Local athletes and teams continue to set the bar with plenty of challenges to come.

Here’s a glimpse:

Boys’ basketball

Hyde’s boys’ basketball team began 2013 the way it ended 2012, red-hot. The Phoenix opened with wins over host Valley (72-69) and host Seacoast Christian (41-35) to improve to 6-0 (first in the Western D Heal Points standings). Hyde was at Islesboro Thursday, hosts North Yarmouth Academy Friday and welcomes Pine Tree Academy Monday.

In Eastern A, Brunswick is 6-3 and fifth in the Heals at press time after wins at Erskine (50-48) and Mt. Blue (70-39). The Dragons go to undefeated Hampden Academy Friday and host Skowhegan Monday.

Mt. Ararat was 4-4 and seventh after a 43-35 win at Lewiston and a 72-52 setback at Messalonskee last week. The Eagles hosted Hampden Acadedmy Tuesday, visit Brewer Friday and play at Mt. Blue Tuesday of next week.

In Western B, Morse was 4-4 and seventh in the Heals at the start of the week. Last week, the Shipbuilders won at Mt. View, 54-41, and lost at home to Maine Central Institute, 32-24. Morse went to Oceanside Tuesday,  hosts Waterville Friday and welcomes Winslow Thursday of next week.

Girls’ basketball

The Hyde girls’ squad is just as red-hot as the boys. The Phoenix also improved to 6-0 by opening 2013 with wins at home over Valley (48-16) and at Seacoast Christian (43-28). Against the Cavaliers, Diamond Brown had 13 points, Katie Comeaux added 11 and Kara Fischer had 10. In the win at Seacoast Christian, Allie Helfrich had seven points. Hyde (fifth in the Heals) was at Hebron Tuesday and Islesboro Thursday, goes to NYA Friday and hosts Pine Tree Academy Monday.

In Eastern A, Mt. Ararat was atop the Eastern A Heals at press time with an 8-0 record after recent wins over visiting Lewiston (59-39) and Messalonskee (53-36). After going to Hampden Academy Tuesday, the Eagles host Brewer Friday and visit Mt. Blue Tuesday of next week.

Brunswick opened 2013 with its first win, 58-45, over visiting Erskine, then fell to 1-8 with a 53-25 home loss to Mt. Blue. The Dragons (12th in Eastern A) host Hampden Academy Friday and go to Skowhegan Monday.

In Western B, Morse began the week 3-5 and 15th in the Heals. Last week, the Shipbuilders dropped a 41-40 decision at Mt. View and won at MCI, 45-32. Morse hosted Oceanside Thursday, goes to Waterville Monday and is at Winslow Thursday of next week.

Hockey

On the ice, Brunswick’s boys are 4-2 and fifth in Eastern A as of press time. The Dragons opened 2013 with a 3-0 win at Mt. Ararat. Brunswick hosted Cheverus Wednesday, visit Scarborough Saturday and welcome Mt. Ararat Wednesday of next week.

The Eagles are 2-4 and ninth after the loss to Brunswick. Mt. Ararat was home with Edward Little Thursday, welcomes Skowhegan Saturday, Hall-Dale/Winthrop/Maranacook Monday and Brunswick Wednesday.

On the girls’ side, Brunswick is 4-6 and fifth in the East Region after wins at Yarmouth (5-1) and Mt. Ararat (3-0). The Dragons went to Cheverus Thursday, visit Scarborough Saturday, welcome Leavitt/EL Monday and Mt. Ararat Wednesday.

The Eagles fell to 0-10 with their 3-0 loss to Brunswick. Mt. Ararat (eighth in the East) was home with Winslow Thursday, plays at Lewiston Friday and visits Brunswick Wednesday.

Indoor track

Brunswick’s girls’ indoor track team won a seven-team league meet last weekend (Morse placed sixth). The Dragons boys were second, while the Shipbuilders came in seventh.

Mt. Ararat was second to Waterville on both the boys’ and girls’ sides in a 10-team meet.

Wrestling

Mt. Ararat’s wrestling team is 10-5 after beating Gardiner (48-36), Lincoln (48-21) and Erskine (39-36) Saturday. The Eagles were at Camden Hills Wednesday and host Belfast, Lincoln, MCI and Oxford Hills Saturday.

Morse is 4-12 after going 2-1 Saturday. The Shipbuilders lost to Cony (54-29), but beat Winslow (48-30) and Brewer (42-29). After going to Medomak Wednesday, Morse is home Saturday versus Erskine, Medomak and Oceanside. 

Sidebar Elements

---

Mt. Ararat sophomore Mason Griffin goes up for two points during the Eagles’ 59-37 home loss to defending Eastern A champion Hampden Academy Tuesday night.

Mt. Ararat freshman Shyheim Ulrickson finds himself amid the Hampden Academy trees. Despite Ulrickson’s team-high 18 points, the Eagles fell to 4-5 with the loss.