Clutch win for SMCC women

The Southern Maine Community College women’s basketball team continues to thrive. Sunday, the Seawolves improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Yankee Small College Conference with a palpitating 62-60 win at the University of Maine-Machias, on freshman Katelyn Benson’s buzzer-beater. Marissa Welch dominated in the paint with 24 points and 18 rebounds. The men’s team fell at UMM Sunday, 76-74, and is now 4-4 overall (2-2 in conference play). Josh Mackie led the way with 16 points. SMCC was at New Hampshire Technical Institute Thursday and returns home Saturday (the women play Unity College at 5 p.m., the men meet Paul Smiths at 7 p.m.) and Sunday (versus Vermont Tech, women at 2 p.m., men at 4 p.m.).

Tip-off Classic at SP this weekend

The Pape Chevrolet boys’ basketball Tip-Off Classic will be held Friday and Saturday at Beal Gymnasium at South Portland High School. Games start Friday at 4 p.m., when Scarborough and Yarmouth square off. Bonny Eagle and Cape Elizabeth play at 5:30, South Portland and Falmouth at 7 and Cheverus and Edward Little at 8:30. Saturday, at 2 p.m., the Cape Elizabeth and South Portland junior varsity teams meet. Falmouth and Bonny Eagle play at 3:30, Cape Elizabeth and Scarborough at 5 and Yarmouth and South Portland at 7. All proceeds benefit the South Portland boys’ basketball boosters.

New recreation center open in Portland

The Riverside Athletic Center, featuring a 75- by 40-yard fieldturf synthetic grass surface, is now open at 1173 Riverside St., in Portland. The field can be rented for $250 an hour and is open to anyone. FMI, 841-2453, riversideathleticcenter@gmail.com or riversideathleticcenter.com.

Learn lacrosse program underway

The new Riverside Athletic Center, at 1173 Riverside St. in Portland is hosting a Learn to Play Lacrosse clinic for boys in grades K-8, Sundays from 3 – 4 p.m. The weekly program builds a strong foundation of fundamental lacrosse skills. The cost is $140. FMI, maineelitelacrosse.com.

Maine Premier Lacrosse offering programs

Maine Premier Lacrosse is offering new programs at The Portland Sports Complex. Boys and Girls – K-5 Learn2Lax, Middle School, High School are all available. Sign up online for the next three weeks Mainepremierlax.com. FMI, info@mainepremierlax.com.

Umpires needed

The Western Maine Baseball Umpires Association is holding baseball umpire certification classes. WMBUA provides baseball umpires for schools and leagues above the Little League level in Cumberland and York counties. Classes run for five consecutive Sunday evenings beginning February 12, 2012. FMI, wmbua@maine.rr.com or 653-8736.

Sportszone hosting travel league

The Southern Maine Sportszone in Saco is hosting the Southern Maine Auxiliary Travel Basketball League. An eight-game schedule begins Saturday and runs through Feb. 11 for boys and girls in grades 5-8. The cost is $350 per team. FMI, 468-4685, lenny@smsportszone.com or mainehoops@gmail.com.