While the basketball tournament (see story) will get the lion’s share of attention the rest of the month, the postseason is in full swing in other sports as well and early results are promising for local athletes.

At press time, Falmouth’s girls’ hockey team found itself two wins from an elusive state title.

Last weekend, indoor track and swimming held their Western Maine Conference and Southwestern championship meets respectively. The skiing conference races were up next and even boys’ hockey is wrapping up its regular season.

Here’s a glimpse at what’s occurred and what’s to come:

Girls’ hockey

Falmouth’s girls’ hockey team, the top seed in the West Region, advanced to the regional final after a 7-1 home victory over No. 5 Capeflete Friday. Sarah Hutcheon scored three times. Camden Carrier, Evie Clement, Caroline Proctor and Martina St. Angelo all had one goal. The Yachtsmen battled No. 2 Scarborough (14-4-1), the defending champion, in the regional final Wednesday in Lewiston. In the regular season, the Red Storm won at home, 2-1, on Jan. 6, while Falmouth prevailed at home 22 days later, 6-3.  Last year, Scarborough eliminated the Yachtsmen in the regional final, 7-0.

If the Yachtsmen reach the state game Saturday at 7 p.m. in Lewiston, they will play either Lewiston (18-0-1) or Leavitt/Edward Little (16-2-1). Falmouth lost at home to Leavitt/EL Dec. 3 (3-1) and fell at Lewiston (4-0) on Jan. 14. 

Greely and Yarmouth/Freeport/Gray-New Gloucester weren’t as fortunate.

The Rangers, ranked third in the East Region, dropped an agonizing 1-0 decision at No. 2 Leavitt/EL in the semifinals and finished 14-4-1.

Yarmouth/Freeport/GNG, the No. 4 seed, had no trouble with fifth-ranked St. Dom’s in the quarterfinals, advancing with an 8-1 home victory. Keeley Arnold and Emily Johnson both scored twice, while Kate Brown, Katie Clemmer, Michelle Robichaud and Colleen Sullivan all had one goal. Monday, in the semifinals, Yarmouth/Freeport/GNG was ousted by top-ranked Lewiston, 4-0, to finish 11-8-1.

Swimming

Greely’s girls’ swim team captured the North Division Southwesterns championship Saturday in Westbrook, tallying 286 points to down runner-up Cheverus (224). Falmouth came in sixth and NYA was 10th. The Rangers got wins from Katie Bacall in the 200 freestyle (2 minutes, 6.22 seconds), Hwanhee Park in the 100 butterfly (59.53 seconds) and their 200 freestyle relay team (Lauren Williams, Cat Maker, Camilla Civiello and Park, 1:43.49). Greely was runner-up in the 400 free relay (3:58.32) and finished third in the 200 medley relay (2:02.83). Williams was second in the 200 free (2:07.47), Park was runner up in the 200 individual medley (2:13.60) and Maker finished second in the 50 free (25.27). The Yachtsmen got wins from diver Charlotte Janelle (who set a new record with 405.15 points) and Piper Alexander in the 500 free (5:36.67). NYA featured Sonia Lin, who won the 50 free (24.52) and placed second in the 100 backstroke (59.46).

In the boys’ meet, won by Cheverus, Falmouth was third and Greely placed fifth. The Yachtsmen were led by Jake Perron, who won the 200 free in 1:43.52 and came in second in the 500 free (4:47.42) and diver Griffin Conley (270.40 points). The Rangers top finisher was Ryan Plante, who came in second in the 50 free (23.22). Greely was second in the 200 free relay (1:38.64). 

At the South division Southwesterns, held in Cape Elizabeth, in the boys’ meet, Yarmouth came in ninth with 84 points (Massabesic won with 218). The Clippers’ 200 free relay team placed third in 1:43.12. 

In the girls’ meet, won by Kennebunk (283), Yarmouth (83) was sixth. Standout Eliza Lunt won the 100 breaststroke in 1:07.52 and the 200 medley relay team (featuring Cara Ricciardi, Lunt, Amanda Murray and Eliza Oliver) was first in 2:00.14. 

The Class B boys’ state final is Saturday at the University of Maine in Orono. The Class B girls compete for state glory Monday in Orono, while the Class A boys’ state meet will be held at Bowdoin College in Brunswick. The Class A girls’ state meet is Tuesday, also in Brunswick.

Indoor track

The Western Maine Conference indoor track championship meet was held Friday at the University of Southern Maine in Gorham and Falmouth’s boys and Greely’s girls had no peer.

In the boys’ meet, Falmouth tallied 168 points, which was 39 better than York. Greely (44.5) came in fourth, Yarmouth (38) placed fifth, NYA (26) tied Cape Elizabeth for seventh and Freeport (15) came in 13th.

