Another year of high school sports action is in the rearview mirror, but the memories figure to linger for a long time.

With a new year nearing, here’s one more look back to the thrills that made up 2011.

January

When 2010 gave way to 2011, the Brunswick and Mt. Ararat boys’ basketball teams were making playoff pushes.

On the girls’ side, Morse was sizzling and Brunswick and Mt. Ararat were winning their share of games.

On the ice, the Brunswick boys’ and girls’ squads were looking to qualify for the playoffs.

Skiing, swimming, wrestling and track teams and individuals made a mark as they geared up for the postseason.

February

On the 12th, three local wrestlers, Brunswick’s Jared Jensen (130 pounds) and Mt. Ararat’s Malcolm Marshall (152) and Jake Oh (145), captured Class A championships.

In track, both Brunswick and Mt. Ararat teams placed in the top five at the Class A state meet. Brunswick’s Alexis Dickinson (girls’ 55), Kathleen McMahon (girls’ two-mile), Mike Slovenski (boys’ pole vault) and Mt. Ararat’s McKenzie Gary (boys’ long jump, 55 and 200) and Randi London (girls’ shot put) all won individual crowns.

In the pool, Morse’s girls were runners-up in Class A and Emily Buczkowski, who won both the 50 and the 100 freestyle, was named Outstanding Swimmer of the Meet. Mt. Ararat’s Kristin Snipe was the top diver.

Attention then turned to the basketball championships.

On the boys’ side, in Eastern A, Brunswick and Mt. Ararat were both eliminated in the Eastern A quarterfinals.

The Morse girls earned the top seed in Eastern A, but were upset in their first game. Brunswick and Mt. Ararat were also ousted in the quarterfinals.

March

The Brunswick boys’ hockey team made it to the playoffs, but lost in the quarterfinals on the 1st.

April and May

The short spring regular season featured much excitement and triumph.

Brunswick’s baseball team emerged as one of the top Eastern A contenders.

Mt. Ararat led the way in softball.

Boys’ lacrosse featured Brunswick, Morse and Mt. Ararat all in contention.

On the girls’ side, Brunswick had that championship look again, while Morse and Mt. Ararat were also in the hunt.

Area track stars geared up for the postseason.

The tennis story featured excellence from just about every local team. Brunswick’s Maisie Silverman reached the final of the girls’ individual championship.

June

On the 4th, a pair of local boys’ track stars won individual state titles. Brunswick’s Mike Slovenski (pole vault) and Mt. Ararat’s Jamie Rosenberg (javelin) were the best in Class A.

Brunswick’s girls’ and Mt. Ararat’s boys’ tennis teams both lost to powerhouse Lewiston

On the diamond, Brunswick was the lone baseball team to make the playoffs. The Dragons got to the semifinals before losing to Lewiston.

All three softball squads fell short of the postseason.

The Morse boys’ lacrosse team reached the semifinals before losing. Brunswick and Mt. Ararat were both ousted in the quarterfinal round.

On the girls’ side, Morse lost to eventual Class B champion Yarmouth in the semifinals. Mt. Ararat lost to Brunswick in a thrilling Eastern A semifinal. The Dragons then downed Cheverus in the regional final to get back to the state game. There, Brunswick was bested by Scarborough, 13-11.

July and August

High school action took a short break, while familiar names competed in road races and American Legion ball. By mid-August, fall practice was underway.

September

Autumn brought football, soccer, field hockey, cross country and golf excitement.

On the gridiron, Brunswick was living up to preseason billing as one of the best teams in Eastern A.

On the pitch, all three local boys’ teams posted winning records at month’s end. The three girls’ squads were impressing as well.

Brunswick was the most competitive field hockey team.

Cross country and golf teams hinted at success to come.

October

Golf held its state championship on the 10th. Brunswick placed seventh in Class A.

Mt. Ararat’s girls were second and Brunswick’s fourth at the Class A cross country state meet.

Brunswick was the lone field hockey team to qualify for the postseason. The Dragons lost to perennial champion Skowhegan in the quarterfinals.

The soccer playoffs saw all three boys’ teams beaten in the quarterfinals, as Brunswick and Mt. Ararat were upset by lower seeds.

On the girls’ side, Mt. Ararat lost to Waterville in the quarterfinals of Eastern A. Brunswick made it to the regional final. In Western B, Morse took a 14-0 record and the top seed into the playoffs. The Shipbuilders then dispatched Lake Region and Maranacook to make it to the regional final.

Morse’s football team qualified for the Eastern B playoffs, but lost to Leavitt in the quarterfinals. Brunswick capped its 7-2 regular season with a 51-0 romp over Mt. Ararat and got ready for a playoff run.

November

Soccer held its regional finals on the 2nd. The Brunswick girls were ousted by eventual Class A champion Bangor. Morse held an early lead on defending state champion Falmouth, but ultimately went down to a 2-1 defeat.

Football then had center stage all to itself. In the Eastern A semifinals, Brunswick went to Bangor hoping to avenge a regular season loss, but the Dragons lost, 42-14.

December

Winter has returned and the fun begins again.

In boys’ basketball, Brunswick has been very impressive in the early going. All three girls’ teams look as if they’ll be factors into February.

On the ice, the Brunswick girls are turning heads.

Swim and wrestling teams have provided positive glimpses, and track and skiing are about to get underway in earnest.

Say goodbye to the wonderful year that was. We welcome 2012 and look forward to a new batch of highlights.

Happy New Year everyone!

Sidebar Elements

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The Mt. Ararat boys’ basketball team fought its way into the postseason in February.

Dakota Foster helped the Brunswick girls’ lacrosse team reach the Class A state final.

Kevin McKellar and the Morse football team reached the playoffs in the fall.