Basketball isn’t the only winter sport heating up (please see story). The rest of the winter sports landscape has featured plenty of action in recent days. Here’s a glimpse:

Boys’ hockey

Cheverus and Portland’s boys’ hockey teams squared off Monday afternoon in a contest pivotal for Heal Points.

The surprising Stags won their first five games this winter, then lost, 1-0, to visiting defending Western B champion York Saturday. Cheverus (second in the Western A Heals) is at Gorham Saturday.

The Bulldogs entered Monday’s showdown at 4-4, clinging to the eighth and final Western A playoff spot. Portland beat visiting Yarmouth, 6-3, Thursday, but lost at Bangor Saturday, 4-0. In the victory, Eddie Apon had three goals, Brandon Guimond a pair and Colin Merrill one. Jon Gatti stopped 20 shots in the loss to Bangor. The Bulldogs host South Portland Thursday and Falmouth Saturday.

A year after its surprising run to the playoffs, Deering has struggled. The Rams fell to 1-5 after recent losses to visiting Marshwood (7-2) and host Maranacook (4-1).  Deering (14th in Western A) is at Massabesic/Old Orchard Beach Thursday.

Girls’ hockey

On the girls’ side, Cheverus, the defending state champion, is still in the thick of the playoff hunt, entering the week 7-4 and third in the West region Heal Points standings. The Stags were at Lewiston Monday and host York Saturday.

Portland dropped to sixth in the West (only four teams qualify for the playoffs) after a 6-4 setback to Edward Little/Leavitt Saturday, the Bulldogs’ fourth loss in succession. After hosting Scarborough Monday, Portland is at Gorham Saturday.

Waynflete’s co-op team with Cape Elizabeth entered the week 2-9 and seventh in the West after recent home losses to York (7-5) and Falmouth (6-3). It was at York Monday and visits Brunswick Saturday.

Indoor track

Week two of the indoor track regular season at the Portland Expo produced more excitement.

Deering matched up with Bonny Eagle, Massabesic and powerhouse Scarborough.

The Rams were second in the boys’ competition with 89.5 points to finish second to the Red Storm (130). Event winners included James Ociti (junior 400, 57.2 seconds), Jared Bell (junior shot put, 42 feet, 00.75 inches), Renaldo Lowry (senior 40, 4.7; and senior 200, 25.3), Carleton Allen (senior 45 hurdles, 6.1) and Tom Dean (two-mile, 10 minutes, 55.3 seconds).

The girls were third with 83.5 points behind Bonny Eagle (93) and Scarborough (91). Casey Girsch took the junior 400 (1:11.6) and the junior 45 hurdles (7.4). Alexis Elowitch won the junior shot put (29-6.25). Edie Pallozzi was first in the mile (5:38.7). The Rams also won the senior relay (1:55.5).

Portland’s boys and girls defeated Biddeford and Windham in their meet.

The Bulldogs boys won with 83.5 points (the Tigers had 70.5 and the Eagles 43). Portland got junior division wins from Anthony Green in the 40 (5.1) and the 200 (27.5), Charlie Gauvin in the 400 (1:05.2), Drew Graham in the 45 hurdles (6.5), Tate Gale in the shot put (35-4) and its 4×140 relay team (1:14.2).  In the senior division, winners included Imadhi Zagon in the 40 (4.8) and the 200 (25.4) and Abde Ahmed in the 400 (57.2). Zagon also took the open high jump (5-10) and the Bulldogs were first in the 4×210 open relay (1:45.8).

The girls wound up with 81 points, four better than Biddeford and 43 ahead of Windham. Nyawal Lia took the senior 400 (1:10.7), Kalli Daggett was first in the senior 800 (2:39.5), Mariana Angelo took the junior 200 (31 seconds), Pamela Lobor won the junior 800 (2:46.1), Abby Daggett was first in the open mile (6:38.2) and Portland’s senior relay won in 1:59.9.

Cheverus competed against Gorham and Noble.

The Stags boys won with 84 points. Zeb Tarasevich took the junior 800 (2:19.6). Elijah Yeboa won the junior 400 (1:01.2). Randy Troiano was first in the senior 200 (27.7) and the senior 40 (5.1). Jackson McMann captured the junior 200 (26.6). Jimmy Campbell won the 300 (37.9). Jack Terwilliger was first in the two-mile (10:05.8) and Matt Cushing won the junior shot put (34 feet).

The girls’ meet included McAuley. Gorham won with 88 points, the Lions were runners-up with 84 and the Stags came in third with 58.

McAuley got wins from Samantha Libby in the junior 40 (5.7), Taxia Arabatzis in the mile (6:05.8) and Jaime LaCasse in the senior shot put (27-3.5).

Cheverus winners included Caroline Summa (senior 200, 29.4; senior 40, 5.5; and high jump, 5-0), Lizzie Gwilym (senior 400, 1:09.0), freshman Kiera Murray (600, 1:47.6) and its 1,640 relay (4:34.4).

This Saturday, Cheverus meets up with Scarborough and Thornton Academy, Deering faces Biddeford and Gorham, McAuley and Portland go up against Bonny Eagle and Westbrook.

Swimming

We’re closing in the on the start of the swimming postseason and local teams continue to do well.

Friday, Cheverus split a meet with powerhouse Cape Elizabeth as the girls triumphed, 104-77, while the boys fell short, 96-83. The Stags are at Falmouth this Friday.

Deering and McAuley faced each other, as well as Westbrook last weekend. The Rams boys beat the Blue Blazes. Deering beat McAuley on the girls’ side, but lost to Westbrook. The Lions result against the Blue Blazes was unavailable.

Deering is home against Scarborough Friday. McAuley visits Cape Elizabeth.

Portland’s boys and girls lost to Windham last weekend (boys, 106-66, girls, 102-58). The Bulldogs are at Sanford Friday.

Waynflete (along with NYA) returns to action Saturday at Kennebunk.

Skiing

With plenty of snow to be found, the Alpine and Nordic ski seasons have picked up.

On the slopes, Cheverus, Deering and Portland took part in a seven-team slalom meet last week. The Stags girls came in third, the boys fourth. The Bulldogs girls’ squad placed fifth. Portland’s Carter Williams was the fastest boys, finishing his two runs in a combined time of 1 minute, 31.33 seconds. Deering’s Kuba Chandler placed third (1:40.56). Ryan Hoffman was Cheverus’ top finisher (18th, 1:57.83). On the girls’ side, Deering’s Ania Chandler placed fifth (1:52.51), even though her team didn’t score. Cheverus’ Katie Drake was seventh (1:52.98).

On the Nordic side, Portland’s girls were ninth at the Hornet Classic. Abby Popenoe led the way with a 17th-place showing (21:16). Deering’s boys also took part and were 16th (Chandler placed 30th in 18:58).

Wrestling

Deering’s wrestling team took part at the Kennebunk Duals last weekend. The Rams lost to Wells (51-17) and Kennebunk (36-25). Deering is at Windham Wednesday, while Portland grapples at Bonny Eagle. Cheverus goes to Marshwood Saturday.

In the latest SMAA weight class standings, Cheverus’ Iain Whitis (4-0 on the season) is first at 112-pounds. Portland’s Cody Brown-Meehan (5-5) is fourth at 119. Deering’s Zach Bushey (2-4) is fourth at 152. Teammate Connor Darling (5-2) is second at 189.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net