Here’s some good news for those who don’t like the snow and cold.

Winter is half over.

Well, the winter sports season is halfway finished anyway.

As we hit the middle of January, it’s time to start thinking about earning enough wins to qualify for the playoffs and about postseason positioning.

Here’s a glimpse at where things stand after another busy week:

Boys’ basketball

Hyde’s basketball team suffered its first loss last Tuesday, dropping a close 53-50 decision at Seacoast Christian. The Phoenix bounced right back and defeated visiting nemesis Valley, 47-30, and improved to 6-1 with a 51-8 home victory over Highview Christian Academy. Against the Cavaliers, Kiefer Cundy had 11 points. Hyde (fourth in the Western Class D Heal Points standings) was home versus North Yarmouth Academy Tuesday, welcomes Islesboro Thursday, goes to Sacopee Valley Saturday and plays host to Rangeley Tuesday of next week.

Iin Western B, Morse was atop the Heals with a 9-2 mark following a 70-57 home win over Oceanside and a 46-44 home victory over Winslow. The Shipbuilders were at Lincoln Academy Tuesday and host Erskine Academy Friday.

In Eastern A, Brunswick was sixth in the Heals despite a 4-7 record following losses last week at Cony (55-52), at home to Messalonskee (52-48) and at Mt. Ararat (58-51). The Dragons were at Mt. Blue Tuesday and visit Brewer Friday.

Mt. Ararat was also 4-7 and 10th (only nine teams made the playoffs). Last week, the Eagles lost at Messalonskee (60-45) and at home to Oxford Hills (58-52) before beating visiting Brunswick, 58-51. Mt. Ararat was at Edward Little Tuesday and hosts reigning regional champion Hampden Academy Friday.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Hyde was undefeated at press time. Last week, the Phoenix downed host Seacoast Christian (50-32), visiting Valley (34-26) and visiting Highview Christian Academy (50-21). Against the Cavaliers, Lili Allen and Diamond Brown both had 12 points. The Phoenix (6-0 and fifth in the Western Class D Heals) was at NYA Tuesday, hosts Islesboro Thursday, plays at Sacopee Valley Saturday and hosts Rangeley Tuesday of next week.

In Eastern A, Brunswick began the week fifth at 6-4 after wins over visiting Cony (68-34), at Messalonskee (64-40) and at Mt. Ararat (52-35). After hosting Mt. Blue Tuesday, the Dragons play host to Brewer Friday and have a makeup game at Brewer Monday.

Mt. Ararat was 4-7 and ninth after a 56-30 loss at Oxford Hills and a 52-35 home loss to Brunswick. The Eagles hosted Edward Little Wednesday and go to Hampden Academy Friday.

In Western B, Morse was 4-7 and 12th after losses at Oceanside (42-36) and Winslow (43-29). The Shipbuilders were home with Lincoln Academy Tuesday and play at Erskine Academy Friday.

Hockey

On the ice, Brunswick’s boys were up to third in the Eastern A Heals at 8-1 after beating visiting Mt. Ararat (5-1) and South Portland (5-2). The Dragons hosted St. Dom’s Tuesday and went to Cheverus Thursday and visit Lawrence/Skowhegan Saturday.

Mt. Ararat was 1-7 and eighth in Eastern A (seven teams make the playoffs) after a 5-1 loss at Brunswick and an 8-0 home loss to Edward Little. After hosting South Portland Thursday, the Eagles play at Lake Region Saturday.

On the girls’ side, Mt. Ararat was clinging to the sixth and final East Region playoff spot at 2-10-1 after a 3-1 win at Brunswick and a 7-0 home loss to Yarmouth/Freeport/Gray-New Gloucester. The Eagles hosted Greely Wednesday and welcomed Edward Little/Leavitt Thursday. They play at Gorham Monday.

Brunswick was seventh with a 1-11 mark following a 3-1 loss to visiting Mt. Ararat. The Dragons were home against St. Dom’s Tuesday and went to Cheverus Thursday. They play at Winslow Monday.

Indoor track

Local indoor track teams were part of a 10-team KVAC meet last weekend at Bowdoin.

In the boys’ meet, Brunswick was third, Morse seventh and Mt. Ararat 10th (Lewiston came in first).

In the girls’ meet, also won by Lewiston, Brunswick placed third and Mt. Ararat came in ninth.

Skiing

In the Hornet Classic Saturday, Mt. Ararat’s girls placed 17th.

Wrestling

Mt. Ararat’s wrestling team was 12-6 entering the week. Last week, the Eagles beat Gardiner (53-15), Mt. Blue (60-12), Lincoln Academy (54-24) and Morse (42-24) and lost to Belfast (54-24). Mt. Ararat was at Cony Wednesday, compete in the Essex Junction Tournament Saturday and compete at Medomak Valley Monday.

Morse was 3-9 after losses to Erskine Academy (54-24), Belfast (48-30) and Mt. Ararat (42-24). The Shipbuilders hosted Mt. Blue Wednesday, welcome Medomak Valley and Winslow Saturday and go to Medomak Valley Monday.

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