(Ed. Note: For the full Cape Elizabeth-Greely boys’ basketball game story, please visit theforecaster.net)

After a brief hiatus for holiday play, local winter sports teams have turned their attention to the resumption of the regular season. Here’s a glimpse at what happened last week and what’s to come now that the calendar has flipped to 2011.

Boys’ basketball

Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and South Portland’s boys’ basketball teams all took part in the 25th anniversary Portland High holiday tournament at the Portland Expo.

This year’s tourney suffered a cancellation of games last Monday due to a snowstorm and with the Maine Red Claws claiming the Expo on Tuesday and Thursday nights, only one evening was available, keeping crowds down and preventing the normal format leading to a champion.

Cape Elizabeth split its two games, edging Gorham, 56-52 (senior Theo Bowe had 19 points and classmate Cam Brown added 14), then falling to Westbrook, 55-42 (Bowe had 14 points, Brown 13).

Scarborough lost to Greely (46-41) and Cheverus (48-30), then edged Deering, 39-37. Senior Zach Bean had 15 points and sophomore Dillon Russo added 13 versus the Rangers. Bean had 13 points against the Stags.

South Portland played three holiday games and won a pair. The Red Riots dropped a 46-45 decision to Mountain Valley (sophomore Ben Burkey had 10 points), then downed Greely, 68-37 (senior sharpshooter Vukasin Vignjevic had five first half 3-pointers and ended with 19 points) and Susan Wagner of New York (53-50).

Teams are back in league action and all have reason for optimism.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth, winners of its first four games, before a stunning 23-point home loss to Yarmouth four days prior to Christmas, returned to the court Tuesday at rival Greely and enjoyed a 55-41 win behind a career-high 34 points from Bowe and 24 forced turnovers.

“This is a great win,” said Bowe. “It’s big for Heal Points. It’s a great feeling for the team as a whole. We like playing against the best. Greely’s a great team. We spread the ball around. Everyone hit open shots. That’s the best we’ve played this year, team wise. Especially on the defensive end. We had great ballhandling presence of mind. We ran our offense and no one forced anything. We were patient and didn’t force it.” 

“This is a huge confidence builder,” added Capers coach Jim Ray. “The kids know anything’s possible.”

Cape Elizabeth (5-1 and fourth in the latest Heal Points standings) is back in action Friday when it hosts vastly improved Gray-New Gloucester. The Capers have another tough test Tuesday of next week in Falmouth.

In Western A, Scarborough has been a pleasant surprise. The Red Storm won their first five outings, then dropped a heartbreaking 32-31 overtime decision at Westbrook Tuesday, on a late 3-pointer. Bean had 14 points in defeat. Scarborough (second to Cheverus in the Heals) goes to Biddeford Friday and hosts South Portland Tuesday.

Speaking of the Red Riots, who have also surprised, they suffered their first loss and fell to 4-1 Tuesday after a 57-40 loss at Marshwood. Junior Jordan Muller led the team with 13 points. Vignjevic added 12. South Portland (seventh in Western A) hosts Noble Friday, then goes to Scarborough Tuesday.

In Western D, Greater Portland Christian School took a 1-3 record and the No. 12 ranking into Wednesday’s game at Sacopee. After hosting Seacoast Christian Thursday, the Lions are at Calvary Chapel Saturday and visit A.R. Gould next Wednesday.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Cape Elizabeth and South Portland played in holiday tournaments.

The Capers lost their lone game at the Portland High tournament, 56-48, to Susan Wagner of New York.

The Red Riots played in the Gorham Christmas tournament and went 3-0, defeating Waynflete (48-47), Wells (53-31) and Yarmouth (64-18).

Those teams, along with defending Class A champion Scarborough and GPCS, are now back in league action.

In Western A, South Portland (which gave powerhouse Deering a scare prior ot the break) evened its record at 3-3 Tuesday night with a 48-42 home win over Marshwood. Senior Abby Hasson led the way with 16 points and sophomore Danica Gleason and promising freshman Brianne Maloney both added nine. The Red Riots (sixth in the Heals) go to Noble Friday, then host Scarborough Tuesday of next week.

