Newsletter #10...What a spectacular spring it was
Ah, high school sports.
Just when we think we have it all figured out, we're reminded that we simply have no clue.
In last week's newsletter, I wrote the following:
"Falmouth's boys' lacrosse team broke through and won Class A last season and the moment its victory over Cape Elizabeth ended, the Navigators were preemptively crowned 2025 champions. Falmouth hasn't disappointed thus far and is not only in line for a repeat, but is also firmly in the discussion of the finest team ever assembled in Maine. We'll have more on that verdict following Saturday's state game, presuming the Navigators can get past Thornton Academy."
Well, that verdict is in and it's guilty, as in I (and everyone else) got caught up in the hype and didn't see the Golden Trojans' upset for the ages coming.
And that unforgettable stunner was just a small part of a breathtaking championship weekend, which saw seven of the eight local teams still standing bring home a trophy, with the one that didn't, Falmouth, being the seemingly safest bet of all heading in.
Never say die
Greely's baseball team has suffered its share of agonizing June losses in recent years, but this time around, the Rangers were the one dishing out the pain. After a walk-off win over Fryeburg Academy in the regional final, Greely trailed Ellsworth, 5-1, entering the top of the seventh inning in Saturday's Class B state final, but the Rangers had the Eagles right where they wanted them and tied the score on Kyle Soule's two-out, two-run single.
Greely then went ahead when Wes Piper stole home. Sylas Almy slammed the door in the bottom of the seventh and the Rangers had an improbable 6-5 victory and their first championship in a decade.
"In the practices leading to the game, I kept telling them, it was going to be the greatest story ever told," said longtime Greely coach Derek Soule. "It wasn't the script I had in mind, but it ended up being the greatest story, at least in my 25 years."
Full game story: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/greelys-miracle-rally-produces-first-state-title-in-a-decade/
Validation
A year after an agonizing regional final loss to Cheverus, Windham's softball team peaked at the right time and won the Class A state title, 7-0, over Edward Little. Senior ace Kennedy Kimball didn't allow a hit until the final inning, struck out 11 and junior shortstop Addie Caiazzo and first baseman Yani Kostopoulos came up huge on the offensive end.
"I wanted it so bad for these girls and they wanted it so bad for each other," said Windham coach Darcey Gardiner. "We wanted to get to that last game and be able to say we were the best."
Full game story: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/windham-softball-leaves-no-doubt-blanks-el-in-state-final/
Brilliance
Back to lacrosse, the titles came fast and furiously last weekend, as in a 25-hour span, five local champions were crowned.
Chronologically, NYA's boys ascended first, as Gavin Thomas scored five goals and back-to-back fourth quarter tallies from Zack Leinwand produced a 9-7 win over Maranacook/Winthrop.
"It's really special to win it with this group of boys," Thomas said. "The past couple years helped us build up to our potential. We knew we had a chance this year and we did it."
Full game story: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/nya-boys-save-best-for-last-edge-maranacook-winthrop-to-win-class-c-crown/
Saturday morning, Windham's girls, who had never before played in a state final, never mind win one, shot to a quick 4-0 lead over perennial powerhouse Kennebunk and went on to a 12-9 victory, capturing Class A for the first time. Junior Abby Trainor paced the cause with five goals.
"This whole year was about making sure we built confidence and believed," said Eagles' coach Matt Perkins. "You think about who's here every year, Kennebunk, Falmouth and Yarmouth, and we beat them all. It was a tough path, but we wouldn't want it any other way. The girls worked hard. They buy in. They're so coachable."
Full game story: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/windham-leads-wire-to-wire-beats-kennebunk-for-first-state-championship/
The Falmouth and TA boys were next and while the Golden Trojans held the lead almost all the way, few thought they'd prevail, but with the game hanging in the balance, Thornton Academy made the plays to bring the curtain down on a history-making 8-6 victory, thanks to two goals apiece from Jack DeLeo and Ben White, faceoff circle dominance from Grady Hersey and 16 saves from goalie Colin Pennell.
"This is awesome," said longtime Thornton Academy coach Ryan Hersey. "I'm so proud of the kids. This is sweet because it was so unexpected. It's remarkable."
