(Ed. Note: For the Scarborough-Deering boys’ and Scarborough-Deering girls’ basketball game stories, please see theforecaster.net)

As the winter season passes the midway point, there’s been ample excitement on the court, ice, mat, track, trails, slopes and in the pool.

Here’s a glimpse:

Boys’ basketball

South Portland’s boys’ basketball team suffered a painful 61-57 home loss to Portland Friday (senior Logan Gaddar and junior Tanner Hyland both had 12 points, while junior Ben Burkey added 10). The Red Riots then went to Marshwood Monday in dire need of a signature victory.

They got it.

South Portland led by as many as 13 in the first half, but only by two at halftime. After six lead changes in the third quarter, the Red Riots went on top to stay on an old-fashioned three-point play from junior Conner MacVane, who was superb off the bench, and held on down the stretch to prevail, 66-60. Senior Jordan Muller led South Portland with 16 points, Hyland added 15 and junior Jack Tolan finished with 11.

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“We hadn’t had a big win this year,” Muller said. “It’s nice to win a game on the road. It was a fun environment. The crowd was loud, but we made them quiet when we went on runs.”

“The past couple days we worked hard to get prepared for this game,” said Gaddar. “We lost to them last year in a tough game. You can’t let any play go. We kept our heads in the game. We knew we had to keep fighting. We’ve been in this position before and learned from it.”

“That was a really big win for these kids,” added South Portland coach Phil Conley. “We came off a tough game Friday night where I thought we played a solid game until the last couple minutes. This is a big win since Marshwood’s a very good team that’s well coached and we’re battling with them for a top five spot. I thought our kids really stepped up and hung tough late and that’s what I’m looking for. They’re really maturing. I’m so happy for these kids. They’ve worked so hard and I’m proud of them. It’s one of our biggest wins.”

The Red Riots (8-3 and fifth in the latest Western Class A Heal Points standings) hosts Gorham Friday and Bonny Eagle Tuesday.

Scarborough built on its first-ever win over Cheverus with a 61-43 triumph at Noble Friday (senior Ben Wessel led the way with a dozen points). Monday, the Red Storm hosted powerhouse Deering. Scarborough only trailed 25-24 at halftime and had a 28-25 lead early in the third period, but then went cold and the Rams went on a 15-2 run to seize control. The Red Storm weren’t able to rally and fell to 6-5 after a 55-44 setback (Wessel had a team-high 13 points).

“We stopped scoring,” lamented Scarborough coach Joe Johnson. “We just didn’t shoot it well. You’ll have games like that. You have to do other things when shots aren’t falling for you. We have to do more than shoot the long ball offensively. Deering is the best team and we were right there with them. I’d love to see them again in the playoffs.”

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The Red Storm (seventh in Western A) is at Biddeford Friday and Kennebunk Tuesday.

“We’ll get better,” Johnson said. “We need to tune some things up. It’s a roller coaster ride. Our theme is to be consistent. I feel comfortable with these guys. I know they’ll respond. We’re doing the right things.”

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth is 7-4 and sixth in the standings after narrow victories over visiting Yarmouth (40-39) and host Fryeburg (40-37). Junior Chris Robicheaw had 14 points (including a clutch 3 late) in the win over the Clippers. Against the Raiders, Robicheaw again sank a pivotal late 3-pointer and finished with 14 points. The Capers host undefeated Falmouth Friday and go to preseason favorite York Tuesday.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Scarborough remains the hot story.

The Red Storm romped over visiting Noble, 73-25, Friday, then rallied for a 53-47 win at Deering Monday to improve to 11-0. Freshman Ashley Briggs had 15 points and junior Courtney Alofs 14 against the Knights. In the win over the Rams, Scarborough rallied from a 21-15 halftime deficit behind 23 points from Briggs.

“We came out kind of soft on defense,” said Briggs. “Once we all realized we wanted to be an 11-0 team, we all hustled and got in the passing lanes. It’s a statement. We were underestimated and to come out 11-0 is something that people didn’t expect of us, so it’s exciting.”

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“I was very pleased with the second half effort,” said Scarborough coach Tom Maines. “I think it is very difficult for a team to be undefeated and stay undefeated. The emotions sometimes favor softness, favor a lack of intensity.”

The Red Storm welcome undefeated, defending Class A state champion McAuley for a delicious showdown Friday night (see theforecaster.net for game story).

“Should be fun,” said be Maines. “This is what it’s all about.”

Tuesday, Scarborough is home against Kennebunk.

South Portland fell to 6-5 and 10th in Western A after Monday’s 49-44 home loss to Marshwood. Junior Danica Gleason did have 16 points. The Red Riots were coming off a 49-30 home victory over Portland (senior Libby Grant had 11 points, senior Logan Neal and sophomore Brianne Maloney nine apiece). South Portland is at Gorham Friday and visits Bonny Eagle Tuesday.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth got back in the win column last Thursday, 41-39, at Yarmouth, behind 11 points from junior Kisa Tabery. Saturday, the Capers fell to 3-8 with a 46-37 home loss to Fryeburg (senior Kayla Raftice led the team with 13 points). Cape Elizabeth (14th in the Heals) goes to Falmouth Friday and hosts York Tuesday.

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In Western D, Greater Portland Christian School is 2-4 and eighth in the standings after Tuesday’s 59-54 home loss to Forest Hills. Suzanne Gonzalez had 20 points and 18 rebounds in defeat. Elaine Beech had 14 points and Robyn Waugh added 13. The Lions go to North Haven for games Friday and Saturday. Monday, they play at Calvary Chapel and Wednesday visit Islesboro.

