Two local high school hockey teams are in the midst of their last few regular season games and will enter the state tournament with high hopes this year. Meanwhile, boys and girls basketball teams begin their post-season action next week.
Scarborough’s boys skaters have compiled an impressive 12-3-1 record coming into this week. The Red Storm, who occupy the number two spot in the latest Heal points, have quite a few players who are capable of scoring, most notably Brent Mayo, who has netted multiple goals a number of times this year.
Mayo and his teammates know how to win the close ones, having come out on top in each of their last four games by one goal. This Saturday’s match-up with top-ranked Cheverus (13-2-1) could be a preview of the regional final. The two squads tied, 2-2, when they met five weeks ago.
Scarborough will most likely play a regional quarterfinal game on Feb. 28.
Though their record may not be as impressive, Cape Elizabeth’s boys hockey team (11-6), the defending Class B state champs, have dropped games only to opponents who are among the best in both their own class and in Class A.
The Capers are also streaking, having won six in a row, while giving up just two goals in that span. Goaltender Ryan Hatch seems to be fully recovered from the injury to his right knee that caused him to miss a few games in the middle of the season.
Like the Red Storm, Cape also has numerous scoring options, including Mike Kertes, Drake Livada and Kyle Dancause.
The Capers will probably have a bye into the regional semi-finals, which means that they’ll have to maintain their sharpness despite a layoff from Feb. 18 – their last regular season contest – until Mar. 4.
South Portland’s skaters (8-6) also seem to be headed for the post-season. Coming off last year’s 2-16 season, the Red Riots are hanging onto the ninth spot in the rankings, which puts them in line for a preliminary round game on Feb. 24 or 25.
The nimble and quick Tim Clark, who recently broke the school scoring mark, has had another marvelous season for South Portland, and Matt Michaud – back from the Junior Pirates this year – has shared goalkeeping duties with Amanda Texeira.
The Riots girls basketball team (15-2) winds up another successful regular season with a big test at home against second-ranked Sanford (16-1) tonight (Feb. 9). South Portland is currently ranked fourth, having lost only to Noble (11-7) and McAuley (16-1).
Despite losing 1,000-point scorer Whitney Morrow, the Lady Riots have come back with a team that is more well rounded. With Christina Aceto running the point, Emily Haeuser in the paint and Jackie Rice doing it all, South Portland will likely start the playoffs at the Cumberland County Civic Center on Feb. 18.
The Lady Capers (3-14) are hanging onto the 10th and final Class B west post-season spot and a victory today (Feb. 9) at Falmouth would seem to guarantee a preliminary game. However, beating the Yachtsmen will be tough. Even a loss, though, might not eliminate Cape, depending on what Poland (4-13) does in their finale.
Scarborough’s girls (5-12) are also battling to sneak into states, as they occupy the 12th spot, just beyond the 11 that qualify. A win tomorrow against Cheverus (3-14) could get them in if Massabesic (6-11) should lose to Marshwood (6-11) today.
Should either team qualify, their preliminary games will be on the road on Feb. 15.
The Scarborough (5-12) and South Portland (5-12) boys team are also “on the bubble,” battling with Westbrook (5-12) and Thornton Academy (4-13) for the final two spots. The Red Storm will need to beat the Trojans tomorrow, while the Riots have the unenviable task of finishing Saturday at top-ranked Deering (16-1).
Cape’s boys basketball team (15-2) is one of the great stories of the winter. With 6-foot-7 Joe Geoghegan posting up and Liam O’Shea draining three-pointers, the Capers have lost only on the road against Falmouth (15-1) and Poland (8-8).
They get another chance at the Yachtsmen tomorrow, when Cape finishes off the regular season at home. Depending on the outcome of that game, the Capers will begin their post-season Feb. 17 or 18 at the CCCC.
Cape goes into tomorrow’s game having won eight in a row, including the last two in the final seconds.
Finally, Scarborough and Cape Elizabeth each field girls hockey teams in the non-MPA Maine Girls Ice Hockey Association. That league will hold its own post-season tournament Mar. 1-4.
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