Morse’s Olivia Harper won a pair of individual state titles and was part of two champion relays back in February.

Brunswick’s boys’ lacrosse team celebrates its overtime state final victory over Greely back in June.

Mt. Ararat’s field hockey team enjoyed a nine-win season and made the playoffs this fall.

Local athletes made plenty of memories again in 2018.

Here’s one final look back at the thrills that made up a special year.

January

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When 2017 gave way to 2018, Brunswick’s girls’ basketball team was riding high and would go undefeated in the regular season. The Brunswick boys and Morse girls also fought their way into the postseason.

On the ice, the Brunswick boys’ and girls’ hockey teams enjoyed strong seasons.

Skiing, swimming, track and wrestling teams and individuals geared up for the postseason.

February

February vacation week brought the first triumph of the new year as swimming produced individual champions Brian Hess of Brunswick (Class A boys’ 50 freestyle), Matt Yost of Brunswick (Class A boys’ 100 free), Hailey Harper of Morse (Class B girls’ 100 breaststroke), Olivia Harper of Morse (Class B girls’ 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly) and Ben Willertz of Morse (Class B boys’ 500 free).

Indoor track featured Mt. Ararat’s Lisandro Berry-Gaviria winning the Class A boys’ mile.

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Morse’s Jennifer Wilbriham won the Class A Nordic skiing classical race.

In girls’ hockey, Brunswick lost to Winslow in the North Region quarterfinals.

The Brunswick boys lost by a goal to York in the Class B South quarterfinals.

Brunswick’s boys’ basketball team lost on a buzzer-beater to Biddeford in the Class A quarterfinals.

In the girls’ tournament, Morse fell to Falmouth in the Class A South preliminary round, while top-ranked Brunswick beat Falmouth and York before losing to eventual state champion Greely in the regional final.

March

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There was no action in March until the start of spring sports practice.

April and May

The short spring regular season featured much excitement and triumph.

Mt. Ararat’s baseball squad and the Morse and Mt. Ararat softball teams enjoyed strong campaigns.

Brunswick’s boys’ lacrosse team was once again a top contender, while Brunswick’s girls, the Morse boys and girls and Mt. Ararat’s boys’ teams all enjoyed a run to the postseason. 

Area track stars geared up for the state meet.

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The tennis story featured several solid squads.

June

Brunswick’s girls’ tennis team reached the Class A North Final, then lost to Lewiston. Brunswick’s boys beat Mt. Ararat in the quarterfinals, then lost to Lewiston in the semifinals.

Two local track and field athletes won Class A state titles, as Mt. Ararat’s Berry-Gaviria took first in the boys’ mile and two-mile and Brunswick’s Samuel Cenescar was tops in the boys’ high jump.

Morse’s softball team made quite a run, downing Oak Hill in the quarterfinals and upsetting top-ranked Wells in the semifinals before losing a 1-0 heartbreaker to Greely in the Class B South Final. Mt. Ararat was ousted by Oxford Hills in the Class A North quarterfinals.

Mt. Ararat’s baseball team, the lone local team to make the playoffs, upset Edward Little in the Class A North quarterfinals, then lost to Oxford Hills in the semifinals.

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In girls’ lacrosse, Morse lost to York in the preliminary round and after downing Cony in the preliminary round, Brunswick was ousted by Yarmouth in the quarterfinals.

On the boys’ side, Brunswick was kissed by stardust again. The Dragons rallied for a dramatic overtime win over Yarmouth in the Class B semifinals, then won a championship in OT for the second year in a row, on Max Gramins’ goal, against Greely in the state game. Along the way, Brunswick beat Mt. Ararat in the quarterfinals. Morse lost to Gardiner in the preliminary round.

July and August

High school action took a short break, while familiar names competed in road races and American Legion ball. By mid-August, fall practice was underway.

September

Autumn brought more excitement.

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On the gridiron, Brunswick was again a powerhouse, while Morse and Mt. Ararat were playoff-bound.

On the pitch, all six local teams embarked on runs to the playoffs.

Mt. Ararat’s field hockey teams produced a winning record.

The Brunswick/Mt. Ararat volleyball team made a run to the postseason.

Cross country and golf teams hinted at success to come.

October

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Mt. Ararat’s golf team stole headlines, as it won the Class A state title for the first time and standout Caleb Manuel captured the Class A boys’ individual crown.

Both Brunswick and Mt. Ararat’s cross country teams made it to the Class A state meet, where Mt. Ararat’s Berry-Gaviria finished first in the boys’ race.

The field hockey playoffs saw Mt. Ararat lose to Messalonskee in the Class A North quarterfinals.

The Brunswick/Mt. Ararat volleyball team made it back to the playoffs and lost at Cheverus in the Class A preliminary round.

The soccer playoffs saw the Mt. Ararat boys make the deepest run, losing to Lewiston in the Class A North Final. Brunswick was ousted by Mt. Blue in the quarterfinals and Morse lost to Leavitt in the preliminary round.

On the girls’ side, Brunswick lost to Messalonskee in the semifinals, Mt. Ararat was ousted by Bangor in the quarterfinals and Morse was sent packing by Lake Region in the preliminary round.

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On the gridiron, Morse (Gardiner) and Mt. Ararat (Kennebunk) each lost their first playoff game, while Brunswick went on another run. The Dragons beat Brewer in the semifinals in their first playoff test.

November

Brunswick football team continued its run in the semifinals, avenging a regular season loss by beating Cony. The Dragons then beat Lawrence in the regional final, but were no match for Marshwood in the Class B state game, losing, 49-0.

December

Winter has returned and the fun begins again. We look forward to a lot of triumph in the weeks and months to come.

Say goodbye to the wonderful year that was. We welcome 2019 and look forward to a new batch of highlights.

Happy New Year everyone!


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