Hockey

On the ice, the Scarborough girls are 9-3-1 and second to unbeaten Falmouth in the West Region Heals after a recent 8-0 home win over Portland. Kristina Block had a hat trick and Alyssa Hulst added two goals. The Red Storm is at Biddeford Saturday and goes to Portland Monday.

Cape Elizabeth is 3-9-1 and seventh in the West. The Capers sandwiched losses at York (8-1) and Edward Little (4-2) around an 8-1 victory at Biddeford. Cape Elizabeth is home against Gorham Saturday and York Wednesday.

On the boys’ side, in Western A, Scarborough clung to the top spot in the Heals with an 8-1-1 mark entering Thursday’s home game with Portland. The Red Storm suffered its first loss last Wednesday at Thornton Academy (7-1), then rallied to edge visiting Edward Little Saturday (5-4). Cam Loiselle scored twice and Bradley Rockey had the winner.

South Portland fell to 3-6 after recent losses at Edward Little (7-0) and at home to Falmouth (9-1). The Red Riots (11th in the Western A Heals) are idle until Jan. 26 when they host Cape Elizabeth.

Speaking of the Capers, they’re 4-2-2 and fifth in Western B after Saturday’s 4-0 loss at rival Greely. Cape Elizabeth hosts Gardiner Saturday.

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Cape Elizabeth senior Nick Breed was named the December Forward of the Month in Western Class B by the Coaches’ Association. Breed had eight goals and four assists. Senior teammate Kirby Saari was named Goaltender of the Month after going 2-0-2 with a .950 save percentage and a 1.75 goals against average.

Indoor track

Scarborough’s indoor track juggernaut dominated once again last week, as both the boys and girls defeated Bonny Eagle, Noble and Portland.

In the boys’ meet, Cameron Langlois won the open 55 hurdles (8.75 seconds), junior high jump (5 feet, 4 inches), junior long jump (17-5.75) and junior 55 hurldes (8.42), Greg Viola came in first in the senior 400 (53.83) and senior high jump (5-2) and all three relay teams came in first.

On the girls’ side, all three relay teams won. Morgan Rodway took both the junior 55 (7.69) and the junior 200 (27.73). Nicole Kirk captured the senior 55 (7.67) and the senior 200 (27.08). Andrew Tolman was first in the senior 400 (1 minute, 4.69 seconds), senior triple jump (31-5) and the pole vault (9-8). Sarah Rinaldi won the open 55 hurdles (10.63) and the junior high jump (4-10).

South Portland participated in a meet with Biddeford, Deering, Gorham and McAuley. The girls were first, the boys second to Gorham.

The girls won two relays (senior 800 and open 1,600) and Lauren Magnuson was a multiple event winner, capturing the open 600 (1:43.32) and the junior 55 (7.72). Duncan Preston won both the junior shot put (40-5) and the junior triple jump (38-9).

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Cape Elizabeth took part in a Western Maine Conference meet against Falmouth, Lisbon, Poland, St. Dom’s and Traip. The Capers boys’ and girls’ were both second to the Yachtsmen.

Laura MacKay won both the girls’ senior 55 (8.12) and senior 200 (30.03). Trevor Ewald took the boys’ junior 55 (7.15) and junior 200 (25.43). Deven Roberts won the junior 55 hurdles (8.85), junior shot put (30-0.25) and junior high jump (5-4).

This weekend, Cape Elizabeth competes against Freeport, Fryeburg, Gray-New Gloucester, Lake Region, Yarmouth and York. Scarborough and South Portland go up against Biddeford, Gorham and Massabesic.

Swimming

In the pool, Cape Elizabeth swept a meet with Westbrook last Friday. The boys won, 119-34. The girls prevailed, 126-28. The Capers host Falmouth Friday.

Scarborough’s boys beat Deering, 95-88, while the girls lost to the Rams, 111-69. The Red Storm goes to Cheverus Friday.

South Portland hosted Falmouth. The boys won, 96-65. The girls lost, 116-63. The Red Riots welcome Gorham and McAuley Friday.

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Skiing

Cape Elizabeth’s Nordic ski team has been busy of late. Last Wednesday, the Capers joined 18 other schools for a classical race at Black Mountain. The boys placed eighth, the girls seventh. Individually, James Yokabaskas placed seventh in the boys’ race (15 minutes, 12.8 seconds). Dana Hatton was 12th for the girls in 19:10.8. Christina Kouros won the guest class (13:07.7).

Both teams competed at the Leavitt Hornet Classic Saturday and each squad came in fifth. The boys were led by Yokabaskas (seventh, 15:21.4), the girls by Hatton (fifth, 20:28.8).

Monday, in a skate race at Starks Hill, Cape Elizabeth was fifth on the girls’ side and sixth in the boys’ race, in a nine-team meet. Hatton finished sixth (16:37.8) in the girls’ meet. Yokabaskas was seventh among the boys (14:00.5).

On the Alpine side, Cape Elizabeth joined Gray-New Gloucester, Greely and Yarmouth for a slalom meet at Shawnee Peak. The boys were fourth and the girls didn’t score as a team. Individually, Sam Barber was the top boys’ finisher (a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 26.47 seconds).

Wrestling

Scarborough’s wrestling team lost at Windham Saturday (58-24) and dropped matches Monday to Massabesic (54-24) and Bonny Eagle (33-27). The Red Storm is at Westbrook Wednesday.

Freelance writer Ryan Robb contributed to this story.

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

Sidebar Elements


Scarborough’s Brendan Hall attempts to drive on a Deering defender during Monday’s 55-44 home loss.

Cape Elizabeth’s Emma Inhorn runs toward a second-place finish in the two-mile at last week’s meet.


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