(For the complete Yarmouth-Traip Academy girls’ basketball game story, with photos, see theforecaster.net)

The winter sports campaign begins to wind down at the end of the week when the girls’ hockey regular season comes to a close, along with indoor track and swimming. Basketball, boys’ hockey and skiing won’t be far behind.

If that’s not enough, the Unified basketball season is underway as well.

Here’s a glimpse at where things stand as January gives way to the championship month of February.

Boys’ basketball

Three local boys’ basketball teams are in the hunt for the top seed in their respective region.

Greely had its eight-game win streak snapped Friday with a 66-52 setback at Marshwood. Matt McDevitt and Ryan Twitchell both had 13 points and Caleb Normandeau added 11, but it wasn’t enough. The Rangers (12-2 and first in the Class A South Heal Points standings at press time) had a showdown at defending Class B champion Cape Elizabeth Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcome Westbrook Saturday, host Kennebunk Tuesday of next week and close the regular season at Falmouth Feb. 4 in a game which will likely determine the region’s top seed for the playoffs.

Speaking of Falmouth, the Yachtsmen won two road games last weekend: 66-50 at Fryeburg Academy and 76-54 at Westbrook. Thomas Coyne had 23 points and Sam Skop 15 versus the Raiders. In the win over the Blue Blazes, Coyne erupted for 35 points and Colin Coyne added 17. Falmouth (11-3 and second in Class A South) was at York Tuesday, returns home Friday to battle Yarmouth, travels to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week, then closes at home versus Greely Feb. 4.

In Class B South, Yarmouth extended its win streak to four games last Tuesday with a 60-36 victory at Traip Academy (Aleksander Medenica had a game-high 12 points), then fell to 11-3 and second behind Lake Region in the Heals after a 50-49 overtime loss to visiting Cape Elizabeth Friday. Musseit M’Bareck hit a late foul shot to force the extra session and Bailey Darling had a team-high 10 points. The Clippers were home against Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, go to Falmouth Friday, visit Lake Region for a pivotal showdown Tuesday of next week and close at Wells Feb. 4.

Freeport was 2-12 and 12th in Class B South at press time (only nine teams make the playoffs) after losing a 74-50 home loss to Kennebunk extended its skid to nine. The Falcons were at Poland Tuesday, visit Wells Thursday, go to Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week and close at home versus Lake Region Feb. 4.

In Class C South, North Yarmouth Academy extended its win streak to three after downing visiting A.R. Gould (53-44) and host Buckfield (65-56). Jake Malcom had 22 points and Haven Cutko added 20 in the win over the Bears. Against the Bucks, Cutko had 30 points and the Panthers erased a five-point deficit heading for the fourth quarter. Saturday, NYA fell to 3-10 and 13th in the region (only 12 teams make the playoffs) after a 55-21 home loss to Old Orchard Beach. Cutko had 10 points and Malcom added nine. The Panthers hosted Richmond Tuesday, go to Sacopee Valley for a makeup game Thursday, host Sacopee Friday, visit Rangeley Tuesday of next week and close the regular season at home versus Seacoast Christian Feb. 4.

Girls’ basketball

Greely’s defending Class B state champion girls’ basketball team improved to 11-3 and third behind York and Fryeburg Academy in the Class A South Heal Points standings after Friday’s 83-42 home win over Marshwood. Anna DeWolfe had 34 points and Isabel Porter added 22. After hosting Cape Elizabeth in a regional final rematch Tuesday, the Rangers visit Westbrook Friday and Kennebunk Tuesday of next week before closing the regular season at Falmouth Feb. 4.

The Yachtsmen began the week 5-9 and 11th in Class A South (only nine teams qualify for the playoffs) after home losses to Fryeburg Academy (37-27) and Westbrook (34-30). Abby Ryan had 13 points against the Raiders and finished with 17 against the Blue Blazes. Falmouth was home with undefeated York Tuesday, visits Yarmouth Friday, plays host to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday of next week and closes at home against Greely Feb. 4.

In Class B South, Freeport and Yarmouth remain on track for a playoff berth.

The Falcons snapped a two-game skid with a 52-46 win at Kennebunk Friday. Regan Lynch and Taylor Rinaldi both had 12 points. Freeport (8-6 and sixth in the Heals) hosted Poland Tuesday, welcomes Wells Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story), plays at Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week and closes at home against Lake Region Feb. 4.

Yarmouth got the better of visiting Traip Academy last Tuesday, 46-35, as it never trailed and raced to an early 20-6 lead behind sharpshooting from Cory Langenbach and tremendous energy from Jessica Kirk. The Clippers led by 12 points at halftime, 22-10, but never could completely shake the Rangers, who pulled within eight, 36-28, heading for the fourth quarter. There, Yarmouth got a clutch 3 from Johanna Hattan and Alison Clark punctuated a strong effort by helping the Clippers put the win away.

Clark led all scorers with 16 points, Kirk and Langenbach had 10 apiece.

