Local linemen finalists for Gaziano Award

Cheverus’ Greg Grinnell and Portland’s Jacob Fogel were named finalists last week for the Frank J. Gaziano Linemen Awards. Grinnell is one of three finalists (along with Sanford’s Jedidiah Scott and Skowhegan’s Ethan Liberty) for the Offensive Lineman Award. Fogel is one of three finalists (along with Mt. Blue’s Colin Richards and Oak Hill’s Luke Washburn) for the Defensive Lineman Award. Winners will receive a scholarship of $5,000, a trophy and a leather jacket. Four runners-up receive a $1,000 scholarship, trophy and leather jacket. Funding for the $14,000 in scholarships is provided by National Distributors Inc. The winners will be named Jan. 25 in Augusta.

Interim Deering football coach gets full-time gig

Matt Riddell, who served as Deering’s interim football coach after abruptly replacing Scott Parsons midway through last football season, will be the Rams’ head man going forward. Riddell, who played at Lewiston High School and previously served as a Deering assistant, completed the 1-8 campaign, which culminated with a loss to Portland on Thanksgiving Day.
“I’m pleased to have someone of Matt’s ability bring stability and character back to Deering football,” said Deering athletic director Mel Craig.

Portland girl reaches state foul shooting contest

Portland’s Isabel Dawson won her girls’ 12-13 age bracket at Sunday’s Coastal District foul shooting contest in Rockland and advanced to the state championships which will be held Sunday, Jan. 26, in Brunswick.

SMCC back in action

The basketball teams at Southern Maine Community College are back in action. The women got off to a fast start with wins over host St. Joseph’s College of Vermont (63-47) and visiting John Abbott College (59-57) to improve to 11-4 overall (7-1 in Yankee Small College Conference play). Danielle McCusker had 20 points in the road win, while Maria Veino had 13 points, Esther Palmieri added 12 and McCusker and Nyalieb Deng each finished with 11 against John Abbott. The SMCC men opened with a 105-95 overtime victory at St. Joseph’s (Davis Nicholson had 28 points and Jose Nouchanthavong added 26), then lost at home to John Abbott, 81-76 (despite 30 points from Nouchanthavong) to fall to 13-4 (7-1 in conference). The Seawolves go to Eastern Maine CC Wednesday, visit Navy Prep Friday, play at Northern Maine CC Monday (men only), then return home Wednesday of next week to battle U. Maine-Augusta.