South Portland freshman Cora Boothby-Akilo goes up for two points during the undefeated Red Riots’ 50-28 win at Windham Monday.

Cape Elizabeth’s Liam Jacobson defies gravity, momentarily, during the Capers’ 48-44 home win over Yarmouth Tuesday night.

Cape Elizabeth’s Darcy Cochran wins the junior 55 hurdles in last week’s regular season opening meet.

(Ed. Note: For the complete Cape Elizabeth-Yarmouth boys’ basketball and Scarborough-Cheverus and South Portland-Windham girls’ basketball game stories, with photos, see theforecaster.net)

This winter might never end, but at least there are some compelling sports stories to keep us warm. A new year has brought much success and the best is yet to come.

Here’s a glimpse:

Boys’ basketball

Cape Elizabeth’s boys’ basketball team extended its win streak to seven games after downing visiting Brunswick (57-41) Friday and visiting Yarmouth (48-44) Tuesday. Against the Dragons, Andrew Hartel led the way with 14 points, while Finn Bowe and Tanner Carpenter each added 13. In the win over the Clippers, Bowe, Carpenter and Liam Jacobson all hit clutch 3s in the fourth quarter to break a tie and help the Capers go on to victory. Bowe had a team-high 13 points, Hartel added 12 and Carpenter finished with 11.

“(Yarmouth’s) a great team,” Bowe said. “It could have been anyone’s game, but we pulled away.” 

“We’ve been finding what works,” Carpenter said. “We have to spread the ball out more. Everyone has the green light.”

“It’s always close when we play Yarmouth,” Cape Elizabeth coach Jim Ray added. “We did better in the second half. We had a stretch in the fourth quarter where we had five defensive stops in a row. That really helps against a team like that.” 

The Capers (7-1) went to Lake Region Thursday and are idle until next Friday when they travel to York.

Two-time defending Class AA champion South Portland extended its win streak to five and improved to 7-1 after downing visiting Massabesic (62-33), Deering (64-50) and Windham (72-63). Against the Mustangs, Noah Malone had 18 points against the Mustangs. In the win over the Rams, Malone had 21 points and Liam Coyne added 14. Against the Eagles, Malone had 18 points, Connor Buckley added 15 and Coyne and Scott Lewis each finished with 14. The Red Riots had a state game rematch at two-time defending Class AA champion Portland Thursday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and visit Bonny Eagle Saturday.

Scarborough extended its win streak to five games with a 55-50 home victory over Cheverus and a historic 58-53 overtime triumph at Deering. Against the Stags, Nick Fiorillo led the way with 16 points. Against the Rams, in the Red Storm’s first-ever win at Deering and just their third in 18 all-time meetings with the Rams, Fiorillo led the way with 23 points, Tyler Gobeil added 11 and Brian Austin made a clutch 3 in the OT session. Scarborough (7-2) hosted Gorham Thursday, welcomes Portland Saturday and goes to Biddeford Monday.

Greater Portland Christian School fell to 0-6 after recent losses at Waynflete (88-19) and A.R. Gould (91-32). The Lions seek their first win Friday at A.R. Gould. They play at Forest Hills Saturday and welcome Seacoast Christian Wednesday of next week.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, South Portland improved to 8-0 after recent wins at Massabesic (49-26) and Windham (50-28). Meghan Graff had 17 points against the Mustangs and finished with 18 in the win over the Eagles.

“Our main goal is always to come out and get a good lead,” Graff said, after the win over Windham. “When we do that, we get into the game intensity-wise. A lot of teams want to beat us this year and every game, we have to be ready to play.”

“I thought that we ran really well in transition,” Red Riots coach Lynne Hasson said. “We made nice passes and got up and down the court. That set the tone early. That’s who we are. When we run, we’re pretty good.”

South Portland was at Portland Thursday and visits Maine Girls’ Academy Saturday afternoon (see theforecaster.net for game stories).

Scarborough extended its win streak to four games Tuesday with a 53-37 home win over Deering. Last Friday, the Red Storm eked out a 50-48 win at Cheverus as Madison Blanche had 12 points, including the go-ahead free throws late, Josie Couture added 11 and Sophie Glidden added 10.

“I was just thinking about practice where we shoot a ton of foul shots,” Blanche said. “I just focused and locked in.”

“We had a losing record to start the season, so we’re trying to win the rest of our games,” Glidden said. “We’ve had some good moments, but we can still improve.”

“It’s a nice win against a really good team,” added Red Storm coach Mike Giordano. “The kids didn’t cave at the end. This is a huge confidence builder.”  

Against Deering, Bella Dickinson led the way with 16 points, Blanche added 13 and Glidden finished with a dozen. Scarborough (6-3) hosts Windham Saturday and welcomes Biddeford Monday.

Cape Elizabeth lost, 72-25, at Brunswick last Friday, then fell to 3-5 Tuesday after a 49-36 loss at Yarmouth. Brooke Harvey had five points in the loss to the Dragons. Against the Clippers, Harvey and Isabel Brennan both scored 11 points. The Capers hosted Lake Region Thursday and welcome Falmouth Saturday. 

