Holiday tournament action was the theme for local basketball and hockey teams last week. Here’s a glimpse at how things went.

Boys’ basketball

Falmouth, Greely and Yarmouth’s boys’ basketball teams took part in the Yankee Ford Holiday Classic at the Portland Expo, which had a new format this year due to Maine Principals’ Association limitations on the number of non-countable dates.

The Yachtsmen (56-39 over Scarborough) and Rangers (42-39 over Westbrook) won their first contests, but lost the second (Falmouth fell 66-60 to Deering and Greely dropped a 50-49 decision to Transit Tech, N.Y.). The Yachtsmen then closed with a 62-50 loss to South Portland, while the Rangers fell 51-48 to Gorham.

The Clippers lost 52-36 to eventual champion Cheverus in their opener, downed Kennebunk 56-34 and toppled Scarborough 39-35.

Freeport competed in the Medomak Valley Holiday Classic in Waldoboro and dropped a pair of games, 71-31 to Lincoln Academy and 74-45 to Medomak Valley.

NYA didn’t play in a holiday tournament this year.

All five local teams have returned to league play. Falmouth (7-0 and second in the Western B Heal Points standings) faced a huge test at undefeated, two-time defending regional champion Cape Elizabeth Tuesday. Friday, the Yachtsmen host Fryeburg. Tuesday, they’re home with Wells.

Freeport (2-5 and 16th in Western B) played at Old Orchard Beach Tuesday, hosts Cape Elizabeth Saturday and visits Poland Tuesday.

Greely was supposed to play at Fryeburg Saturday, but that game was postponed until Monday when the Rangers rolled to a 47-31 win behind 12 points apiece from seniors Matt Dunn and Trevor Tierney. Greely (5-2 and sixth in the region) were at Wells Tuesday, host York Friday and welcome Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday.

NYA (2-5 and 14th in Western C) goes to Gray-New Gloucester Friday, visits Kents Hill Monday and hosts Yarmouth Tuesday.

Speaking of Yarmouth, it’s 4-3 and ninth in Western B. The Clippers were at Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, host Lake Region Friday and welcome NYA Tuesday.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Falmouth and Greely enjoyed success at the Portland High Holiday tournament.

The Yachtsmen downed Mountain Valley (49-28) and McAuley (42-37). Falmouth took a 5-2 mark (and the No. 7 ranking in Western B) to Cape Elizabeth Tuesday. The Yachtsmen go to Fryeburg Friday and visit Wells Tuesday.

The Rangers were a 61-33 victor over McAuley and a 56-27 winner over a team from New York over the holidays. Greely took a 7-0 mark (and the No. 3 ranking) into Tuesday’s home game versus Wells. Friday brings a huge test at undefeated, defending regional champion York. Tuesday, the Rangers go to Gray-New Gloucester.

Freeport is still seeking its first win. The Falcons (0-7 and 17th in Western B) hosted Old Orchard Beach Tuesday, go to Cape Elizabeth Friday and welcome Poland Tuesday.

Yarmouth competed in the Gorham Christmas Tourney and went 0-3, losing to Thornton Academy (57-35), Waynflete (52-35) and South Portland (60-40). The Clippers (2-5 and 14th in Western B) was home with Gray-New Gloucester Tuesday, visits Lake Region Saturday and hosts NYA Tuesday.

NYA is 2-4 and 14th in Western C. The Panthers host Gray-New Gloucester Friday, welcome Kents Hill Monday and visit Yarmouth Tuesday.

Hockey

Falmouth, Greely and North Yarmouth Academy’s boys’ hockey teams competed in the ninth annual Maine High School Hockey Invitational last week.

The Yachtsmen went 3-1, defeating Moses Brown, R.I. (8-0), Hanover, N.H. (4-2) and Chelmsford, Mass. (4-2) and losing 4-3 to North Haven, Conn.

Falmouth then beat Greely 4-2 on New Year’s Night to win the Dudley Cup for the 11th year in a row.

The Yachtsmen (3-2 in league play and third in the latest Western A Heals) visited Lewiston Wednesday, host Scarborough Saturday night and play at Biddeford Wednesday of next week.

The Rangers lost 5-2 to Amity, Conn., tied Belmont, Mass., 3-3, and fell 3-1 to Berlin, N.H. Greely is 3-2 in league play (and fourth in Western B). The Rangers go to Gardiner Thursday, host Winslow Saturday and play at Kennebunk next Wednesday.

NYA played three holiday games, losing 5-3 to Cumberland, R.I., 3-1 to Lewiston and tying Guilford, Conn., 2-2. The Panthers have returned to their prep schedule play.

Yarmouth didn’t take part in the tournament. The Clippers have gotten off to a spectacular start this winter, taking a 4-1 mark (and the No. 2 spot in Western B) into a game at Massabesic Thursday. Friday, Yarmouth hosts York.

On the girls’ side, Falmouth improved to 6-1-1 in league play (and second in the West Region Heals) with a 7-0 win at Yarmouth last Wednesday. On New Year’s Night, the Yachtsmen defeated Greely 4-1 to win the Dudley Cup. Sophomore Monica Aaskov led the way with two goals. Senior Rachel Mazerolle and sophomore Megan Fortier also scored. Senior Amber Aaskov had an assist, as did senior Julia Jordan. Freshman Paige Tuller scored for the Rangers. Falmouth was home with St. Dom’s Tuesday, hosts Brunswick Thursday and goes to Leavitt Saturday.

Greely is 3-6 on the year (and fifth in the East Region). The Rangers visited Lewiston Wednesday.

Yarmouth fell to 2-7 (and seventh in the East) with a 6-0 loss to York Monday. The Clippers hosted Winslow Wednesday and welcome Brunswick Saturday.

Track

The start of the 2010 indoor track season was postponed by snow from Saturday to Monday at the University of Southern Maine. Falmouth was first on the boys’ side and second in its girls’ meet. Yarmouth was fourth and Freeport fifth in the boys’ meet and Freeport finished fourth and Yarmouth sixth in the girls’ competition. Greely swept its competition, while NYA was fifth out of seven teams in both the boys’ and girls’ meets.

Swimming

Wednesday, Greely’s girls defeated McAuley, 61-33, in the pool. NYA competed against Windham. The boys fell 91-45 and the girls lost, 100-64.

Skiing

Having enough snow for the ski season is no longer an issue. Alpine and Nordic competition was scheduled to commence this week.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net

Falmouth senior Gabe Hoffman-Johnson skated around the goal looking for an open teammate during the Yachtsmen’s 4-2 victory over Chelmsford, Mass., in a holiday tournament game last week.

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Falmouth senior Dixon Pike celebrated a goal during the victory. The Yachtsmen went 3-1 in holiday play.

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