ESPN RISE

Girls' Basketball - Winthrop

The Vikings have everything going for them this season. Following up an impressive 19-5 campaign last year in which they advanced to the Division 3 North finals, the team is back virtually intact and ready to take the next step. "We want to be playing at the Garden," says first-year coach David Nagle, alluding to the site of state semifinals. "There are some tough teams coming back that will be in the way, so it's going to be a challenge." Winthrop has one key advantage over the rest of the D3 competition, however: senior guard Courtney Finn. The 5-foot-11 sharpshooter averaged better than 21 points per game last season and was named to The Boston Globe All-Scholastic Super Team, giving Vikings a weapon that few opponents can match. "She's certainly one of the best players in the state," says Nagle. "Everybody knows she can hit the deep three, and she can also take it to the hoop, get offensive rebounds and get to the free throw line."Finn will have a lot of help on the floor from her experienced teammates. Katerina Mallios can create from the outside, Abigail Belcher is a tough defender and Nagle is high on sophomore center Johanna Fisher, who is 6-foot-2 and still growing. "I think we can take that next step," says Nagle. "We're deep, and when we face the tough teams in the playoffs, Courtney is the type of player that can make a play to put us over the top."

Boys' Track - Charlestown

The Townies' indoor track squad figures to be one of the best in the state this winter, led by a talented group of distance runners. Senior Omar Aden was a Boston Globe All-Scholastic last year after winning the mile at the All-State meet and finishing fourth at the National Scholastic Indoor Championships. Aden and classmate Ahmed Ali both enjoyed impressive cross country seasons, so they should be ready now that the action is moving indoors.

Girls' Track - Newton South

Newton South consistently fields some of the best track and cross country teams in New England, and this season should be no different. Seniors Bridget Dahlberg and Kelsey Karys are distance aces and should give the team a leg up on the rest of the Dual County League competition. Dahlberg finished first at Division 1 state meet last year, and Karys came in second in the two-mile. They both finished first at the Coaches' Invitational.

Boys' Basketball - Scituate

After making it to the Division 3 state finals last year, the Sailors are poised for another super season. Guard Rodney Beldo was the leading scorer in the Patriot League last season, averaging more than 20 points per game, and the 5-foot-10 junior guard is the undisputed No. 1 option on offense this year. Pair him with senior big man Andrew McCarthy (6-foot-10), and it looks like more smooth sailing for Scituate this season.

BREAK OUT TEAMS

BOYS' BASKETBALL  STOUGHTON
Senior forward Dartaye Ruffin is hard to handle when he gets in the paint.

GIRLS' ICE HOCKEY  CUSHING ACADEMY
The arrival of goalie Meghan Grant via transfer should be a real boost.

WRESTLING  FRAMINGHAM
Junior Nick Flannery already has an All-State title on his resume.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL  OLIVER AMES
Junior forward Lauren Battista can score and protect the rim.