The Maine Basketball Rankings Podcast

In this special edition of the podcast, Jay Baines and I roadtripped from the B State Games in Bangor to the game in Augusta and recapped a super fun two B title games. Presented by Vertical Raise!

Welcome to The Maine Basketball Rankings Podcast where Lucas McNelly and Jay Baines dissect their regional tournament predictions and see who picked the best Cinderellas. We'll also look ahead to this weekend's title games and make prediction on who will take home Gold Balls. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

The first four days of the tournament brought surprises (Scarborough!), great performances, blowouts (hello, Valley), and even an ejection of a family of three. Jon Duke is here to break it all down and react to the first four days of the tournament. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

Every year, Jay Baines and I go region-by-region and pick a Cinderella in each one. The premise is simple: we can't pick the favorite and we can't pick our own team. Did we pick your team? And if not, should we have? This is part 2 where we go through all of the boys regions and includes an introduction from the Augusta Civic Center. —————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

Every year, Jay Baines and I go region-by-region and pick a Cinderella in each one. The premise is simple: we can't pick the favorite and we can't pick our own team. Did we pick your team? And if not, should we have? —————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

We're at roughly the half-way point of the season, which means it's a great time to take stock of how the regions around Maine might shake out. Jay Baines joins me to go around the state and figure out who's in, who's out, and who has a chance to move up in the standings. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.c...—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalr...Dave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

We're at roughly the half-way point of the season, which means it's a great time to take stock of how the regions around the state might shake out. Jay Baines joins me to go around the state and figure out who's in, who's out, and who has a chance to move up in the standings. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

The season has just started, but that doesn't mean it's too early to speculate on awards. Blue Wave's Dylan Rottkov and WHOU's Steve Carmichael join me to draft potential Mr. and Miss Basketball winners, finalists, and semi-finalists. Plus we take a look at some of the top freshmen around the state. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

Last year's Wins Draft was one of the most popular episodes of this podcast, so we had to bring it back. Tyler Krusz, Mike Mandell, and not Adam Robinson return to draft teams they think will win a lot of games. Will your team get drafted or will they get snubbed?Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

It's part 2 of the Preseason Poll results!Jay Baines joins me to go over the boys preseason poll. We go region-by-region through the state, first to figure out who's playing in what region this year, and then to sort out the collective wisdom of the state and who are the teams to beat around the state. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

We're on to basketball season!Jay Baines joins me to go over the girls preseason poll. We go region-by-region through the state, first to figure out who's playing in what region this year, and then to sort out the collective wisdom of the state and who are the teams to beat around the state. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine  ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com    207-975-4072Calendly link:  https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine     DChase@VerticalRaise.com   603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

It's the final week of the football season, so we're doing it in style. Award-winning broadcasters Rob Kennedy and Jarod Richmond join me to talk through all the Gold Ball Football games. As expected, Rob and Jarod are a wealth of knowledge and insight. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

All 6 classes were in the playoffs this week, so it's less overreacting and more properly reacting. Ryan McLaughlin from the Ellsworth American joins the show to talk about Camden's first ever Regional Title in football, Kennebunk's big win over Falmouth, Cony's continued dominance, and so much more. Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: —————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

Travis Lee has been a staple for Maine households for 25 years, bringing sports coverage from around southern Maine to your living room as WMTW's Sports Reporter. Today he joins the podcast from his living room. We talk about the challenges of journalism in 2025 and the value of objectivity. Then we overreact to all the regions. Last, we talk hoops and Travis' fix for the Maine Transfer Portal epidemic. 20 Things You May Not Know About Travis Lee: https://www.wmtw.com/article/20-things-you-may-not-know-about-travis-lee/1971684Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

Week 8 is the final week of the regular season for most of the state, so it’s time to look at the tournament brackets and make some picks with the legendary Michael Hoffer of Hoffer’s High School Sports. We talk about the big Thornton Academy win over Bonny Eagle, Westbrook’s rise in Class B, Cony’s big year, the Fitzy race, Class C, and so much more. Plus we hit on soccer, field hockey, and volleyball! Subscribe to Hoffer’s High School Sports: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/ Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0#football #highschoolfootball

