(Ed. Note: For the complete Falmouth-Scarborough girls’ hockey game story, with additional photos and a box score, please visit theforecaster.net)

The end game of the winter sports season is near.

While the regular season continues in basketball and hockey, championship time is right around the corner in track, swimming and skiing.

Here’s a look at what happened last week and a glimpse at what’s to come:

Boys’ basketball

The Western Class B boys’ basketball race continues to feature everyone chasing top-ranked, undefeated Falmouth.

Last weekend, the Yachtsmen improved to 14-0 with wins at Wells (70-36) and at home over Poland (67-42). Thomas Coyne had 16 points and Nick Burton and Tom Wilberg 13 apiece in the victory over the Warriors. Against the Knights, Charlie Fay had 19 points, while Jake Horning added a dozen. Falmouth was at Lake Region Tuesday, welcomes Wells in a rematch Friday and closes the regular season next week with a showdown at York Tuesday and a home game versus defending Class B champion Yarmouth.

The Clippers are up to ninth in the region with an 8-6 record and are riding a three-game win streak following weekend victories over visiting Traip (77-54) and host Freeport (94-41). David Murphy went off for 26 points against Traip (Adam LaBrie had 18 and Nate Shields-Auble 15). In the win over the Falcons, Shields-Auble led the way with 15 points, Labrie added 14 and Christian Henry scored a dozen. Yarmouth had a home showdown with Greely Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), welcomes Poland in the home finale Friday and closes with games at Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth.

Greely began the week in the No. 7 spot, also at 8-6, after splitting two games last weekend. Friday, the Rangers downed visiting Gray-New Gloucester, 64-45, behind 15 points and 15 boards from Mike McDevitt, 14 points from Connor Hanley and 11 points and 11 rebounds from Bailey Train. Saturday, Greely stumbled at Fryeburg, 46-37, despite McDevitt’s 19 points. The Rangers were at Yarmouth Tuesday, play host to Lake Region Friday, visit Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday of next week and close the regular season at home versus Cape Elizabeth Feb. 8.

Freeport earned its second win of the season Friday, 62-56, at Poland, behind 23 points from Chandler Birmingham. Saturday, the Falcons lost to visiting Yarmouth, 94-41 (Birmingham again had 23 points), to fall to 2-12 on the season (17th in the Heals). Freeport was at Fryeburg Tuesday, goes to Traip Friday, hosts Poland Tuesday of next week and finishes the year Feb. 8 at Old Orchard Beach.

In Western C, North Yarmouth Academy suffered a 71-52 home loss to Hyde last Tuesday, but bounced back Saturday to handle visiting Sacopee, 74-34, to improve to 5-9 and 12th in the Heals (the top 11 teams make the playoffs). In the loss, Chase Gendron had 20 points. Against the Hawks, Gendron scored 23 points, while El Tayeb Dahia added 16. The Panthers hosted Greater Portland Christian School Wednesday, welcome top-ranked Waynflete Friday and close next week at Buckfield and at home versus Traip.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Falmouth is peaking at the right time. The Yachtsmen balanced their record at 7-7 and extended their win streak to three games last weekend after edging visiting Wells (32-30) and downing host Poland (55-43). Dayna Vascancelos scored 15 points against the Warriors. Ally Hickey had 22 points versus the Knights. Falmouth (11th in the Western B Heals) had a home showdown with defending regional champion Lake Region Tuesday, visits Wells Friday and closes next week with a home game versus York and a trip to Yarmouth.

The Clippers earned their first victory of the season Friday, 56-49, at Traip. Shannon Fallon had 17 points and Sean Cahill and Grace O’Donnell each had 12. Saturday, Yarmouth fell to 1-13 and 18th in the standings with a 60-43 loss at Freeport (O’Donnell had 20 points). The Clippers hosted Greely Tuesday (see theforecaster.net for game story), go to Poland Friday and close next week at home versus Cape Elizabeth and Falmouth.

Greely bounced back from a loss to York with a dramatic 44-41 overtime win at Gray-New Gloucester Friday. Jaclyn Storey had 15 points and Ashley Storey added 10. Saturday, the Rangers improved to 12-2 with a 35-25 home win over Fryeburg (both Storeys had 11 points). Greely (fourth in Western B) was at Yarmouth Tuesday, goes to Lake Region Friday, welcomes Gray-New Gloucester for its home finale Tuesday of next week, then closes at Cape Elizabeth Feb. 8.

Freeport improved to 8-6 with wins last weekend over visiting Poland (62-35) and Yarmouth (60-43). Nina Davenport had 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Aubrey Pennell and Ashley Richardson both added 10 points against the Knights. In the win over the Clippers, Davenport went off for 31 points. The Falcons (ninth in the standings) hosted Fryeburg Tuesday, welcome Traip Friday, go to Poland Tuesday of next week and close at home versus Old Orchard Beach Feb. 8.