The Yachtsmen got event wins from Matt Polewaczyk in the junior 55 (6.98 seconds) and the junior 200 (24.39), Ted Pierson in the junior shot put (36 feet, 4 inches), Nick Sanzari in the senior 55 (23.75), Spencer Brown in the open 800 (2:04.24), Bryce Murdick in the open two-mile (10:12.47) and their junior 4×200 (1:41.43), senior 4×200 (1:34.64) and open 4×800 (8:22.53) relay teams. The Rangers were paced by junior high jump winner Matt Donahoe (5 feet). The Panthers got a win from Xander Bartone in the junior 400 (53.93). The Clippers got a first-place finish from Darren Shi in the senior shot put (47-2).

Greely’s girls finished with 122 points, which was 24 better than runner-up York. Falmouth (95) came in third, Yarmouth (31) finished ninth, Freeport (17) was 11th and NYA (11) finished 13th.  

The Rangers were led by first-place finishes from Jocelyn Mitiguy in the junior 55 hurdles (9.09), Alyssa Coyne in the senior shot put (39-1.5) and open pole vault (8-6) and Izzy Evans in the open two-mile (12:12.24). Mitiguy was also runner-up in the senior 200 (28.43). Falmouth’s Emma England won the senior 200 (27.73) and the Yachtsmen won the junior 4×200 (1:56.03), senior 4×200 (1:54.77) and open 4×800 (10:27.17)  relays. The Clippers got a win from Emma Egan in the senior high jump (5-2). Egan was also second in the senior 55 (7.77) and the open long jump (16-8.25).

The state meets are Monday, with Class A being contested at USM and Class B at Bates College in Lewiston.

Skiing

The Western Maine Conference Nordic championships were held last week at Stark’s Hill.

In the classic, Falmouth’s Gabe Mahoney was first in the boys’ race with a time of 18 minutes, 32.9 seconds. Merriconeag had the second place (Forrest McCurdy, 19:02.5) and third place (Tucker Pierce, 19:03.4) finishers. Freeport was paced by Yacob Olins (sixth, 20:34.4). Yarmouth’s top finisher was John Lane (seventh, 20:42.4). NYA’s Haley Cunningham was ninth (20:53.7). Greely was paced by Tim Adams (22nd, 22:24.1). 

On the girls’ side, Freeport’s Elizabeth Martin was runner-up in 21:26. Merriconeag’s Samantha Pierce finished third (21:44.3). Lucy Alexander paced Yarmouth with a fourth-place finish (22:30.5). Falmouth’s London Bernier came in sixth (22:37.5). Greely’s top skier was Emily Follett (24th, 25:45.8). 

In the freestyle, on the boys’ side, Yarmouth’s Lane was first (12:54.2). Freeport was led by Bennett Hight (13:30.4). Merriconeag’s Pierce was fourth (13:32.5). Falmouth’s Simon Pratico came in fifth (13:33.2). NYA’s Cunningham came in 13th (14:10.4). Greely’s Adams came in 19th (14:53.6). 

In the girls’ race, Freeport’s Martin was first (14:43.1). Merriconeag’s Fiona Ahearne came in second (14:50.5). Yarmouth was paced by third-place finisher Emma Torres (15:05.2). Falmouth’s Anna Morin placed ninth (16:14.1). Greely’s Follett was 24th (18:08.1).

In the pursuit, which combined the scores of the two events, Merriconeag and Freeport both finished atop the heap with 30 points. Falmouth was third, Yarmouth fourth and Greely placed ninth.

On the girls’ side, Merriconeag and Yarmouth both lapped the field with 25 points. Falmouth finished third, Freeport placed fourth and Greely came in seventh.

The WMC Alpine championships were scheduled to begin Monday, but were postponed to Tuesday.

The state championship meets for Alpine and Nordic skiing are next week.

Boys’ hockey

With the playoffs nearing, Falmouth’s boys’ hockey team is returning to form. Last week, the Yachtsmen extended their win streak to three after downing host Cheverus (5-1) and visiting Biddeford (8-1). Jake Grade and Brandon Peters both scored twice against the Tigers. Falmouth (12-4 and first in the Western Class A Heal Points standings) went to second-ranked Scarborough Wednesday and close the regular season at home versus Thornton Academy Feb. 19.

In Western B, Yarmouth was up to sixth at 6-7-1 after a 9-1 victory at Maranacook and a 3-3 home tie versus Waterville last week. Cooper May and Chris Romano both scored twice in the victory. David Gerken, Matt Madrid and Patrick Grant had the goals in the deadlock. The Clippers were home against Greely Wednesday, play a makeup game at York Friday, visit Gorham Saturday and close the regular season at home versus Camden Hills Monday.

Yarmouth’s Walter Conrad was named January Defenseman of the Month and Nick Allen was selected January Goalie of the Month by the Western B Coaches Association. 

Greely was 2-10-1 and clinging to the seventh and final playoff spot in Western B after an 8-0 loss at defending Class B state champion Messalonskee Saturday. The Rangers were at Gorham Monday and visited Yarmouth Wednesday, play at Biddeford Saturday and close at home versus Maranacook Wednesday of next week.

Cheering

Freeport’s cheering squad was first among Class B teams at the recent Cheers for the Heart competition in Biddeford. 

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