Mother Nature has made life difficult for winter athletes in the early going, but even with a small sampling, it’s clear that there are many more thrills on the horizon.
Here’s a look at where things stand as the old year prepares to give way to the new.
SUBHEAD-Boys’ basketball
On the hardwood, the Morse boys continue to sparkle, off to their best start in years in Eastern Class A. Friday, the Shipbuilders downed host Lawrence 46-31 to improve to 5-0. Morse was at Messalonskee Tuesday (too late for this edition), then plays host to Cony Tuesday of next week.
Mt. Ararat improved to 3-2 with its third successive victory, 92-64 at Nokomis Friday night. A 34-12 run in the second period proved to be the difference. Cam Vermette erupted for 39 points (and also grabbed 14 rebounds) and Will Gerencer added 20 points. The Eagles played host to Hampden Academy Tuesday (too late for this edition) and return to action at Leavitt next Tuesday.
Brunswick took a 2-2 mark into Tuesday night’s game at Brewer (too late for this edition). The Dragons evened their record with a 60-44 home victory over Messalonskee Friday. Brunswick is home with Lewiston next Tuesday.
In Western C, Hyde (2-1 to date) returns to action Jan. 7 at home versus Hebron.
SUBHEAD-Girls’ basketball
On the girls’ side, Brunswick stayed unbeaten Friday with a 50-46 win at Messalonskee. The Dragons (4-0) visited Brewer Tuesday (too late for this edition). They return to action next Tuesday at Lewiston.
Mt. Ararat is 2-3 on the season after dropping an agonizing 45-43 decision at Nokomis Friday. The Eagles played host to Hampden Tuesday (too late for this edition), then welcome Leavitt next Tuesday.
Morse is still seeking its first win. The Shipbuilders fell to 0-5 Friday with a 41-31 setback at Lawrence. After hosting Messalonskee Tuesday (too late for this edition), Morse goes to Cony next Tuesday.
In Western C, Hyde (2-0 to date) returns to action Jan. 10 against visiting Hebron.
SUBHEAD-Hockey
On the ice, Brunswick fell to 0-3 Saturday with a 4-2 home loss to Waterville. The Dragons hoped to get in the win column Tuesday (too late for this edition) when they went to Mt. Ararat. They’re then idle until Jan. 3 when they host Winthrop.
Speaking of Mt. Ararat, the Eagles dropped to 0-2-1 Friday with a 9-0 setback at Lewiston. After facing Brunswick, Mt. Ararat is off until Jan. 3 when it goes to Cony.
The Brunswick girls are still chasing a victory. The Dragons hosted Winslow Monday (too late for this edition).
SUBHEAD-Indoor track
While the indoor track season doesn’t begin in earnest until the first of the year, Brunswick enjoyed a dominant performance at last weekend’s Bowdoin Relays.
The boys came in first in their meet with 98 points. Mt. Ararat was fifth with 44 points. The Dragons won the sprint, distance, 800 and mile relays.
Individually, Brunswick’s Will Geoghegan won the mile (4 minutes, 28.22 seconds). Mt. Ararat’s Tim Bickford took the triple jump (41 feet, 4 1/2 inches).
In the girls’ meet, Brunswick was first with 79 points, Mt. Ararat was sixth with 36. The Dragons won the sprint and 3,200 relays. The Eagles won the 400 relay.
Individually, Brunswick’s Kristin Slotnick took the long jump (16 feet, 5 inches), while Emily Hartzell won the pole vault (8-6). Mt. Ararat’s Colby Gail won the high jump (4-11).
SUBHEAD-Swimming
In the pool, Brunswick and Mt. Ararat competed with Edward Little over the weekend. The Dragons won the boys’ meet 108-43, but lost on the girls’ side, 91-79. The Eagles had the same story, winning the boys’ meet 97-55 and losing the girls’ meet 89-87.
SUBHEAD-Wrestling
On the mat, Morse and Mt. Ararat did battle last week with the Eagles cruising to a 59-15 victory.