The frenetic February fun is underway and there’s already been much excitement for local wrestlers, runners, jumpers, throwers, skiers, swimmers and hockey players, with even more drama around the corner as the basketball tournament begins.

Here’s a look at what’s transpired so far and what’s to come:

Girls’ hockey

The Brunswick girls’ hockey team was one win from the state final at press time. The top-ranked Dragons downed No. 5 Yarmouth, 6-1, in an East Region semifinal Friday afternoon and improved to 15-3-1. The game was tied, 1-1, after two, but Brunswick erupted for five goals in the third period and advanced to meet second-ranked Greely (14-5) in Wednesday’s regional final. The Rangers won both regular season meetings, 5-1 and 4-1. If the Dragons were able to make the third time the charm, they’d face either Falmouth (18-1) or York (13-3-3) in the state final, Saturday at 7 p.m., at the Colisee in Lewiston.

Boys’ basketball

Hyde’s boys’ basketball team will be the top seed for the Western D tournament at the Augusta Civic Center. The Phoenix finished 15-1 with a 57-49 victory over visiting A.R. Gould Friday. Hyde will either play Buckfield (7-11) or Seacoast Christian (9-9) Saturday at 1 p.m. The Phoenix beat Seacoast Christian twice (59-27 and 61-18) earlier this winter. Hyde did not face Buckfield.

In Eastern A, Brunswick finished 11-7 and sixth in the final Heal Points standings after closing with a 52-44 loss at Erskine and a 59-57 victory at Mt. Ararat. Mitchell Black hit a runner in the waning seconds to give the Dragons the win. Brunswick will face No. 3 Mt. Blue (14-4) at 4 p.m. Saturday, in Augusta, in the quarterfinals. The Dragons beat the visiting Cougars, 59-52, back on Jan. 6.

Mt. Ararat finished 2-16 and 13th in the region (only nine teams made the playoffs) after losses at Lewiston (80-36) and at home to Brunswick (59-57).

In Western B, Morse wound up 4-14 and 17th in the standings (the top 12 qualified). The Shipbuilders closed with a 61-40 home loss to Leavitt and a 69-50 setback at Medomak.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Mt. Ararat posted a solid 12-6 campaign, which gave it the No. 4 seed for the Eastern A tournament. The Eagles closed with a 51-43 home victory over Lewiston and a 47-31 triumph at Brunswick. Mt. Ararat will square off with No. 5 Messalonskee (13-5) Friday at 7 p.m. in Augusta in the quarterfinals. The Eagles won, 47-32, at Messalonskee back on Jan. 5.

Brunswick wound up 4-14 and 11th (only the top nine teams made the cut) after losses to visiting Erskine (55-53) and Mt. Ararat (47-31).

In Western B, Morse ended up 7-11 and 16th (only 12 teams made the playoffs). The Shipbuilders ended with losses at Leavitt (91-53) and at home to Medomak (67-59).

In Western D, Hyde ended the season 0-16 and 13th in the Heals. The Phoenix’s final game resulted in a 30-14 loss at Sacopee.

Indoor track

The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference held its championship meet Saturday. Brunswick’s girls were first and Mt. Ararat came in second in Class A. The Eagles were also second in the boys’ meet (to Edward Little), while the Dragons placed fourth.

In Class B, Morse’s girls were eighth and the boys ninth (Waterville was first in both meets).

The state championships are Monday.

Swimming

The KVAC swim championships were also held Saturday. In Class A, the Brunswick boys came in first. Morse was second and Mt. Ararat placed sixth. On the girls’ side, Morse was runner-up to Messalonskee. Brunswick finished third and Mt. Ararat came in fifth.

The state championships are Monday and Tuesday.

Skiing

Mt. Ararat took part in the KVAC Nordic skiing championships last week.

The Eagles boys placed fifth and the girls were sixth.

The state meet is next week.

Wrestling

In the Eastern A regional championships last weekend, Mt. Ararat finished seventh and Brunswick was 12th. Morse was fifth at the Western B championships.

The state meets are Saturday.

Boys’ hockey

Boys’ hockey still has some regular season left.

Brunswick began the week 6-8-1 and seventh in the Eastern A Heals (eight teams make the playoffs). The Dragons dropped a 5-4 overtime decision to Scarborough last Thursday. After going to St. Dom’s Wednesday, Brunswick plays at Cony Saturday and closes the regular year Wednesday of next week at Gray-New Gloucester/Poland.

Mt. Ararat is 5-8-1 and 10th after a 4-4 tie with Bonny Eagle Saturday. The Eagles went to Maranacook Tuesday, visit Lake Region Saturday, play at Massabesic Monday and close at Cony Feb. 23.

Sidebar Elements

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Mt. Ararat’s Leah Hitchcock blocks Brunswick’s Liz Faulkner’s shot during the teams’ season-ending meeting Thursday, won by the Eagles, 47-31.

Brunswick’s Julia Champagne races for a loose ball in last week’s loss to Mt. Ararat.

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