Yarmouth’s Paige Reinfelder soars over the bar at 7 feet, 6 inches to win the pole vault at last week’s league meet. The Clippers placed fifth as a team.

Greely’s boys’ hockey team celebrates a goal during last week’s 5-1 home win over Yarmouth.

Falmouth senior Theo Hembre prepares to shoot and score during the Yachtsmen’s 9-2 win at Portland/Deering last week.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Falmouth-Portland/Deering and Greely-Yarmouth boys’ hockey game stories, with photos, see theforecaster.net) 

It has gone by in a flash and with February upon us, the winter sports season is beginning to wind down.

That, of course, means that the best is yet to come, as the end of the regular season schedule will produce many compelling matchups and the postseason promises to be memorable as well.

Here’s a glimpse at where things stand on the brink of a new month and what’s in store:

Boys’ basketball

Greely’s defending Class A state champion boys’ basketball team set a new program mark for consecutive victories at 36 after downing visiting Westbrook (61-47) and Gray-New Gloucester (66-45) last week. The old record of 34 straight wins, set between 1996-98, fell against the Blue Blazes, thanks to 16 points from Zach Brown, 15 from Jack Kane and 14 from Shane DeWolfe. In the win over the Patriots, Andrew Storey had 15 points, while Kane and Logan Bagshaw each added 12. The Rangers (14-0) have a stranglehold on the top spot in Class A South. They hosted Cape Elizabeth Tuesday, welcome Yarmouth Friday and visit York Tuesday of next week.

Falmouth fell to 7-7 and fifth in Class A South following home losses to Biddeford (40-39) and two-time defending Class AA South champion South Portland (59-53). Sam Manganello had a team-high 11 points against the Tigers. In the loss to the Red Riots, Manganello had 14 points and Jack Bryant added 13. The Yachtsmen were at Marshwood Tuesday, visit Bonny Eagle Friday and play at Westbrook Tuesday of next week.

In Class B South, Yarmouth began the week 9-5 and second behind Cape Elizabeth in the standings behind Cape Elizabeth and Spruce Mountain after beating the visiting Capers (71-55) and falling at Wells in a regional final rematch (39-36). In the victory, Nolan Hagerty went off for 23 points and also added 11 rebounds, seven blocked shots and five assists. Jon Torres contributed 14 points and Ashanti Haywood finished with 12. In the loss, Hagerty had a team-high nine points. The Clippers were home with Lake Region Tuesday, go to Greely Friday and visit Poland Tuesday of next week.

Freeport was 7-7 and 10th in Class B South (only teams make the playoffs) at press time following losses to visiting Waynflete (65-47) and at Fryeburg Academy (55-45) and Cape Elizabeth (63-37) last week. Gabe Wagner led the way with nine points against the Flyers. In the loss to the Raiders, Toby Holt had 15 points and Eriksen Shea added 11. Wagner had a team-high 12 points against the Capers. The Falcons hosted York Tuesday, welcome Lake Region Friday and go to Wells Tuesday of next week.

In Class C South, North Yarmouth Academy was 4-11 and holding on to the 11th and final postseason spot in the region following losses to visiting A.R. Gould (54-37), host Poland (57-45) and visiting Seacoast Christian (54-37). Te’Andre King had 29 points against the Knights and Eddie Newell had a team-high 15 points against Seacoast Christian. The Panthers were home with Buckfield Tuesday and welcome Sacopee Valley Tuesday of next week.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Greely extended its win streak to nine games last week after downing host Westbrook (72-29) and defending Class B champion Gray-New Gloucester (66-58). Against the Blue Blazes, Anna DeWolfe (who has verbally committed to Fordham University in New York City) had 27 points and Camille Clement added 18. In the win over the Patriots, Clement and DeWolfe both scored 25 points, while Brooke Obar added 12. The Rangers (12-3 and first in the Class A South Heals) went to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday and return home Tuesday of next week to meet York.

Falmouth was 4-10 and holding on to the ninth and final playoff spot in Class A South following losses last week at Biddeford (50-46) and South Portland (67-20). Grace Soucy had 15 points and Candice Powers added 11 in the loss to the Tigers. Against the undefeated Red Riots, Soucy had a team-high five points. The Yachtsmen hosted Marshwood Tuesday, welcome Bonny Eagle Thursday and have their home finale Tuesday of next week against Westbrook.

In Class B South, Freeport extended its win streak to six last week after downing host Waynflete (58-46) and visiting Fryeburg Academy (54-22) and Cape Elizabeth (59-40). Caroline Smith had 23 points and Taylor Rinaldi added 16 in the win over the Flyers. Rinaldi and Allie Goodman both had 14 points against the Raiders. In the win over the Capers, Goodman scored 16 points and Smith added 14. The Falcons (12-2 and third behind Poland and Gray-New Gloucester in the Heals) were at York Tuesday, go to Lake Region Friday and play their home finale Monday versus Wells. Freeport last won over 12 games in the regular season in 1991-92, when it went 14-4.

