While much of the high school sports world’s attention was focused on the basketball tournament last week (see story), indoor track, swimming and skiing were crowning state champions and local athletes earned their share of accolades.

If that’s not enough excitement, the boys’ hockey tournament is now underway, as we near the conclusion of the winter sports season.

Here’s a glimpse of what occurred last week and what’s on tap:

Indoor track

After losing in heartbreaking fashion to Falmouth a year ago, Scarborough’s boys’ indoor track and field powerhouse won the Class A title for the fifth time in six years and for the sixth time since 2009 when it tallied 74 points to finish 29 ahead of Falmouth. South Portland (10 points) placed 14th.

The Red Storm were paced by Colin Tardiff, who won the mile in 4 minutes, 29.14 seconds, Griffin Madden who captured the 55 hurdles in 7.79 seconds, Sam Rusak, who was first in both the high jump (6 feet, 2 inches) and the pole vault (15-6), and their 4×800 relay team (Connor Doherty, Shamus Malia, Andrew Sholl and Tardiff), which posted a time of 8:10.32, good for a new meet record.

Doherty was runner-up in the two-mile (9:50.92). Tardiff came in fourth in the 800 (2:02.76). Alex Dionne came in fourth in the pole vault (12-6). Rusak was sixth in the 400 (52.30). Sholl placed sixth in the mile (4:38.42). 

Scarborough’s 4×200 relay team (Christopher Dionne, Matthew Blaisdell, Ben Batoosingh and Madden) placed fourth (1:36.22).

South Portland’s points came from Jake Maloney (third in the mile (4:31.85), its fifth-place 4×200 relay team (Maxwell Holmes, Isaiah Anderson, Benjamin Sivik and Blake, 1:37.36) and Noah Blake (seventh in the 55, 6.86).

In the girls’ meet, won by Edward Little with 52 points, Scarborough (29) placed sixth and South Portland (25) was seventh.

The Red Storm featured Bethany Sholl, who was runner-up in the two-mile (11:29.55). Gaby Panagakos finished fourth in the 400 (1:01.52). Laura Volan placed fourth in the mile (5:38.92). Ellen Shaw finished sixth in the 55 hurdes (9.07). Marisa Carbone was seventh in the 800 (2:27.65). Edie Christian placed seventh in the pole vault (8-6). Scarborough’s 4×800 relay team (Panagakos, Samantha Saraceno, Sholl and Carbone) came in second to Falmouth (10:01.79). The Red Storm’s 4×200 relay squad (Christian, Laura Powell, Shaw and Panagakos) placed seventh (1:54.87)

The Red Riots got a win from Juliana Selser in the 800 (2:20.34). Callie O’Brien was fourth in the 55 hurdles (8.99). Lingdong Bol came in fourth in the high jump (5-0). Serena McKenzie placed sixth in the two-mile (12:06.76). South Portland’s 4×200 relay team (O’Brien, Rachel Haynes, Meagan Johnson and Selser) finished fifth (1:52.40). The Red Riots’ 4×800 relay squad (McKenzie, Molly Skeffington, Toia Francis and Selser) was sixth (10:33.33).

In Class B, the Cape Elizabeth girls tallied 7 points and placed 19th (Orono was the champion with 87). The Capers’ 4×800 relay team (Megan Nicholson, Lily Bergh, Liv Palma and Samantha Feenstra) was fourth (10:31.52). Palma finished seventh in the mile (5:36.08) and seventh in the two-mile (12:13.99). Feenstra was seventh in the 800 (2:35.22). 

Cape Elizabeth’s boys didn’t score (York was the champion). 

The New England indoor track and field championships are Sunday in Boston.

Swimming

Scarborough’s swim teams enjoyed their best showing at the Class A state meet since 2010, as the girls were runners-up and the boys came in fourth.

The Red Storm girls had 256 points, which was only bested by Brunswick (289). South Portland (42 points) came in 16th.

