The championship month of February is right around the corner and local teams are starting to play with an urgency as they seek to improve their playoff standing.

Here’s a glimpse at the week gone by and what’s on tap:

Boys’ basketball

Morse’s boys’ basketball team began the week 9-3 and second to Yarmouth in the Western Class B Heal Points standings after a 55-51 loss at Lincoln Academy last week. The Shipbuilders go to Belfast Friday and visit Medomak Valley Tuesday.

In Western D, Hyde was third at 8-1 after wins over visiting North Yarmouth Academy (45-27) and Islesboro (62-45) and host Sacopee Valley (48-31). Antoine Montgomery had 12 points and Andrew Palermo added 10 against the Panthers. Montgomery scored 17 points and Kiefer Cundy added 14 in the win over Islesboro. The Phoenix hosted Rangeley Tuesday, go to Islesboro Saturday and play at NYA Tuesday of next week.

In Eastern A, Brunswick was 6-7 and sixth after winning at Mt. Blue (68-40) and Brewer (53-51). The Dragons are home with Lewiston Friday and play at Skowhegan Tuesday.

Mt. Ararat was 4-9 and 10th (nine teams make the playoffs) after falling at Edward Little (79-44) and at home to defending Eastern A champion Hampden Academy (53-50). The Eagles go to Lawrence Friday and host Cony Tuesday.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Hyde improved to 9-0 and fourth in Western D after defeating host NYA (39-26), visiting Islesboro (49-27) and host Sacopee Valley (31-28). Lilli Allen had 17 points against the Panthers and went off for 26 points against Islesboro. The Phoenix hosted Rangeley Tuesday, play at Islesboro Saturday, visit Pine Tree Academy Monday and host NYA Tuesday of next week.

In Eastern A, Brunswick was sixth at 8-5 after a 52-47 home loss to Mt. Blue, an 86-33 home romp over Brewer and an 82-38 win at Brewer Monday. The Dragons play at Lewiston Friday and host Skowhegan Tuesday. 

Mt. Ararat was clinging to the ninth and final playoff spot with a record of 4-9 after a 59-38 home loss to Edward Little and a 54-35 loss at Hampden Academy. The Eagles welcome Lawrence Friday and go to Cony Tuesday.

In Western B, Morse was 5-8 and 13th (only 10 teams make the playoffs) after a 46-40 home loss to Lincoln Academy and a 57-37 win at Erskine. The Shipbuilders host Belfast Friday and welcome Medomak Valley Tuesday.

Hockey

Brunswick’s boys’ hockey team was 8-4 and fourth in Eastern A after losses to visiting St. Dom’s (8-2), at Cheverus (8-1) and at Lawrence/Skowhegan (8-4). The Dragons hoped to get back on track Thursday at Portland/Deering.

Mt. Ararat was 1-10 and eighth (only seven teams make the playoffs) after a 4-3 home loss to Cony, a 5-4 overtime home loss to South Portland and a 6-4 setback at Lake Region. The Eagles host Poland Saturday and welcome Leavitt Wednesday.

On the girls’ side, Mt. Ararat would be the final team in the playoffs if they started today. The Eagles fell to 2-13-1 and sixth in the East Region after home losses to Greely (7-0) and Edward Little/Leavitt (5-1) and a 4-0 setback at Gorham/Bonny Eagle. Mt. Ararat is at St. Dom’s Wednesday of next week, then closes at Yarmouth/Freeport/Gray-New Gloucester Jan. 31.

Brunswick was 2-13 and seventh after losing to visiting St. Dom’s (4-2) and at Cheverus (4-1) and beating host Winslow (4-2). The Dragons were at Portland/Deering Thursday, visit Greely Saturday and close at Edward Little/Leavitt Jan. 31.

Wrestling

Last week, Mt. Ararat’s wrestling team lost to Cony (39-36) and Oxford Hills (48-30). Monday, the Eagles defeated Camden Hills (48-30) and Medomak Valley (42-23) to improve to 14-8. Saturday, Mt. Ararat hosts Brewer, Hampden Academy, Lincoln Academy, Oceanside and Skowhegan.

Morse was 3-11 after losing to Skowhegan Monday (64-12). The Shipbuilders go to Belfast Saturday.

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