Yarmouth’s skid hit six games last week with losses at Cape Elizabeth (42-35) and at home to Wells (44-22). Clementine Blaschke had 18 points against the Capers. The Clippers 4-11 and ninth in Class B South (where only nine teams make the playoffs) were at Old Orchard Beach Wednesday and host Poland Tuesday of next week.

NYA moved up to seventh in Class C South and improved to 8-6 after downing visiting Hyde (44-12) and Seacoast Christian (63-41) last week. After hosting Buckfield Tuesday, the Panthers are at St. Dom’s Friday. They welcome Sacopee Valley Tuesday of next week.

Boys’ hockey

Greely’s boys’ hockey team extended its win streak to nine after home victories last week over Yarmouth (5-1) and Kennebunk (5-1). In the win over the Clippers, Jake MacDonald had a hat trick, while Matt Kramlich and Andy Moore also scored.

“We knew Yarmouth is a big rival and we wanted to keep things simple and produce,” said MacDonald. “That (first goal) gave us the momentum and that really helped us out.”

“The guys were very focused,” said longtime Rangers coach Barry Mothes. “The tempo was great. I wish I could package that and roll it out the door every 15 minutes.”

Against the Rams, MacDonald, Ben Kennedy, Peter Lattanzi, Quinn Molloy and Jackson Williams all had goals. Greely (9-1 and first in the Class B South Heals) hosted Gorham Wednesday, go to Class A South power Biddeford Saturday and visit Maranacook Tuesday of next week.

Yarmouth got a goal from Cooper May in its loss to Greely, but couldn’t recover from an early deficit.

“(Greely’s) a very good hockey team with a lot of firepower,” said Yarmouth coach Dave St. Pierre. “We tried to lock it down defensively and get the puck in safe places and hold them off.”

The Clippers then fell to 5-4-1 and fourth in Class B South after Saturday’s 2-0 loss at St. Dom’s. Yarmouth goes to Brunswick Friday, hosts Cape Elizabeth Saturday and plays at Edward Little Wednesday of next week.

In Class A South, Falmouth downed host Portland/Deering (9-2) last week, then lost at York Monday, 4-2.. In the victory, Theo Hembre had three goals and Brendan Hickey added a pair.

“Every night, somebody different sparks us,” Hickey said. “All three lines are rolling, our defenders are playing great and our freshman goalie is playing out of his mind.”

“It’s our first week of being fully healthy all season,” said Yachtsmen coach Deron Barton. “We had injuries and sickness the first half and we had a lot of young players finding their stride. I gave them minutes and the results speak for themselves.” 

Falmouth (8-5-1 and third in the standings) has a state game rematch Saturday night at home versus Lewiston (see theforecaster.net for game story) and welcomes Cheverus Tuesday.

Girls’ hockey

On the girls’ side, the Greely/Gray-New Gloucester co-op squad increased its win streak to eight games last Wednesday when it downed visiting Brunswick, 5-0, behind Danielle Holt’s hat trick. Saturday, Greely/Gray-NG lost at Lewiston, 6-1, to fall to 13-2 and third in the North Region. Bridget Rogers had the lone goal. Greely/Gray-NG hosted Yarmouth/Freeport Tuesday, welcomes two-time defending state champion St. Dom’s Thursday, the closes the regular season Friday with a makeup game at St. Dom’s.

The Yarmouth/Freeport co-op team was 3-12-1 and seventh in the North Region, where only six teams make the playoffs, following Saturday’s 9-0 loss at St. Dom’s. Yarmouth/Freeport was at Greely/Gray-NG Tuesday and closes with a home game versus Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/South Portland Saturday.

In the South Region, Falmouth began the week 5-9-1 and sixth after a 3-0 home win over York and a 6-3 home loss to Cheverus/Kennebunk. Stone Carmichael, Kyla Gallup and Beatrice Johnson all had goals in the victory. The Yachtsmen hosted Brunswick Wednesday, go to Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/SP Thursday and close at home against Lewiston Saturday.

The girls’ hockey playoffs begin next Wednesday with the quarterfinals on the home ice of the higher seeds.

Indoor track

Falmouth had its final indoor track regular season meet last week, joining Scarborough, Westbrook and Windham. The Yachtsmen boys and girls were both second to the Red Storm.

The boys’ team got wins from Michael Smoluk in the junior 400 (58.56 seconds), Alvaro Fuentes in the junior 55 hurdles (9.02) and the junior high jump (5 feet, 8 inches), Joshua Bradford in the junior shot put (39-9.75), Conner Piers in the open two-mile (10 minutes, 9 seconds) and its junior 4×200 (1:38.88), open 4×400 (3:59.12) and open 4×800 (10:15.17) relay teams.

Girls’ first-place finishers included Abbie Ryer in the junior 55 (8.01), junior 200 (28.85) and junior triple jump (29-10.5), Sophie Marcotte in the senior 200 (27.12) and senior long jump (16-1.5), Sydney Williams in the senior 55 hurdles (10.39), Malaika Pasch in the open mile (5:25.45) and their junior 4×200 relay team (1:55.02).