In Western C, NYA began the week 3-10 and 15th in the standings (only the top 13 teams make the playoffs) after going 1-2 last week. The Panthers sandwiched losses at Hyde (57-37) and Sacopee (47-26) around a 47-32 victory at Hebron. Chloe Leishman had 16 points against the Phoenix, Hannah Carr had 18 points and Leishman 16 in the victory and Carr and Leishman finished with 10 apiece in the loss to the Hawks. NYA was home with Greater Portland Christian School Wednesday, welcomes Waynflete Friday, Buckfield Tuesday and closes at home versus Traip Feb. 8.

Boys’ hockey

While the big boys’ hockey news this week involved defending Class B champion Greely forfeiting victories over St. Dom’s and Yarmouth (please see story), on the ice, the Rangers continue to impress. Greely enjoyed a 6-3 win at Biddeford Saturday, behind a hat trick from Kevin Hart and two goals from Reid Howland. The Rangers (who have an adjusted record of 7-4, good for second behind Camden Hills in the Western B Heals) hosts Leavitt Thursday and has a state final rematch at Messalonskee Saturday. 

Yarmouth was the big winner in the Greely forfeit story as it earned a win over the Rangers and ample Heal Points to boot. The Clippers improved to 4-6-2 (good for fourth in Western B) with a 4-1 home victory over Leavitt Saturday. Yarmouth was home with Marshwood Wednesday and visits Leavitt Saturday.

In Western A, Falmouth remains second behind Scarborough after improving to 9-2 with a 7-2 win at Thornton Academy Saturday (the Yachtsmen’s first game in two weeks). Falmouth goes to Biddeford Saturday.

Girls’ hockey

On the girls’ side, all three local teams would make the playoffs if they began today.

In the East Region, defending state champion Greely began the week third with a 12-2-1 mark after a 6-0 home win over Winslow Saturday. Meg Finlay and Mary Morrison both had two goals. The Rangers were at Falmouth in a state final rematch Wednesday and close at home with Leavitt Saturday.

Yarmouth/Freeport began the week 5-10-1 and in possession of the fifth and final playoff berth. The Clippers dropped a 4-1 decision at Brunswick Friday despite a goal from Ariel Potter. Yarmouth/Freeport went to Winslow Wednesday and closes at home versus Mt. Ararat Saturday.

Falmouth fell to 11-6 and third after a 5-1 loss at Scarborough Saturday. The Yachtsmen struck first on a first period goal from Alyse Bazinet and outshot the Red Storm, but couldn’t take advantage and were denied 30 times by Scarborough goalie Devan Kane. 

“It’s a bit of a bump in the road,” said Carrier. “We’ve been hampered by illness and injury. I thought we played well for two periods and the third got away from us. We didn’t have the same type of effort in the third. That’s a little disappointing. We have to make better passes and better decisions. It cost us a couple goals. Offensively, we were a little hesitant at times shooting the puck. We just weren’t making decisions quickly enough.”

Falmouth finished at Greely Wednesday, then turns its attention toward another playoff run.

“We’re pretty much locked into third place,” Carrier said. “We’re focusing more on playing well and less on the end result.”

The playoffs begin with the quarterfinals Wednesday. The semifinals are Friday and Saturday (both rounds will be played on the home ice of the higher seed). The regional final is Feb. 13 at Portland Ice Arena. The state final is Feb. 16 in Lewiston.

Indoor track

Greely’s indoor track program swept an eight-team league meet last weekend. Freeport’s girls were runners-up with NYA placing seventh. In the boys’ meet, the Falcons were fifth and the Panthers sixth.

Individually, Greely’s boys got wins from Chris Perry in the junior 200 (25.29 seconds), Jacob Isaacson in the senior 55 (6.93), Chance Carr in the senior 55 hurdles (8.68), James Ferrar in the senior shot put (43 feet, 1 inch), Ben Ray in the pole vault (8-6), Ben Giffard in the open long jump (18-1.25) and its junior (1 minute, 44.1 second) and senior (1:42.03) relays. Freeport’s Harrison Stivers took the senior 400 (53.99). NYA’s Benjamin Claytor won the senior high jump (5-2).

In the girls’ meet, Greely got wins from Hannah Keisman in the junior 200 (28.02), Jocelyn Mitiguy in the junior 55 hurdles (9.48) and the junior high jump (4-7), Alyssa Casarez in the junior shot put (29-10), Kaley Sawyer in the senior 55 hurdles (9.82), triple jump (35-2.5) and the senior high jump (4-8), Gwen Sawyer in the senior shot put (36-5.25), Jess Wilson in the 800 (2:24.0), Kirstin Sandreuter in the two-mile (11:19.28) and its junior (1:55.02) and senior (1:56.69) relays. Freeport winners included Chloe Hight in the junior 400 (1:07.06) and Ciera Wentworth in the mile (5:47.99). NYA’s Muriel Adams was runner-up in the junior shot put (26-8.25).

