Local athletic teams are ready to move on to 2011 and have plenty of reason for optimism.

Boys’ basketball

The Mt. Ararat boys’ basketball team enters the new year in the No. 6 spot in the Eastern A Heal Points standings after improving to 3-1 last Tuesday with a 44-40 home win over Oxford Hills. Josh Walker scored 16 points, Josh Wright added 15 and Luke Liedman finished with 13.

“I was very proud of our kids’ effort and their heart,” said Mt. Ararat coach Aaron Watson. “We came back against a good basketball team tonight.”

The Eagles returned to action earlier this week, hosting Hampden Academy Tuesday and going to Bangor Thursday. They are home against Messalonskee Tuesday of next week.

Brunswick was 2-2 at the start of the week after winning, 42-23, at Morse and losing, 60-45, at home to Lewiston in recent action. The Dragons (10th in Eastern A) hosted Messalonskee Tuesday and visited Lawrence Thursday.

Morse is still seeking its first win. The Shipbuilders fell to 0-5 last week after losses to Brunswick (42-23) and Cony (65-29). Morse (14th in the region) hosted Lawrence Tuesday and Mt. Blue Thursday and plays at Bangor Tuesday night.

In Western C, Hyde has played (and lost) just one game and is 12th in the standings. The Phoenix finally return to action Wednesday at A.R. Gould.

Girls’ basketball

On the girls’ side, Morse has stolen the most headlines to date. The Shipbuilders entered the week second to Hampden Academy in the Eastern A Heals after improving to 5-0 after recent wins over Brunswick (72-39) and Cony (53-44). Morse hosted Lawrence Tuesday and Mt. Blue Thursday. The Shipbuilders host Bangor Tuesday of next week.

Brunswick bounced back from its loss to Morse, its first of the year, with a 50-28 victory at Lewiston to improve to 3-1 (fifth in Eastern A). The Dragons were home against Messalonskee Tuesday and went to Lawrence Thursday.

Mt. Ararat bounced back from an 0-2 start with wins over Cony (45-42) and Oxford Hills (37-30) to move into the No. 7 spot. The Eagles played at Hampden Tuesday and hosted Bangor Thursday. Tuesday, they’re at Messalonskee.

 In Western D, Hyde takes a 1-1 record and the No. 10 ranking into the new year. The Phoenix are home with Old Orchard Beach next Thursday.

Hockey

The Mt. Ararat/Lisbon co-op boys’ hockey team is 1-2-1 and eighth in Eastern A, falling, 3-1, at home to Hall-dale in its most recent action. Wednesday, the Eagles went to Skowhegan. They return to the ice next Thursday at home versus Cony.

Brunswick lost its first three games, but got in the win column, 2-0, over Gorham last Wednesday. The Dragons (12th in Eastern A) went to Waterville Tuesday and hosted Edward Little Thursday. Brunswick welcomes Messalonskee Monday.

Brunswick’s girls improved to 2-5-1 after an 8-3 home win over Gorham. The Dragons (sixth in the East Region) went to St. Dom’s Tuesday and host Falmouth next Monday.

Track

The indoor track regular season got underway this week.

Swimming

In recent swimming action, Mt. Ararat swept a four-team meet. The Eagles boys beat Winslow (58-30), Lincoln (73-14) and Wiscasset (47-42). The girls downed Winslow (66-24), Lincoln (49-45) and Wiscasset (73-14). Mt. Ararat returns to action Jan. 7 at home against St. Dom’s and Lewiston.

Brunswick swept a recent meet at Lewiston. The boys won, 100-70. The girls were victorious, 98-68. The Dragons host Morse Tuesday.

Sidebar Elements

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Morse senior guard Everett Moye dashes for a loose ball Tuesday evening during the Shipbuilders’ 42-23 home loss to Brunswick.

Morse’s Kevin McKellar looks for Jordan Lister across court, but is blocked by Brunswick defenders Mitchell Black, left, and Trent Anderson.