“We started out a little shaky, but we’ve come together and we’re playing as a team more,” Hattan said.

“We got a little bit sped up and we had to settle and play better defense,” Langenbach said. “We depend on our defense. We know the offense will come.”

“I think we’re just starting to believe we’re good,” added Yarmouth’s third-year coach Chris Strong. “It’s been a mental process. The juniors were part of the team when we had four wins. There’s a losing tradition here, but we’re learning we can win and compete.”

The Clippers fell to 7-7 and seventh in Class B South after a 45-41 loss at Cape Elizabeth, despite 14 points from Kirk and 11 from Clark. Yarmouth was home with Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, welcomes Falmouth Friday, goes to Lake Region Tuesday of next week. and closes at home versus Wells Feb. 4.

In Class C South, NYA fell to 1-12 and 19th (14 teams make the playoffs) after losses to visiting Hyde (36-29), host Buckfield (49-35) and visiting Old Orchard Beach (64-19). Maggie Larson had 19 points against the Phoenix. In the loss to the Seagulls, Larson and Zelda Clegg both had six points. The Panthers were home with Richmond Tuesday, go to Sacopee Valley for a makeup game Thursday, welcome Sacopee Valley Friday, visit Rangeley Tuesday and close at home against Seacoast Christian Feb. 4.

Unified basketball

Yarmouth kicked off the Unified basketball season Friday with a 41-32 loss at Lisbon. The Clippers are home with the new Deering/Portland co-op team Friday.

Greely plays its first game Saturday at home versus Westbrook. Tuesday, the Rangers host Brunswick.

Boys’ hockey

Yarmouth’s boys’ hockey team regained the top spot in the Class B South Heals after Saturday’s 4-3 home win over York and Monday’s 6-1 victory at Leavitt. Two late goals from Walter Conrad erased a third period lead. Cooper May and Patrick Grant also tickled the twine. Monday, the Clippers improved to 11-2 behind two goals from Grant and one apiece from Conrad, May, Noah Grondin and Joe Truesdale. Yarmouth is idle until Tuesday when it visits Falmouth.

Greely improved to 3-9 and ninth in Class B South (seven teams make the playoffs) after a 2-1 victory at Cape Elizabeth Saturday. Nathan Gervais and Jack Saffian both scored. The Rangers host Messalonskee Saturday and welcome Gorham Wednesday of next week.

Falmouth lost its second game in a row, 5-4, to visiting St. Dom’s last Thursday. Reece Armitage scored twice. Saturday, the Yachtsmen improved to 9-3 and second behind defending state champion Scarborough in the Class A South Heal Points standings after holding off visiting Bangor, 2-1, behind goals from Chris Camelio and Theo Hembre. Falmouth goes to Thornton Academy Saturday, hosts Yarmouth Tuesday and visits Biddeford Wednesday.

The South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport co-op team was 10th in Class A South with a 3-8-1 record following a 3-2 home loss to Massabesic and a 9-0 setback at Camden Hills.

Girls’ hockey

Greely’s girls’ hockey team took a 17-0 record into Wednesday’s regular season finale against visiting Scarborough (see theforecaster.net for game story). Last week, the Rangers won at Mt. Ararat/Morse (10-0) and Yarmouth/Freeport/GNG (6-2). Danita Storey had two goals in the latter victory. Monday, Greely (which will be the top seed in the North Region) won by a surprisingly decisive margin of 8-4 at St. Dom’s. Courtney Sullivan had four goals, Ellie Schad two and Storey and Bridget Roberts one apiece.

“We’ve been looking for the 45 minutes of good, strong, simple hockey and I think we got that tonight,” said Rangers coach Nate Guerin. “The challenge now is to keep that going forward.”

Yarmouth/Freeport/GNG lost at St. Dom’s (9-5) and at home to Greely (6-2) last week. Katie Clemmer had a hat trick against St. Dom’s. Clemmer and Kyaira Gordon had the goals against the Rangers. Monday, Yarmouth/Freeport/GNG improved to 6-10 and sixth in the North Region with a 2-1 victory at Winslow. Keeley Arnold and Clemmer had the goals. After playing at defending state champion Lewiston Wednesday, the regular season ends with a home game against Winslow Friday.

In the South Region, Falmouth suffered an agonizing 3-2 overtime loss at top-ranked, undefeated Scarborough Friday, then improved to 12-2-2 and second behind the Red Storm in the region with a 6-1 home victory over Biddeford Monday. Devon Sarazin scored twice against Scarborough, but the Red Storm tied the game with 47 seconds to go in regulation. In the win, Evie Clement and Sarah Hutcheon both scored twice, while Camden Carrier and Caroline Samaras had one apiece. The Yachtsmen hosted York Tuesday and welcome Cheverus in the regular season finale Saturday.

