Ed. Note: For the complete South Portland-Bonny Eagle boys’ basketball and Scarborough-McAuley girls’ basketball game stories, please visit theforecaster.net)

There was plenty of drama and even a dose of surprise during last week’s action.

The hour is getting late for those teams hoping to qualify for the playoffs and for those who are in, getting optimal position is still the biggest concern.

Here’s a look at what transpired last week and what’s upcoming:

Boys’ basketball

The South Portland boys’ basketball team has moved up to second in the Western Class A Heal Points standings (as of press time) after a pair of road ones, one which was epic. Last Friday, the Red Riots handled host Gorham, 62-48, as Tanner Hyland had 24 points and Jaren Muller added 14. Monday afternoon, South Portland had to go double overtime to survive talented host Bonny Eagle, 82-77. Hyland banked home a 3 at the buzzer to force overtime and in the second OT, Muller made a layup to put the Red Riots ahead for good and Conner MacVane and Hyland (who had a team-high 23 points) made clutch free throws to allow South Portland to earn its biggest win to date.

“That was a great high school basketball game,” said Red Riots coach Phil Conley. “I thought both teams played outstanding. This is a huge win for us. We needed a win against a quality team like Bonny Eagle. On the road makes it sweeter. I hope this is a big confidence boost. It’s a great win for the kids. They worked so hard. I’m glad they won a big game. I was crossing my fingers.”

Muller added 18 points, Jack Tolan had 16 and Ben Burkey 13 and South Portland only turned the ball over nine times in 40 frenetic, pressure-packed minutes.

“We dug deep and we stuck together,” said Hyland. “We played really well. We’ve been down before and came back. I think it shows a lot about our team right now. It was a lot of fun. I love big crowds  and I like long games. It’s more time on the court to play.”

South Portland (11-2) hosts Cheverus Friday and goes to Deering Tuesday.

“We have to take care of business,” Conley added. “One game at a time is the approach we’ve had this year. In the SMAA, you have to bring your ‘A’ game every night.”

Scarborough improved to 8-5 with home wins last week over Biddeford (60-47) and Kennebunk (52-26). Kevin Manning had 23 points and Sam Terry 14 versus the Tigers. Against the Rams, Terry had 14 again. The Red Storm (sixth in Western A) is at Sanford Friday and visits Massabesic Tuesday.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth began the week 9-3 and fourth after splitting two games last week. The Capers downed visiting Fryeburg, 53-48, in overtime (Henry Babcock had 16 points, Chris Robicheaw 15), then lost at undefeated, powerhouse Falmouth, 53-41 (Babcock had a team-high 14 points). Cape Elizabeth is home with York Friday (see theforecaster.net for game story) and Gray-New Gloucester Saturday and goes to Wells Tuesday.

In Western D, Greater Portland Christian School fell to 0-9 and 14th after a 91-14 loss at Traip Monday. After playing at Old Orchard Beach Thursday, the Lions visit North Yarmouth Academy Wednesday of next week.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, it’s been a bittersweet few days for South Portland. The Red Riots jumped into the No. 4 spot in Western A with an 11-2 record following home wins over Gorham (49-47) and Bonny Eagle (46-29), but in the win over the Scots, senior standout Danica Gleason suffered a knee injury and is feared lost for the season (Gleason should be healthy, however, to play softball in the spring). Maddie Hasson and Brianne Maloney picked up the slack and had 11 points apiece. Maloney and Gleason scored 16 each in the previous game against the Rams. South Portland plays host to Cheverus Friday and welcomes two-time defending Class A champion McAuley Tuesday.

Scarborough had to go to McAuley last Friday night and suffered its second straight loss, 65-42, in a game that was much more competitive than the final score indicated. The Red Storm was within eight, 41-33, in the third period and the Lions were in foul trouble, but Scarborough couldn’t take advantage and went down to the defeat, despite 11 points from Mary Redmond. 

“I just told the kids the score wasn’t indicative of the effort and the energy and how we competed,” Red Storm coach Ron Cote said. “I couldn’t ask anything more of the kids. They gave me everything they had. I’m very pleased with that. We played defense. We were fairly disciplined on offense. We competed. That’s the best I can say. I learned we can play with anybody in the league. We lost in triple overtime to Cheverus, pretty much had a four-point game with Deering and we played a superb team in talent and height as tough as we could tonight.”

Scarborough bounced back Monday with a 65-23 victory at Kennebunk Monday. Ashley Briggs had 14 points and Redmond added 11. The Red Storm (11-3 and fifth in Western A) hosts dangerous Sanford Friday and welcomes Massabesic Tuesday.

“We have to run the table and hope we can sneak into third,” Cote said.

In Western B, Cape Elizabeth’s five-game win streak (its longest this century) was snapped in agonizing fashion Friday with a 27-25 home loss to Falmouth. The Capers only scored two points in the first quarter and seven in the first half, but led, 25-24, as time wound down before the Yachtsmen got a 3-pointer to prevail. Marlo Dell’Aquila had nine points and Kisa Tabery eight. Cape Elizabeth (6-6 and eighth in the standings) returns to action Friday at York. After playing at Gray-New Gloucester Saturday, the Capers host Wells Tuesday.

In Western D, GPCS was 7-2 and seventh in the Heals at press time after Monday’s 61-27 loss at Traip. The Lions were at Old Orchard Beach Thursday, host Hebron Monday and go to NYA Wednesday.