Boys’ hockey

Cape Elizabeth’s boys’ hockey team remained undefeated and improved to 7-0 after a 4-0 home win over Maranacook Saturday. Gus Frankwicz had two goals, while Oscar Frankwicz and Alec Riggle also lit the lamp. The Capers were at Gardiner Wednesday, visit Cony Saturday and Kennebunk Monday.

Cape Elizabeth’s Alex Glidden was named Class B South Forward of the Month and Derek Allen was named Class B South Defenseman of the Month for December.

Scarborough fell to 2-6 after a 7-1 loss at Biddeford Saturday. After welcoming Massabesic Friday, the Red Storm go to Cheverus for a makeup game Monday.

The South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport co-op team improved to 4-3 following a 4-1 win at Massabesic and a 5-2 victory at Brunswick. Caleb Rowland scored twice in the first victory. Against the Dragons, Aidan Schifano had two goals. South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport goes to Biddeford Monday. 

Girls’ hockey

The Cape Elizabeth/Waynflete/South Portland co-op team fell to 4-5 after losses last week at Cheverus (6-2) and at home to defending champion St. Dom’s (5-0). After going to Mt. Ararat/Morse Wednesday, the squad is home with York Saturday and plays at Portland/Deering Monday.

Scarborough fell to 3-7 after a 3-2 win at York and a 7-1 loss at two-time defending state champion St. Dom’s. The Red Storm welcome Falmouth Friday and play at Falmouth Monday.

Indoor track

Scarborough and South Portland took part in the Dartmouth Relays in New Hampshire last weekend. 

Red Riots standout Juliana Selser won the girls’ 800 in 2 minutes. 17.4 seconds.

The Red Storm girls saw Molly Murnane win the 55 in 7.39 seconds, Emily Labbe come in second in the 55 hurdles (8.51), Madison Marinko place fourth in the 55 hurdles (8.8), Anna Gardner come in sixth in the pole vault (9 feet), Bethany Sholl finish 12th in the mile (5:28.71) and Abbie Drapeau come in 59th in the 55 (8.2).

Scarborough’s boys were led by Jarret Flaker, who won the 55 in 6.52 and the 300 in 35.23. Anthony Clavette was fourth in the high jump (6-2) and 16th in the 55 hurdles (8.53). Drew Gardner placed fifth in the pole vault (13-0). Tristram Coffin was sixth in the two-mile (10:19.74). Connor Coffin finished ninth in the two-mile (10:28.83). Noah Drapeau was 12th in the 600 (1:27.87). Harrison Osborne placed 15th in the mile (4:51.27). Charlie Piper finished 29th in the 800 (2:17.76). 

South Portland’s Nathaniel Ellington was third in the shot put (44-6.5).

Scarborough’s boys and girls were both first in a four-team league meet earlier last week.

The boys got wins from Salvator DeBenedetto in the junior 55 (7.27 seconds), junior 200 (25.69) and junior long jump (18 feet, 4.25 inches), Tommy Stratis in the junior 400 (55.36) and junior high jump (5-8), Tristram Coffin in the junior 800 (2 minutes, 9.09 seconds), Alexander Callahan in the junior 55 hurdles (9.33), Ian Gott in the junior triple jump (35-7.75), Ben Hatch in the senior 55 (6.82), Flaker in the senior 200 (22.95) and senior 55 hurdles (8.09). Noah Drapeau in the senior 400 (54.18), Osborne in the senior 800 (2:08.51), Clavette in the senior high jump (5-10) and senior triple jump (39-3.25), Nathan Mars in the senior shot put (42-6.25), William Ducott in the open mile (5:08.77), Erik LoSacco in the two-mile (10:42.54), Gardner in the open pole vault (12-6) and their junior 4×200 (1:42.52), senior 4×200 (1:38.54) and open 4×400 (3:59.39) relay teams.

The Red Storm got first-place showings from Marinko in the junior 200 (28.42), junior 55 hurdles (9.08) and junior long jump (15-11.75), Nina Greeley in the junior 400 (1:09.28), Gardner in the junior high jump (4-10) and open pole vault (8-6), Murnane in the senior 55 (7.56) and senior 200 (26.91), Gaby Panagakos in the senior 400 (1:02.84) and their junior 4×200 (1:59.40), senior 4×200 (1:53.31) and open 4×400 (4:51.84) relays.

South Portland’s girls were runners-up, while the boys placed third. The Red Riots girls got wins from Traci Francis in the junior 55 (8.04), Anna Folley in the junior 800 (2:36.67), Iman Adem in the junior triple jump (28-4), Rebekah Hunnewell-Dunphe in the junior shot put (31-1.5),  The boys got a first-place finish from Ellington in the junior shot put (38-7.25).