In the other meet last weekend, both Falmouth teams were second to York. Yarmouth’s girls finished third and the boys placed fifth.

Individually, Falmouth’s boys got wins from Andy Clement in the junior 55 hurdles (8.43) and the junior 200 (25.63), Spencer Brown in the junior 400 (55.21), Tony St. Angelo in the junior high jump (5-8), Jacob Buhelt in the senior 55 (6.85), Max Pacetti in the senior shot put (38-10) and its senior 800 relay (1:37.32). Yarmouth’s 3,200 relay team came in first (9:39.68).

In the girls’ meet, Yachtsmen winners included Kiersten Dyhrberg in the junior shot put (30-0), Maggie Seitz in the senior 200 (29.18), Madeline Roberts in the two-mile (12:02.15), Charlotte Cutshall in the open long jump (15-8) and their senior relay (1:55.91). The Clippers got wins from Emma Egan in the junior 200 (28.45) and junior 400 (1:04.35). 

The final meet of the regular season is Friday at USM. NYA and Yarmouth join Gray-New Gloucester, Hyde, Lake Region, Poland and Wells in the early meet. Falmouth, Freeport and Greely vie with each other, along with Cape Elizabeth, Fryeburg, Lisbon, Traip and York.

The conference championship meet is Feb. 8. The Class B state championship meet is Feb. 18, at Bates College in Lewiston.

Swimming

In the pool, Greely’s reigning defending Class B boys’ champion enjoyed a 96-50 win at Westbrook Saturday. Falmouth took part in a three-team meet with Cape Elizabeth and South Portland. The Capers had 123 points, the Yachtsmen 105 and the Red Riots 78. Yarmouth was a 91-73 winner at Portland.

On the girls’ side, Greely defeated Westbrook, 111-33, Falmouth lost to Cape Elizabeth (125-54) and Yarmouth defeated Portland, 87-80.

Greely was home with South Portland Tuesday. Yarmouth will compete in the south division Southwesterns Friday (boys) and Saturday (girls) at Cape Elizabeth. Falmouth and Greely will vie for the top spot in the north division Southwestern the following weekend at Westbrook.

The Class B state meet is in Orono this year. The boys compete Feb. 18. The girls’ meet is Feb. 19.

Skiing

Local Nordic skiers competed in the Sassi Memorial Saturday at Black Mountain.

Merriconeag’s girls came in first, while Yarmouth finished second. Individually, Merriconeag’s Zoe Chace-Donahue finished ninth (18 minutes, 7.07 seconds). Freeport’s Elizabeth Martin placed 10th (18:12.5). The Clippers were paced by Sarah Becker (12th, 18:20.1).

Gould Academy won the boys’ meet, while Merriconeag finished fourth and Falmouth fifth. Individually, Yarmouth’s Braden Becker was the top local skier (ninth, 15:01.3). Falmouth’s Jay Lesser came in 10th (15:08.4). Freeport’s Eli McCurdy placed 11th (15:08.9). Merriconeag was led by Jack Pierce (13th, 15:18.0).

Yarmouth dueled with Cape Elizabeth, Kennebunk and Marshwood in a joint Western Maine Conference/Southwestern Maine Activities Association giant slalom meet Monday at Shawnee Peak. The Clippers boys were second to Cape Elizabeth, while the girls were runners-up behind Marshwood. Individually, Yarmouth was paced by Drew Grout (second among the boys with a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 3.11 seconds) and Julia Primeau (girls’ runner-up, 1:09.97).

Freeport and Greely joined Fryeburg and Windham for a slalom meet Monday. The Falcons were first and the Rangers second in the boys’ competition. Greely’s Sam Perlmutter was first individually (1:22.93). Freeport was paced by Caleb Abbott (third, 1:29.02). The Rangers won the girls’ meet with the Falcons third. Individually, Greely’s Elyse Dinan (1:33.38), Teal Otley (1:37.05) and Jordan Ouellette (1:37.32) went 1-2-3. Freeport was paced by Taylor Enrico (fifth, 1:39.65).

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

Sidebar Elements

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Yarmouth junior Max Watson races past a Leavitt defender during the Clippers’ 4-1 home win over Leavitt Saturday.

Falmouth freshman Sarah Hutcheon races up the ice with the puck during Saturday’s 5-1 loss to top-ranked Scarborough.

North Yarmouth Academy’s Benjamin Claytor soars to a first-place finish in the high jump (5 feet, 2 inches) at last weekend’s league meet.

Freeport’s Ciera Wentworth took top honors in the girls’ mile last weekend.