" freshman guard who is quick defensively and a good passer.

Grover welcomes Lauren Brown back to the Lady Seahawks coaching ranks as the junior varsity coach.

"Lauren worked with us all summer and her familiarity with the girls as an elementary school teacher (and mother of Page Brown) has been a plus for the team. The girls have responded well to Lauren," said Grover. Grover said Brown has 10 players on her junior varsity squad.

Returning as Grover's assistant is Brian Blethen.

"Brian is the consummate girls basketball fan," said Grover. "He and his wife, Lesley, have coached many of these girls when they were younger and he has one of the best basketball minds I know. He has the intensity to teach the girls the correct way to play the game."

The Lady Seahawks open the season at home on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. against the Dirigo Cougars. Prior to the game, the 1984 BRHS girls championship team, which includes Lauren Brown, will be honored. During the day, a program to honor that team will be held at the high school beginning at 12:30 p.m., followed by a presentation in the school auditorium.