Scarborough’s 200 freestyle relay team (Jane Greenberg, Leah Desveaux, Emma MacDonald and Hannah Griffin) was runner-up to Brunswick in 1 minute, 44.94 seconds. The 400 free relay squad (Charlotte Pratt, Greenberg, MacDonald and Griffin) also finished second to the Dragons in 3:44.33, breaking the 11-year-old school record in the process. The Red Storm’s 200 medley relay team (Pratt, Edie Frederick, Raeanna Pittman and Desveaux) finished sixth (2:02.22).

Individually, Pratt was second in the 200 individual medley (2:13.89) and runner-up in the breaststroke (1:10.81). Griffin placed third in the 100 free (56.14 seconds) and fourth in the 200 free (2:02.30). MacDonald was third in the 500 free (5:30.80) and fifth in the 200 free (with a personal record time of 2:02.50). Greenberg finished fourth in the 100 free (57.47) and fifth in the 50 free (with a personal record time of 25.91). Desveaux, who was seeded 10th, finished seventh in the IM (2:23.84).

“It was a great meet by all,” said Red Storm coach Eric French. “My quote of the night was, ‘Ladies, we have nothing to lose and everything to gain.’ I’m not sure if they took it all to heart and went for it. We had tough meets all year with Cheverus. We beat them in a dual meet by less than 15 points, then again at Southwesterns and once more at states to take second by five points.

“Next year, it’s (no longer) can we be a top three team, but can we hold in there and maybe just maybe win it all? How badly do we want it? Is it in our hearts, minds and souls to earn it? It’s not going to come easily and the coaches know it, but do the kids? At the end of the day everything comes down to one last swim, one last second, one last goal, to win states.”

The Red Riots’ top finisher was Kristina McCarthy, who placed sixth in the 100 backstroke (1:06.04).

The Scarborough boys finished with 169.5 points. Cheverus won a fourth consecutive crown with 339.5. South Portland (64) finished 14th.

The Red Storm were led individually by Ryan O’Leary, who came in sixth in the 200 free (1:58.72). Kyle Ankermann finished sixth in the 100 free (51.86) and seventh in the 50 free (23.61). TJ Hinkle III was seventh in the 500 free (5:30.41) and eighth in the IM (2:12.58). 

Scarborough’s 400 free relay team (Drew Simoneau, O’Leary, Hinkle and Ankermann) was seventh (3:35.85). The Red Storm’s medley relay (Sam Greenberg, Sam Curtis, Hinkle and Ankermann) finished eighth (1:50.81).

“This year, we added three new boys who helped in the scoring process,” French said. “We had a total of 32 swimmers make the state team, which was up from 22 the year before. This year’s freshmen class was a special one. It’s been a great year for the kids, but next season we start blank and everything is back up for grabs. For next season, the goal will be can we be a top three team? Can we get in the pool and swim in the offseason and get to that next level?” 

The Red Riots’ top finisher was Momchil Dagorov (sixth in the 500 free, 5:21.99).

Cape Elizabeth’s swim teams nearly got to the top spot in Class B, but both placed second.

The boys had 271.5 points, but that wasn’t enough to catch Ellsworth.

Alex Mukai was runner-up in the 500 free (4:56.86) and fifth in the 100 free (1:51.98). Sam Loring came in third in the IM (2:06.13) and third in the breaststroke (1:03.67). Kyle Long came in fifth in the backstroke (57.78) and seventh in the 100 free (50.79). Oliver Kraft placed sixth in the fly (56.54) and sixth in the backstroke (58.25). Rohan Freedman finished eighth in the IM (2:12.42). Matt Yim placed eighth in the 500 free (5:22.88).

Cape Elizabeth’s medley relay team (Mukai, Loring, Long and RJ Sarka) finished third (1:43.40). The 200 free relay (Freedman, Elliot McGinn, Tommy Brett and Sarka) placed fourth (1:36.63) and the 400 free relay (Long, Freedman, Mukai and Loring) also came in fourth (3:25.90). 

The Capers girls were very close to a championship, but finished seven points behind Greely (314-321).

