By Michael Hoffer
With the postseason drawing ever closer, local winter sports teams know time and wins are of the essence.
The news continues to be largely encouraging across the board.
SUBHEAD-Boys’ basketball: Cape Elizabeth’s win streak at seven
While the sensational Keegan Hyland continues to lead the South Portland boys’ basketball team to greatness (please see accompanying story, page ?), defending regional champion Cape Elizabeth is sizzling in Western Class B.
The Capers dominated visiting York 75-26 last Friday night to improve to 10-2 with their sixth consecutive win. Cape Elizabeth was up 18-4 after one period and 38-13 at the break. Senior Alex Bowe had 16 points and 11 different Capers scored.
Cape Elizabeth (now fourth in the Western B Heal Points standings) goes to Western C contender Traip Friday, hosts Wells Saturday and visits Freeport Tuesday.
In Western A, Scarborough beat visiting Kennebunk 47-38 last Thursday to stretch its win streak to three, but Saturday, the Red Storm fell 44-28 at undefeated, defending state champion Cheverus. Against the Rams, senior Ian Philbrick had 13 points. In the loss to the Stags, sophomore Zach Bean had a team-high nine points.
Scarborough (6-6 and eighth in the Western A Heals) goes to Massabesic Friday, hosts Portland Saturday and plays host to recent playoff nemesis Biddeford Tuesday.
SUBHEAD-Girls’ basketball: Scarborough on a roll
On the girls’ side, Scarborough has further cemented its status as the second-best team behind defending champion Deering in Western A. The Red Storm hold the No. 2 spot in the Heals and are now 11-2 after recent wins at Bonny Eagle (65-52) and at home over McAuley (75-39). In the win over the Scots, junior standout Christy Manning erupted for 34 points. Against the Lions, junior Jenn Colpitts had 22.
Scarborough is home with Cheverus Friday, then plays at Kennebunk Monday and Portland Wednesday.
South Portland edged host Thornton Academy 48-40 last Thursday for its third win a row, but Monday, visiting Noble held the Red Riots in check in a 33-22 decision. South Portland improved to 7-5 Tuesday with a 57-26 triumph at Bonny Eagle.
Against the Golden Trojans, senior Brianna Hawkins scored 20 points. In the loss, sophomore Danielle DiBiase led the way with seven. Against the Scots, junior Danielle McCusker went off for 25.
The Red Riots (tied with Noble for fifth in the Western A Heals) host McAuley Friday, go to Portland Monday and visit Kennebunk Wednesday.
In Western B, Cape Elizabeth fell to 4-8 last Friday with a 45-22 setback at undefeated and top-ranked York. Junior Morgan Pillsbury had 12 points for the Capers, who are 13th in the latest Heals.
Cape Elizabeth is home with Traip Friday, visits Wells Saturday and hosts Freeport Tuesday.
SUBHEAD-Hockey: Cape Elizabeth boys win a pair
On the ice, while South Portland is enjoying a season for the ages in Western A (please see story, page ?), Cape Elizabeth is hot on Greely’s heels for bragging rights in Western Class B.
The Capers are now 7-3 after recent wins at Camden (5-2) and over visiting Presque Isle (6-3). Junior Sam St. Germain had a pair of goals in the latter victory. Cape Elizabeth (second to the Rangers in the Heals) hosts defending Western B champion York Saturday and welcomes Kennebunk Wednesday.
Scarborough has fallen on tough times in Western A. The Red Storm lost 5-3 at Brewer Saturday and 4-2 at Lewiston Monday to fall to 5-5. Scarborough, which is on a four-game losing skid, has fallen to sixth in the Heal Points standings. The Red Storm hope to get back on track Saturday when they host Thornton Academy. Wednesday, Scarborough welcomes Falmouth.
In girls’ action, Scarborough is 9-4-2 and third in the West Region Heals. The Red Storm host Gorham Saturday.
Cape Elizabeth improved to 7-8-1 Monday with a 6-2 home victory over Gorham. The Capers (sixth in the West Region Heals) are at Maranacook Saturday.
SUBHEAD-Indoor track
The indoor track season continued last weekend.
At the University of Southern Maine Friday, Cape Elizabeth’s girls were second to York in a seven-team meet. The boys came in third behind York and Yarmouth.
Individually, sophomore Ryan Ayers won the junior high jump (5 feet, 2 inches), junior Jon Bass was first in the senior 55 hurdles (9.15 seconds), senior Matt Rand won the two-mile (10 minutes, 14.93 seconds) and junior Brenden Shields took the triple jump (40-11 1/2) for the boys.
On the girls’ side, senior Emma Hockmuth took the senior high jump (4-8) and pole vault (8-6), senior Rachel Nichols was first in the 800 (2:28.92), senior Marita Stressenger won the mile (5:22.48) and two-mile (12:00.11), and the Capers also won the 800 relay.
Saturday, at the Portland Expo, several athletes took part in a protest of the Maine Principals’ Association’s proposed changes, which includes a forced withdrawal from New England competition.
South Portland’s boys had 133 points to roll to a win over Noble (31) and Windham (25). Scarborough had 77 points and defeated Cheverus (56 1/2) and Thornton Academy (55 1/2).
In girls’ action, Scarborough (99 points) stayed perfect with a win over Thornton Academy (67) and Cheverus (27). South Portland had 67 2/3 points and placed second to Windham (82). Noble (50 1/3) was third.
This Friday, Cape Elizabeth, along with Fryeburg, Gray-New Gloucester, Lake Region, Poland, Traip and Wells, competes at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, in girls’ action, South Portland battles Bonny Eagle and Gorham at 9:35 a.m. Scarborough meets Noble and Portland at 12:15 a.m. On the boys’ side, Scarborough does battle with Noble and Portland at 1:45 p.m., while South Portland meets Bonny Eagle and Gorham at 5:45 p.m.
SUBHEAD-Swimming
In the pool, Scarborough swept a recent meet with Sanford as the boys won 138-37 and the girls emerged victorious 109-71. South Portland split with Thornton Academy, as the boys won 113-68 and the girls fell 108-74.
Friday, the Red Riots host the Red Storm.
Results for Cape Elizabeth’s recent meets against Cheverus and St. Dom’s weren’t available. The Capers host Falmouth Friday.
SUBHEAD-Skiing
Cape Elizabeth’s skiers have been busy in recent days.
The Capers traveled north for the Maranacook Wave Nordic race Saturday. The boys finished 10th out of 21 squads, while the girls were ninth of 22 teams.
Junior Bobby Yokabaskas was the top male individual (finishing 12th in 14 minutes, 21.6 seconds). Sophomore Lexie Weatherbie (35th, 18:53.2) led the girls’ squad.
The Alpine team went up against Gray-New Gloucester, Greely and Yarmouth Monday with the girls placing third and boys coming in fourth.
Jack Barber was fourth individually (1:07.07). Senior Tori Howe led the girls’ squad with an eighth-place showing (1:21.27).
SUBHEAD-Wrestling
In recent action on the mat, Scarborough dropped decisions to Westbrook (50-14) and Noble (84-0). The Red Storm were at Marshwood Wednesday (too late for this edition).

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


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