Brunswick’s girls’ basketball team won a surprise Class A South title in February.

Brunswick’s boys’ lacrosse team won an epic overtime Class A state final in June.

Morse’s Sydney McCarren was one of many strong cross country runners from the area this fall.

Local high school sports athletes made memories again in 2017.

Whether the season was winter, spring or fall, triumph was the theme and there were countless breathtaking moments.

With another winter season underway and a new year upon us, here’s one final look back at the thrills that made up a special year.

January

When 2016 gave way to 2017, Brunswick’s boys’ basketball teams and the girls’ squads from Brunswick and Morse were all heading for the playoffs.

On the ice, the Brunswick girls’ team led the way.

Skiing, swimming, track and wrestling teams and individuals geared up for the postseason.

February

February vacation week brought the first triumph of the new year as Brunswick’s girls’ swim team was second in Class A, but Caitlin Tycz was first in the 200 freestyle, setting a new state record, and also winning the 100 butterfly. The Dragons’ 200 freestyle relay team was also first. Morse’s girls’ team was second in Class B, getting wins from Ann Tolan in the 50 free and Olivia Harper in the 100 backstroke (a new state record). The Shipbuilders also won the 200 free relay.

Indoor track featured Mt. Ararat’s Cameron Meier winning the Class A boys’ mile.

In girls’ hockey, Brunswick upset Winslow in the quarterfinals of the North Region tournament, then gave eventually state champion St. Dom’s a battle before losing in the semifinals.

Attention then turned to the basketball championships.

Brunswick’s boys’ team dropped a frustrating and controversial overtime decision to Cape Elizabeth in the Class A South quarterfinals.

In the girls’ tournament, Mt. Ararat was ousted by Leavitt in the Class A North preliminary round, leaving Brunswick, which stole headlines, beating Kennebunk and York to reach the regional final, where the Dragons upset top-ranked Greely.

March

Brunswick’s girls’ basketball team took the court again on the 4th, battling Messalonskee, but the Dragons lost, 58-33.

April and May

The short spring regular season featured much excitement and triumph.

Morse and Mt. Ararat’s baseball and softball teams enjoyed strong campaigns.

Brunswick’s boys’ lacrosse team was once again a top contender, while Brunswick’s girls, Morse’s boys’ and girls’and Mt. Ararat’s boys’ teams all enjoyed a run to the postseason. 

Area track stars geared up for the state meet.

The tennis story featured several solid squads.

June

The spring championship season started with Mt. Ararat’s Nick Mathieu capturing the boys’ state singles title for the second year in a row.

In team play, the Brunswick girls got to the Class A state match, but lost to Falmouth. The Brunswick boys were undefeated until losing to Lewiston in the regional final. Morse’s boys were the top seed in Class B South, but got upset by Yarmouth in the semifinals. The Morse girls lost to eventual state champion Greely in the quarterfinals. Mt. Ararat’s boys lost in the quarterfinals to Mt. Blue. 

Morse’s baseball team was defeated by Mountain Valley in the preliminary round of the Class B South tournament. In Class A North, Mt. Ararat went on a memorable run, beating Messalonskee in the preliminary round before upsetting second-ranked Brewer and No. 3 Edward Little to make it to the regional final where the Eagles were ultimately defeated by eventual state champion Bangor.

Mt. Ararat’s softball team lost to Cony in the Class A North preliminary round. Morse was a preliminary round winner over Mearanacook and upset Oak Hill in the quarterfinals before losing to Fryeburg Academy in the semis.

In girls’ lacrosse, Morse knocked off Freeport in the Class B North quarterfinals, then lost to Oceanside in the semifinals. Brunswick was ousted by Windham in the Class A North quarterfinals.

On the boys’ side, Morse was knocked off by Winslow in the Class B North preliminary round and Mt. Ararat lost to Lewiston in the Class A North quarterfinals. That left Brunswick, which handled Windham, Cheverus and Lewiston to return to the Class A state final, where the Dragons and Scarborough engaged in a game for the ages, which Brunswick won, 18-17, in overtime, when Josh Dorr scored the biggest goal in program history. 

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 more excitement.

On the gridiron, defending Class B champion Brunswick struggled in the early going, but remained competitive, while Morse and Mt. Ararat got off to promising starts.

On the pitch, four of six local teams embarked on runs to the playoffs.

Morse and Mt. Ararat’s field hockey teams produced winning records.

Brunswick’s second-year varsity volleyball team earned its initial victory and tacked on a few more.

Cross country and golf teams hinted at success to come.

October

Mt. Ararat’s golf team returned to the state match and tied for fifth place in Class A.

Both Brunswick and Mt. Ararat’s cross country teams, along with the Morse girls, qualified for the state meet. 

The field hockey playoffs saw Morse lose to Nokomis in the preliminary round and Mt. Ararat fall to Cony in overtime in the quarterfinals. 

Brunswick’s volleyball team made the playoffs for the first time, but lost to Bonny Eagle in the Class A preliminary round.

The soccer playoffs saw Mt. Ararat’s boys lose in overtime to Mt. Blue and Brunswick’s boys fall to eventual champion Lewiston in the Class A North quarterfinals, the Morse girls lose in the Class B South quarterfinals to York and the Brunswick girls reach the semifinals by downing Lewiston before losing to Bangor.

On the gridiron, Brunswick sprung an upset in the Class B North quarterfinals, beating Cony. Morse dropped a close decision to Gardiner in the Class B South quarterfinals, while Mt. Ararat was eliminated by eventual champion Marshwood in the quarterfinal round. 

November

Brunswick football’s quest for a repeat championship was dashed in the Class B North semifinals, as the Dragons were eliminated by Lawrence.

December

Winter has returned and the fun begins again. Look forward to a lot of triumph in the weeks and months to come.

Say goodbye to the wonderful year that was. We welcome 2018 and look forward to a new batch of highlights.

Happy New Year everyone!

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