Cape Elizabeth joined four other teams in a season-opening Western Maine Conference meet last week. The Capers boys placed fourth and the girls were fifth. The boys got wins from Joe Clancy in the junior shot put (37-6.75), Matthew Concannon in the senior 200 (24.48), Luc Houle in the senior shot put (43-5.25) and Ricky Perruzzi in the open two-mile (11:39.31). Girls’ first-place performers included Darcy Cochran in the junior 200 (27.38) and junior 55 hurdles (8.56), Kristen Penley in the open long jump (14-5.5) and their senior 4×200 relay team (1:57.50).  

Friday, Cape Elizabeth joins Greely, Lake Region, Lisbon, North Yarmouth Academy, St. Dom’s and York and Saturday, Scarborough competes against Biddeford, Cheverus and Massabesic and South Portland competes against Falmouth, Gorham and Kennebunk.

Swimming 

Cape Elizabeth’s swim teams continue to dominate, sweeping Bonny Eagle last week with the defending Class B state champion girls prevailing, 137-35, and the boys winning, 124-24.

The boys got wins from Rohan Freedman in the 50 free (23.11 seconds) and 200 free (1 minute, 52.78 seconds), Oliver Kraft in the 200 individual medley (2:16.14) and 100 butterfly (1:01.62), Sam Loring in the 100 free (53.09) and 100 breaststroke (1:10.88), Hajmil Carr in diving (111.10 points), Jacob Membrino in the 100 backstroke (1:06.56) and their 200 medley (1:55.01), 200 freestyle (1:41.76) and 400 freestyle (4:26.37) relay teams. 

Girls’ first-place finishers included Alicia Lawrence in the 50 free (25.13) and 200 free(2:07.54), Maddie McCormick in the 200 IM (2:37.68), Caroline Mahoney in the fly (1:02.90) and backstroke (57.87), Olivia Tighe in the 100 free (52.42) and breaststroke (1:10.93), Zoe Evans in the 500 free (6:10.53), Christiana Pinette in diving (143.05) and the medley (1:55.01), 200 free (1:45.06) and 400 free (4:26.37) relays.

Scarborough swept Windham, with the boys winning, 108-57, and the girls prevailing, 121-39.

The boys got wins from Nick Hutchins in the IM (2:46.34), Sam Greenberg in the 50 free (24.48) and 100 free (55.33), Gavin McLeod in the fly (57.93) and 500 free (5:20.72), Trevor Parenteau in the breaststroke (1:22.83) and the medley (2:04.34), 200 free (1:46.14) and 400 free (3:56.07) relays.

Girls’ first-place finishers included Morgan Porter in the 200 free (2:05.05) and the backstroke (1:06.74), Emma MacDonald in the IM (2:26.88) and 100 free (1:00.29), Hannah Griffin in the 50 free (26.03) and 500 free (5:27.37), Jane Greenberg in the fly (1:09.46) and the medley (2:03.57), 200 free (1:58.42) and 400 free (3:56.41) relays.

South Portland split a meet with Greely, as the boys enjoyed a 93-67 victory and the girls lost, 104-80.

The boys got wins from Logan Kavanagh in the 200 free (2:22.26) and 400 free (4:51.90), Brayden Gilbert in the IM (2:39.90) and fly (1:08.19), Sam Goodine-Doane in the 50 free (27.09) and breaststroke (1:17.66), Jesse Pearlman in diving (165.85), Luke Turner in the backstroke (1:20.15) and the 200 free (1:53.69) and 400 free (4:27.70) relays.

Girls’ first-place finishers included Margaret Jones in the 200 free (2:29.02) and fly (1:17.64), Kristina McCarthy in the IM (2:49.15) and 100 free (1:06.57), Lyla Metcalf in the 400 free (5:22.35), Molly Mawhinney in the breaststroke (1:21.82) and the 200 free relay team (2:02.22). 

Friday, Cape Elizabeth hosts South Portland and Scarborough travels to Gorham.

Skiing

While some ski meets have been postponed due to the brutally cold weather, there was some limited action last week.

Cape Elizabeth’s boys were fourth and its girls fifth at a five-team Nordic freestyle meet last week. The boys were paced by Peter DiNinno (third, 18 minutes, 38 seconds). The top female finisher was Catherine Morrissey (27th, 27:19).

Monday, Cape Elizabeth’s boys won a six-team Alpine slalom meet at Shawnee Peak. Killian Lathrop was the top individual with a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 35.38 seconds. The girls’ team placed sixth and was led by Adeline McGrath (10th, 2:05.06).

Wrestling

Scarborough’s wrestling team was 10th at the Spartan Invitational last weekend in Sanford. Jeremy Sendrowski was the runner-up in the 145 pound weight division. The Red Storm, who improved to 2-0 last week with a 37-21 victory over Cheverus, are at Noble Wednesday and take part in the Kennebunk Duals Saturday.

The Portland/South Portland co-op team finished 11th at last weekend’s Spartan Invitational in Sanford. Portland/SP had previously defeated Westbrook/Gorham to improve to 5-2 on the season. Portland/SP was at Massabesic Wednesday and takes part in the Kennebunk Duals Saturday.

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

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