Next up for Falmouth is the Southwestern Maine Activities Association championship meet Saturday, Feb. 10.

In the Western Maine Conference, Greely’s boys and girls swept a six-team league meet last weekend. 

The boys got wins from Naveen Caron in the junior 55 (7.22) and junior 200 (25.37), Cole Bubblo in the junior shot put (35-4.5), Darien Drouin in the senior 400 (58.01), Gavin Poperechny in the senior 55 hurdles (8.65), Nicolas Brown in the senior high jump (5-8), Adam Bruder in the open 800 (2:12.82), Luke Marsanskis in the open mile (4:51.25), Caleb Thurston in the open two-mile (10:29.05), Justin Fairbanks in the open pole vault (8-6), Sean Richard in the open long jump (18-2.5) and their senior 4×200 (1:41.05) and open 4×800 (8:43.79) relay teams.

Girls’ first-place finishers included Chloe Waldrep in the senior 400 (1:08.40), Elizabeth Brown in the senior high jump (5-0), Carolyn Todd in the open two-mile (11:58.29), Maggie McCormick in the open pole vault (9-0) and the open 4×800 relay team (10:26.38). 

Freeport’s boys came in second and the girls were fifth. The girls got wins from Maya Bradbury in the open mile (5:29.79), Tara Migliaccio in the senior 55 (7.98) and Shaina Curry in the junior high jump (4-6). 

NYA’s boys and girls both placed sixth.

Yarmouth took part in an eight-team meet and both the boys and girls were fifth. Gabby Colby-George won the girls’ senior shot put (33-3.25). Anneka Murrin won the girls’ open mile (5:33.67). Paige Reinfelder was first in the open pole vault (7-6). Michael McNeil won the boys’ junior shot put (39-2.5). Luke Laverdiere was first in the open two-mile (9:25.09). 

In Friday’s regular-season ending league meets, Freeport and Yarmouth join Cape Elizabeth, Fryeburg Academy, Gray-New Gloucester, Lake Region and Lisbon/St. Dom’s, while Greely and NYA meet up with Poland, Traip Academy, Wells and York.

Swimming

In the pool, Greely split a meet with Thornton Academy last week, as the girls prevailed, 104-74, and the boys lost, 79-61.

Yarmouth swept Windham, as the boys prevailed, 97-69, and the girls won, 114-43.

Team scores for Falmouth’s meet at Bonny Eagle weren’t available at press time.

The regular season comes to a close this week, as Greely was at Cony Tuesday and hosts Bonny Eagle Saturday, Falmouth swims at Waynflete Friday and Yarmouth welcomes Maine Girls’ Academy Friday.

Skiing

On the slopes, Yarmouth’s girls won a six-team giant slalom meet at Shawnee Peak Monday. Maddie Marston led the way by placing fourth with a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 8.50 seconds. Greely was third and featured Elizabeth Hanson’s fifth-place individual finish (1:08.53). Freeport/Brunswick didn’t score as a team, but Isabella St. Cyr had the 10th-best time (1:11.51).

In the boys’ meet, won by Cape Elizabeth, Yarmouth came in second, Freeport/Brunswick was third and Greely placed sixth. Individually, the Clippers were paced by Alex Hall (seventh, 1:05.76), the Falcons were led by Parker Landsbergen (fifth, 1:04.72) and the Rangers’ top finisher was Alexander Richard (third, 1:04.44). 

The Falmouth/Waynflete co-op boys’ team won a six-team slalom meet Monday. A.J. Noyes was the top individual (1:41.74). 

The girls’ meet was won by Marshwood. Falmouth/Waynflete was second. The team was led by Caroline Keller (third, 2:10.05).

On the Nordic side, local teams took part in the Sassi Memorial at Black Mountain. 

Yarmouth won the girls’ meet by two points over Maine Coast Waldorf. Freeport finished fifth and Falmouth was 12th. Yarmouth’s Sophia Laukli was the individual winner in 14 minutes, 25.7 seconds. Olivia Skillings paced MCW by coming in second in 15:25. The Falcons were paced by Lily Horne (fourth, 16:31.4). The Yachtsmen were led by Eva Clement (17th, 17:33.3). Greely didn’t score as a team, but Sam Galbraith had the 99th-best time (24:36.9).

The boys’ meet was won by Maranacook. MCW came in third, Yarmouth was fourth, Freeport placed fifth, Falmouth came in sixth and Greely wound up 17th. Nick Neveu of MCW was the top local finisher, placing second in 13:43.8. The Falcons were paced by John Giddens (ninth, 14:27.5). Simon Pratico led the Yachtsmen with an 11th-place showing (14:32.9). Grady Walsh paced the Clippers with a 22nd-place finish (15:07.9). The Rangers were led by Nate Colavolpe (56th, 16:55.4).

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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