19 Jun 2026 7 min read Newsletters

Newsletter #48...Let's crown some champions

Championship weekend is here.

Buckle up!

We're going to be in for a couple of days of unforgettable drama and triumph and local athletes and teams are going to have a huge say in who brings home the hardware.

A few things I'm looking forward to:

Greely-Freeport girls' lacrosse state final. Say no more.
The Rangers and Falcons have combined to win the past four Class B state championships and that number will increase to five in a few hours. Greely's three-year run ended at the hands of Freeport last season after the Falcons survived the Rangers in a double-overtime semifinal round contest for the ages. Greely, riding a 14-game win streak, is poised to return to the top, but no one makes the Rangers work quite like the Falcons. This one will be fascinating.

Can Gorham's baseball team finish off an unforgettable postseason run?
The Rams, who got a reprieve from Mother Nature in the quarterfinals and got a controversial call to their way against Thornton Academy in the semifinals before eliminating the No. 10 seed, Noble, in the regional final, have to get past Bangor, a state game regular Saturday afternoon, but Gorham welcomes the challenge.

Cheverus softball's date with destiny
The Stags have clearly had no peer all spring and now, just one obstacle remains: upstart Hampden Academy. If you're wondering why a Cheverus-Hampden Academy matchup might sound familiar, the schools met in an epic girls' basketball state game at the end of February, where the Stags rallied from 19 points down to win in overtime. Several of those players are part of a softball team which has outscored the opposition, 191 runs to 4 in its first 19 games. What kind of magic does junior ace Addison DeRoche have up her sleeve? I can't wait to find out.

NYA softball back where it belongs?
The North Yarmouth Academy softball team was seeking its third straight Class D title a year ago and had an early lead over Buckfield in the regional final before poor field conditions caused the game to be postponed and it had to be replayed from scratch, much to the Panthers' chagrin. NYA lost that game, but this season, the Panthers have already gotten their revenge against the Bucks and now, they have just one obstacle remaining, a very talented Penobscot Valley team. NYA is poised to return to the pinnacle.

NYA vs. Marancook/Winthrop times two.
Both the NYA boys' and girls' lacrosse teams will have to get through the Marancook/Winthrop co-op to bring home a championship Saturday. The boys are seeking a repeat title against the team they beat a year ago. The Panthers girls were down four goals with five minutes left in the semifinals against Wells but somehow rallied to win in overtime. They'll seek their third all-time title against a Maranacook/Winthrop squad which is the only one on the girls' side that has won every game so far. NYA will need a little more magic, but don't bet against it.

Can the TA girls make history?
Actually, Thornton Academy's girls' lacrosse team has already etched its name in program lore by reaching the state final for the first time, but the Golden Trojans have never won the big prize. After ending Windham's title reign in the semifinals Wednesday, Thornton Academy goes up against the state's gold standard over the past decade, Kennebunk, on the big stage Saturday. The Golden Trojans dropped an earlier meeting to the Rams, but they're hungry and they believe their time is now. This could be the start of an era of dominance.

Falmouth hopes to right last year's wrong
A year ago, the Falmouth boys were being touted as the finest lacrosse team the state of Maine had ever seen. Then, the Navigators were stunned by Thornton Academy in the state final. This season, no one has been relatively close to beating Falmouth and while the Navigators won't get to complete the circle and avenge last year's setback, they're more than excited to take on a Yarmouth squad which won the past two Class B championships (both in overtime thrillers) in the final game of the spring sports season and school year Saturday night. Falmouth won't be taking anything for granted this time around and the Clippers, who ended Thornton Academy's title reign, believe they have what it takes to spring one more upset.

Like I said, buckle up.

Read on for links to stories and stay tuned for blanket coverage of the biggest games...

More Gatorade, please

Scarborough senior Finn Coburn, our boys' soccer Player of the Year, was recently named Maine's Gatorade Player of the Year as well. Coburn helped the Red Storm win the Class A state championship back in November. Coburn scored 12 goals and had five assists last season. He will play soccer next year at Bates College.

Cape Elizabeth senior Noelle Mallory, our Girls' Soccer Player of the Year last fall, who led the Capers to the Class B crown in November, was named Maine's girls' soccer Gatorade Player of the Year this week as well. Mallory, who had 31 goals and 24 assists last season, will play soccer next year at Middlebury College in Vermont.

Milestones

Another week, more milestones...

Greely's girls' lacrosse team has had plenty to celebrate of late. Sophomore goalie Liv Clark recently recorded her 200th career save. Seniors Avery Bush, left, and Kelsey Crocker have both scooped up 100 ground balls during their time in a Rangers uniform.

North Yarmouth Academy girls' lacrosse goalie Mallory Kulas recently reached 100 saves for her career.

Meanwhile, teammate Cody Strawbridge has reached 100 career points for the Panthers.

In case you missed it

Game stories from the past week...

Cheverus girls avenge regular season loss, eliminate Falmouth

Thornton Academy girls beat Yarmouth in quarterfinals

Westbrook's magic runs out with semifinal loss at Bonny Eagle

Cheverus comes to life to oust Gorham in semifinals

Cheverus' comeback falls short in semifinal loss to Noble

Gorham holds on for semifinal round win over Thornton Academy

Gorham ends Noble's run, wins Class A South crown

Cheverus rides another gem from DeRoche to regional championship

TA girls end Windham's reign, reach states for first time

Yarmouth stuns defending champs TA in semifinals

Media

Tuesday morning's WGAN spot with Matt Gagnon:

https://wgan.com/morning-news/hoffers-high-school-sports-31/

Last Friday's spot on Middays with Mannix and Mannix:

https://thebigjab.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MMM-6-12-26-Michael-Hoffer.mp3

Features

Hoffer's High School Sports, in conjunction with cPort Credit Union, named North Yarmouth Academy sophomore pitching and hitting standout Lily Fortin our Athlete of the Week.

There were no polls this week. Look for final baseball, softball, boys' lacrosse and girls' lacrosse polls next week.

This week's Hoffer's High School Sports podcast featured a preview of the state finals.

What's on tap

Simply put, a lot.

Friday evening at Deering High School, the Class B state lacrosse championships will be held.

Saturday at Deering, Class A and Class C lacrosse determine their finest. Elsewhere in the state, baseball and softball Gold Gloves will be bestowed.

Then, it's time for a break and before you know it, fall sports will be all the rage.

Play of the week

Let's wrap this up with the play of the week...Cheverus' Addison DeRoche's most improbable RBI of her career so far, a bunt single that went to the outfield in the Stags' regional final win over Bonny Eagle.