The Red Storm have had a vastly different experience in 2011. After graduating virtually every player who saw key minutes from last year’s undefeated championship squad, Scarborough dropped its first five games, including a frustrating 39-34 home loss to rival Biddeford two days before Christmas. Tuesday, the Red Storm got in the win column, downing visiting Westbrook, 54-33, behind 13 points from sophomore Marisa O’Toole and 10 from junior Brittany Bona. Scarborough (17th in the latest standings, but ripe to move up) goes to undefeated McAuley Friday, then visits South Portland Tuesday.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth has been a pleasant surprise with a relatively new team. The Capers won four of their five games on the 2010 portion of their slate, but fell to 4-2 Tuesday after a 50-27 loss at Greely. Senior Emily Donovan led the way with 10 points. Cape Elizabeth (eighth in the standings) goes to Gray-New Gloucester Friday, then visits Falmouth Tuesday.

In Western D, GPCS took a 1-2 mark (and the No. 14 ranking in the Heals) into Wednesday’s game at Sacopee, its first game in 18 days. The Lions hosted Seacoast Thursday and go to Calvary Chapel Saturday.

Boys’ hockey

As was the case with the basketball tournaments, hockey’s long-standing Maine High School Hockey Invitational, featuring teams from throughout the East Coast and even Canada, was affected by weather.

Cape Elizabeth, Scarborough and South Portland were able to take part, however.

The Capers lost to two Massachusetts teams, Belmont (6-0) and Lowell (2-1) and also played Berlin (N.H.), but the score from that game was unavailable.

The Red Storm went 2-0, downing Newington/Berlin of Connecticut (4-3) and Hampton of New Brunswick (4-0).

The Red Riots lost to Gorham (6-3) and Cumberland of Rhode Island (4-3). They also played Tewksbury of Massachusetts, but that score was unavailable.

Cape Elizabeth returned to league play Tuesday, routing Westbrook, 9-3, to improve to 3-3. Junior Nick Breed exploded for five goals. The Capers take a three-game winning streak (and the No. 2 spot behind Greely in the Western B Heal Points standings) into Friday’s game at Camden. Next Thursday brings a home showdown against defending regional champion York.

In Western A, Scarborough took a 1-3 mark (and the No. 14 ranking) into Thursday’s game at Portland. The Red Storm are at Kennebunk next Wednesday.

South Portland went 2-3 during its difficult pre-Christmas schedule. The Red Riots (third in the Heals) play at undefeated Class B power Greely Saturday night.

Girls’ hockey

On the girls’ side, Scarborough is third in the West region with a 5-1-1 mark entering Wednesday’s home game versus Gorham. The Red Storm went to Cape Elizabeth Thursday, host defending state champion Cheverus, go to Biddeford Monday and play at Edward Little Wednesday.

The Capers’ co-op squad with Waynflete was 2-6 (and seventh in the West) entering Thursday’s game against Scarborough.

Track

The indoor track regular season will commence this weekend.

Friday, at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham, Cape Elizabeth competes against Greely, Poland, Traip, Yarmouth and York.

Saturday, at the Portland Expo, Scarborough and South Portland will face each other, as well as Biddeford and McAuley.

The Red Storm had a solid showing at last week’s New Year’s Relays at USM. Orin James won the boys’ high jump relay (5 feet, 8 inches). Emelia Scheemaker took the girls’ triple jump relay (35-1.5). Tom Hague won the boys’ mile (4 minutes, 37.67 seconds). Nicole Kirk took the girls’ 55 (7.66 seconds). Scarborough won the boys’ 1,600 sprint medley (3:40.32), the boys’ 800 relay (1:36.91) and the girls’ 1,600 relay (4;31.53).

South Portland also took part. Adrian Reid won the boys’ 55 (6.74) and the Red Riots captured the boys’ 3,200 relay (9:19.70).

Swimming

Cape Elizabeth’s swim team goes to Westbrook Friday. Scarborough joins McAuley at Cheverus. South Portland is home against Deering. The Red Riots hosted Sanford last week. The boys won, 84-45. The girls lost, 95-81.

Skiing

The Alpine ski season began Monday when Cape Elizabeth joined six other teams for a giant slalom meet. The Capers were third as a team on the boys’ side as junior Sam Barber came in first (49.01 seconds).

The Nordic season also began this week.

Wrestling

Scarborough’s wrestling team competed at the Noble Invitational and came in 23rd with 34 points. Mike Cyr won the 215-pound championship.

Cyr is currently ranked first in the SMAA in his weight class. Teammate Sam Wardwell (112-pounds) is also ranked and has yet to lose this winter.

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

Sidebar Elements

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Cape Elizabeth’s senior captain Emily Donovan races past the Yarmouth defense in the Capers’ final 2010 outing.

Cape Elizabeth sophomore Kisa Tabery battles with Yarmouth’s Grace O’Donnell during the Capers’ 44-21 win at the Clippers just before Christmas.