The playoffs begin Wednesday with the regional quarterfinals. The semifinals are Friday, Feb. 5. Both rounds will feature the higher seeds hosting. The regional finals are Wednesday, Feb. 10, at the Colisee in Lewiston. The state final is Saturday, Feb. 13 in Lewiston.

Indoor track

Last weekend’s penultimate Western Maine Conference indoor track meets brought more triumph to local runners, jumpers and throwers.

Greely swept an eight-team meet which also included NYA and Yarmouth. In the boys’ meet, the Rangers got first-place performances from Josh St. Pierre in the open triple jump (35 feet, 5 inches), Nathaniel Chapin in the open long jump (17-7), Gavin Poperechny in the open pole vault (8-6), Kyle Hansen in the open two-mile (10 minutes, 22.72 seconds), Max Stickney in the open mile (4:41.24), Ryan Morrison in the open 800 (2:02.91), Sam Jagolinzer in the junior 55 hurdles (9.61 seconds) and their junior 800 relay team (Nicolas Brown, Evan Wyman, Poperchny and Devlin O’Keefe, 1:49.03).

The Panthers came in third and got wins from Kieran Rowe in the junior shot put (31-10) and Xander Bartone in the senior 55 (6.77) and senior 400 (52.54).

The Clippers were fifth. Tucker Whitney took the senior high jump (5-2) and Ian Murrin won senior shot put (42-4)

In the girls’ meet, Greely got wins from Addy Traficonte in the junior 55 (8.03), Lizzie Brown in the junior 200 (29.46), junior shot put (31-7) and junior high jump (4-8), Jocelyn Mitiguy in the senior 55 hurdles (9.27) and Carolyn Todd in the open 800 (2:32.59), .

Yarmouth finished second and was paced by first-place finishers Sophie Walsh in the junior 400 (1:07.61) and junior 55 hurdles (10.0) and Emma Egan in the senior 55 (7.67), senior high jump (5-4) and senior 200 (27.25).

NYA was seventh. Linnea Hull won the open pole vault (7-0).

Falmouth and Freeport competed against each other and six other teams. The Yachtsmen won the girls’ meet and the Falcons placed fourth. Falmouth got wins from Caitlyn Camelio in the junior 200 (27.62), Malaika Pasch in the senior 800 (2:20.91), Hannah Berzini in the open two-mile (12:13.11), Lydia Farmer in the open long jump (15-9.5) and open triple jump (34-1) and its junior 800 (1:56.11) and senior 800 (1:55.04) relay teams.

Freeport was paced by winners Mikaela Fleenor in the senior 200 (29.22), Maddie Squibb in the senior 400 (1:03.52),

In the boys’ meet, Falmouth was second to York and Freeport came in fourth. The Yachtsmen got wins from Matt Polewaczyk in the senior 200 (23.41), Josh Simensky in the open 800 (2:04.11), Aaron Thomas in the open pole vault (12-6) and their senior 800 (1:33.87) and open 3,200 (9:08.37) relays.

The Falcons got wins from Erik Brobst in the open mile (4:45.61) and Henry Jaques in the open two-mile (9:55.70).

The WMC championship meet is Feb. 5. The Class B state meet is Feb. 13. The Class A state meet is Feb. 15.

Swimming

Greely’s boys swim team beat Deering Friday, 44-24, while the girls also beat the Rams, 53-41. The Rangers are home against Falmouth in the regular season finale Saturday.

The Yachtsmen took part in a three-team meet against Thornton Academy and Waynflete. In the boys’ meet, Falmouth had 103 points, which beat the Flyers (66), but trailed the Golden Trojans (119). In the girls’ meet, the Yachtsmen had 126 points to beat Thornton Academy (103) and Waynflete (59).

Yarmouth finishes its season Thursday against Gorham.

Skiing

Falmouth and Freeport joined Cheverus, Gorham and Gray-New Gloucester for an SMAA/WMC Alpine slalom meet at Shawnee Peak Monday.

In the boys’ meet, the Yachtsmen came in first while the Falcons were second. Falmouth was paced by Thomas Lesniak (who had a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 27.50 seconds) and Owen White (second, 1:31.61). Freeport’s top finisher was Griffin Agnese (ninth, 1:47.38).

Falmouth, which featured the top three individuals (Krysia Lesniak, 1:35.34, Alex Shapiro, 1:37.15, and Audrey Morin, 1:41.73) was first in the girls’ meet, while Freeport, which was led by (Kaia Williams, 11th, 2:27.45), came in third.

Sun Journal staff writer Wil Kramlich contributed to this story.

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

Sidebar Elements

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Yarmouth’s Jessica Kirk fires a 3-pointer during last week’s home win over Traip Academy.

North Yarmouth Academy’s Linnea Hull flies through the air in the triple jump as last weekend’s league meet. Hull placed sixth.

Freeport’s Erik Brobst races to victory in the boys’ mile Friday night.

Yarmouth’s Emma Egan wins the girls’ senior high jump last weekend.