Full game story: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/ta-boys-spring-historic-upset-shock-seemingly-invincible-falmouth-in-state-game/
After the Class A games produced surprise results, Class B brought down-to-the-wire drama.
The Yarmouth and York boys, one year removed from an overtime epic, won by the Clippers, 13-12, on Colter Olson's goal, needed more than 48 minutes again to produce a similar result. On six different occasions, Yarmouth fell behind, but the Clippers didn't buckle and behind Brady Martin's goal with 40 seconds to go, they seemingly secured another title, but with just 9 seconds left, Evan Anastas scored for the Wildcats, forcing overtime. There, after forcing a York turnover, Yarmouth finished it on a goal from junior Hakon Yeo, to prevail, 14-13.
"The whole game was so intense, back-and-forth," said Clippers' coach and one-time star player Jon Miller. "It was a grind until the very last shot. This has turned into a huge rivalry for us. There's nothing I need to do as a coach to get the guys pumped up to play York. Both teams played their hearts out today."
Full game story: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/dejayarmouth-york/
The final game of the weekend saw the Freeport girls go wire-to-wire, but never gain comfortable separation against Mt. Ararat in a battle of unbeatens. While the Egales hung tough, the Falcons went on to an 11-9 victory, culminating the finest season in program history behind four goals from senior star Lana DiRusso and three goals from senior standout Mia Levesque.
"What a week and what a season," said Freeport coach Marcia Wood. Lots of emotion, but such a happy ending. Such a relief."
Full game story: https://www.hoffershighschoolsports.com/freeport-girls-down-mt-ararat-to-win-class-b-title-in-perfect-fashion/
Cream of the crop
A quick glance/first blush list of my top five favorite games/memories from the spring sports season (games I saw in person):
5) Falmouth-Yarmouth showdown with a lot of buzz
3) Kyle Soule's redemption sends Greely to states
2) A girls' lacrosse double-overtime instant classic
1) Yarmouth and York boys make lightning strike twice
Final polls
A final round of Super6 polls, now that the season is in the books. These polls include teams from our coverage area, from Thornton Academy to Freeport:
Baseball
1 Greely
2 Thornton Academy
3 Scarborough
4 Gorham
5 South Portland
6 Cape Elizabeth
The Rangers overcame a decade of frustration with a week they'll never forget, one which culminated in a championship. Local Class A South teams all had their chances to make it to states, but ultimately, they all fell short.
Softball
1 Windham
2 Cheverus
3 Gorham
4 NYA
5 Freeport
6 Greely
The Eagles are back on top, of this poll and Class A. The Stags are an extremely close second.
Boys' lacrosse
1 Thornton Academy
2 Falmouth
3 Yarmouth
4 Cape Elizabeth
5 South Portland
6 NYA
The Golden Trojans are easily the biggest mover after their state game upset of the Navigators, who were the best team all season, until it mattered most. The Clippers continued to live a charmed life, walking the overtime high-wire for a repeat title.
Girls' lacrosse
1 Windham
2 Freeport
3 Thornton Academy
4 Greely
5 Yarmouth
6 Cape Elizabeth
The Eagles landed atop the heap and they might just make this a regular occurrence. The Falcons were fabulous, but they got pushed big-time in their final two outings.
A look ahead
The games are done until early September, but there will still be plenty of content here at Hoffer's High School Sports.
I'm planning to produce all-star teams for baseball, softball, boys' lacrosse and girls' lacrosse, All-HHSS teams, if you will. I'll post one per week, so there will be plenty to read well into the summer. Each sport will have a Player of the Year, 11 other all-stars, a Team of the Year and a Coach of the Year.
Newsletters will appear monthly over the summer, then return to their weekly format in September.
Gratitude
Let me close with two words:
Thank You!
Thank you to all of you who have bought into my vision, given me encouragement, advice and supported me in multiple ways from day one and throughout this spring season.
Thank you to Jeff Christenbury and Kneka Smith, who have been generous and so helpful with photos.
A big thank you to my beautiful wife, Angi Hoffer, who has supported me unconditionally throughout the process.
And a huge thank you to my friends at cPort Credit Union, our exclusive partner.
It's been a great spring and I believe that the best is yet to come.
I look forward to September, but am looking forward to some down time first.
Have a wonderful summer everyone!
Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com
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