Hockey

Scarborough’s boys’ hockey team extended its win streak to nine games after victories at Biddeford (3-0) and Thornton Academy (7-4). Nick Bagley, Trevor Murray and Matt Henderson had the goals versus the Tigers, while Dalton Finley earned the shutout. In the win over the two-time defending Class A champion Golden Trojans, Jake Gross had three goals and Cam Loiselle two. The Red Storm (10-1 and first in the Western A Heals) goes to Gorham Saturday and meets Thornton Academy again, this time at home, Monday.

South Portland was 0-8 and 14th in the Heals at press time after a 9-2 loss at Portland Wednesday. Phil Densmore and Alec Heal had the goals. The Red Riots host Cape Elizabeth Saturday.

Speaking of the Capers, they lost at home to Cheverus (5-2) and at home to Camden Hills (5-4, in overtime), before bouncing back Monday with a 2-1 win at Leavitt to improve to 4-7-1 (fourth in the Western B standings). Charlie Laprade had two goals, Satchel McCarthy added three assists and Chris Grennon had the tying goal versus the Windjammers. In the victory, McCarthy and Matt Riggle scored. Cape Elizabeth is at South Portland Saturday.

On the girls’ side, Scarborough is now 12-1-1 and first in the West Region Heals after wins over visiting Portland (7-0) and host Gorham (5-0). Madison O’Reilly had three goals and Alyssa Hulst two versus the Bulldogs. Hulst had two more against the Rams. The Red Storm hosts Falmouth Saturday and Biddeford Tuesday.

Cape Elizabeth was clinging to the fifth and final playoff spot in the West at press time despite a six-game skid, capped by home losses to Falmouth (5-1) and Biddeford (5-0) last week. Kate Bosworth had the goal and Lily Jordan made 38 saves versus the Yachtsmen. The Capers host Portland Saturday and Gorham Tuesday.

Indoor track

Scarborough’s boys’ indoor track team held off South Portland and three other teams at a meet last weekend at USM. The Red Storm got wins from Alec James in the pole vault (13 feet, 3 inches), Griffin Madden in the open 55 hurdles (9.12 seconds), Alex Karam in the senior 800 (2 minutes, 7.59 seconds), Ryan Jamison in the senior 200 (23.58), Hugh McSorley in the junior shot put (41-10.5), Maxim Doiron in the junior 55 hurdles (8.95), Colin Tardiff in the junior 800 (2:12.1), Jerry Kenney in the junior 400 (54.62) and its sprint medley relay team (4:00.24). Red Riots winners included Max Knutsen in the mile (4:43.59), Duncan Preston in the senior triple jump (39-11), Ryan Tuttle in the senior high jump (5-6) and Michael Cuesta in the junior triple jump (37-11). 

Scarborough’s girls were runner-up to Thornton Academy, while South Portland was third. The Red Storm got wins from Katherine Kirk in the junior 400 (1:03.88), Emma Koukos in the junior 800 (2:38.1), Sarah Rinaldi in the junior high jump (5 feet), Avery Pietras in the senior 200 (27.28) and its 800 relay (1:50.47). Red Riots winners included Laurine German in the open 55 hurdles (9.75) and Clara Ellis in the senior triple jump (31-6.75).

SMAA action resumes Feb. 2 at USM with the conference championship meet.

Cape Elizabeth took part in an eight-team Western Maine Conference meet. The girls were third and the boys fourth. Kyle Kennedy was the lone event winner, taking the boys’ two-mile in 10:35.64.

Friday, the Capers compete against Freeport, Fryeburg, Greely, Lake Region, NYA, St. Dom’s and Wells.

Swimming

In the pool, Cape Elizabeth met reigning Class B champion Greely last week. The girls prevailed, 108-72, while the boys lost, 96-79. The Capers are home with Falmouth and South Portland Friday.

The Red Riots and Scarborough squared off last weekend. The Red Storm won the girls’ meet, 115-58, and also came in first on the boys’ side, 118-61.

Scarborough is at Thornton Academy Saturday.

Skiing

Scarborough’s boys were second and the girls third at a six-team Alpine slalom meet at Shawnee Peak last Friday. Abby Mills finished runner-up individually in the girls’ meet (a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 51.33 seconds). The boys were paced by Matthew McAlary (10th, 1:57.02). 

Cape Elizabeth’s boys were third and the girls fourth in a four-team slalom meet Monday. Emma Dvorozniak was sixth on the girls’ side (2:07.95). The boys were paced by R.J. Sarka (10th, 1:47.66).

Wrestling

Scarborough’s wrestling team lost to Bonny Eagle (57-16) and Massabesic (59-6) Monday. The Red Storm was at Deering Wednesday and closes the regular season Saturday at Westbrook.

The regional championships are Feb. 2. The state meet is Feb. 9.

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

Sidebar Elements

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Cape Elizabeth senior Henry Babcock leans in for a shot during Friday’s loss at undefeated, top-ranked Falmouth.

Scarborough senior Courtney Alofs drives for two during the Red Storm’s loss at undefeated, two-time defending Class A champion McAuley last weekend.

Cape Elizabeth senior Charlie Laprade races up-ice during the Capers’ 5-2 loss to Cheverus last week.

Cape Elizabeth sophomore goalie Lily Jordan makes a dazzling glove save during the Capers’ 5-1 home loss to Falmouth last weekend.

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