One of my favorite things of this football season has been the addition of Varsity Maine’s text message system, so I had to have Varsity Maine Editor Lee Horton on to discuss it, the challenges of newspapers, and, of course, to overreact to Week 7. Varsity Maine’s Week 7 Honor Roll: https://www.sunjournal.com/2025/10/20/varsity-maine-football-honor-roll-for-week-7/Mike Mandell’s Cony/Gardiner preview: https://www.centralmaine.com/2025/10/22/all-time-cony-gardiner-rivalry-clash-is-varsity-maine-football-game-of-the-week/ Varsity Maine’s Newsletter: https://www.pressherald.com/varsity-maine-newsletter/Crabtree possibilities from Andrew Hart: https://www.facebook.com/MaineHighSchoolFootball/posts/pfbid02eKYKpb8hACN9cc6hnF6G7kypxpQPeRSDsg7LdkdPdJkAhACv3jkAmAEWEJttJhThl Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portal—————————Vertical Raise contact informationChris Christie - Maine  ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com    207-975-4072Calendly link:  https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine     DChase@VerticalRaise.com   603-545-2960——————————Gear (affiliate links)Edward G. Ulmer’s DETOUR: https://amzn.to/43xsiIC Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

Ethan Snow is back on the mic for WHOU and he's here to overreact to week 6 of Maine's high school football season. We dig deep into OOB's instant classic win over Lake Region (and how late into the season you can get pier fries and play skee-ball). From there we go around the state, including Bonny Eagle's dominance, Falmouth's chances in a loaded B South, the insanity that is Class C, and so much more. ----------This episode of the Maine Basketball Rankings Podcast is brought to you by Vertical Raise — one of the largest fundraising platforms in the country, now proudly helping teams, clubs, and programs across Maine!With Vertical Raise, your program can raise more money in less time — no selling, no collecting, just results. From new uniforms and better equipment to tournament trips and every fundraising need in between, Vertical Raise has a variety of campaigns to make it happen.Your Maine reps, Chris Christie and Dave Chase, are both coaches who know what it takes to run a great program — at any sport, club, or grade level — and they understand how important fundraising is to making it happen.Isn’t it worth ten minutes of your time to learn more? Schedule a call or email us today and see how Vertical Raise can take your fundraising to the next level!Chris Christie - Maine ChrisC@VerticalRaise.com 207-975-4072Calendly link: https://calendly.com/chrisc-verticalraise/30minDave Chase - Southern Maine DChase@VerticalRaise.com 603-545-2960----------------Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portalGear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0

VoteDexter.comDexter High School is one of 25 finalists in this year's T-Mobile Friday Night 5G Lights contest. The winner gets $1M to upgrade their facilities. They're currently in third place, thanks to an outpouring of support from all over Maine. So I sat down with AD Adam Gudroe to get a look at the campaign from the inside. Vote for Dexter:https://www.t-mobile.com/brand/friday-night-5g-lights/aSubscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portalGear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0#highschoolfootball #americanfootball #tmobile #FN5GL

Haley Jones majored in Diplomacy and World Affairs, so naturally she's writing about Maine high school sports for Sun Journal Sports. She's here to overreact to week 5 of the football schedule, including Wells' dramatic win over Leavitt. We also take a look at this week in Class C, the impact of TA's blowout of Portland, Bonny Eagle's defense, the potential Cony/Gardiner battle of unbeatens, and more!Today's episode is brought to you by Vertical Raise.https://www.verticalraise.com/Subscribe to Maine Basketball Rankings: https://www.mainebasketballrankings.com/#/portalGear (affiliate links)Green Screen: https://amzn.to/3IiodkiLighting: https://amzn.to/4n7cNzcMicrophone: https://amzn.to/47ekYEa Webcam: https://amzn.to/464U4y0