Cape Elizabeth won the medley relay, as Hope Campbell, Maddie Culkin, Olivia Tighe and Alicia Lawrence had a time of 1:52.93, and also took the 400 free relay, as Tighe, Jade Lindenau, Campbell and Lawrence finished in 3:41.32. The Capers were second to Greely in the 200 free relay (Rose Baillie, Corinne Wight, Maggie Baker and Lindenau had a time of 146.39).

Tighe was the 200 free champion in 1:55.48 and finished second in the 500 free (5:18.41). Lawrence was runner-up in the 100 free (55.14) and finished third in the 50 free (25.12). Kelsey Kennedy was fourth in diving (270.70 points). Lindenau finished fifth in the IM (2:22.82) and was seventh in the 500 free (5:40.13). Campbell came in fifth in the 100 free (56.59). Wight placed sixth in the IM (2:25.25) and eighth in the backstroke (1:05.57). Baillie was eighth in the 50 free (25.97). Maggie Pierce finished eighth in diving (215.30).

Skiing

Cape Elizabeth’s girls’ Alpine ski team was second to Falmouth (77-166) at the Class A state meet. Scarborough (335 points) came in seventh.

For the Capers, Emma Dvorozniak finished third in the slalom (a two-run combined time of 1 minute, 18.85 seconds) and fifth in the giant slalom (1:47.81). Caroline Paclat placed 12th in the GS (1:51.74) and 15th in the slalom (1:31.08). Tori McGrath was 26th in the slalom (1:45.10) and 43rd in the GS (2:15.26). Kinnon McGrath finished 27th in the slalom (1:45.34). Morgan Stewart came in 35th in the GS (2:07.87).

The Red Storm featured Sarah Hassler, who was 15th in the GS (1:53.55 and 31st in the slalom (1:47.35). Isabel Cayer was 19th in the slalom (1:36.99) and 27th in the GS (2:03.02). 

The Capers boys had 138 points and placed third behind Edward Little (116) and Mt. Blue (120). Scarborough didn’t score.

Cape Elizabeth’s Devon Lathrop won the GS in 1:37.72 and came in fifth in the slalom (1:11.26). Jon Fiutak placed seventh in the GS (1:45.95) and 10th in the slalom (1:16.83). Cole Spencer finished 29th in the slalom (1:32.54) and 30th in the GS (2:00.56). Duncan Geikie placed 25th in the slalom (1:30.49) and 31st in the GS (2:00.59).

The Red Storm’s top individual was Andrew Mills, who was 21st in the slalom (1:23.46) Matt Higgins was 49th in the GS (2:11.90). 

Cape Elizabeth’s Dvorozniak, Lathrop and Paclat also qualified for the Maine State Alpine team, which will compete next month against other teams from New England.

In Class B Nordic competition, Cape Elizabeth’s boys were sixth and the girls didn’t score as a team.

In the classical, the Capers were led by Will Corsello (19th, 16:09.1). Also scoring were Calvin Barber (31st, 18:09.9), Rowan Connelly (35th, 18:47.5) and James O’Brien (36th, 19:01.5).

In the skate, Corsello was 20th (14:06.0), Barber came in 26th (15:06.0), O’Brien 30th (15:37.0) and Peter DiNinno 31st (16:02).

Cape Elizabeth girls’ participants included Hannah Babcock (38th in the skate, 20:44.7, and 41st in the classical, 25:38) and Caitlin O’Sullivan (39th in the skate, 21:49.3, and 40th in the classical, 25:37.6).

Scarborough’s girls won the SMAA league title Monday, as Hassler took the GS (1:10.48) and placed second in the slalom (1:58.01).

The Scarborough boys finished a close second to Marshwood. Justyn Sears was third in the slalom (2:01.80). Mills placed fourth in the GS (1:10.54).

Boys’ hockey

Scarborough’s defending Class A boys’ hockey state champion was in the hunt for a repeat crown at press time.

Despite losing at home to rival Falmouth in the regular season finale, 5-0, the Red Storm wound up 13-2-3 and earned the top seed in Class A South. Tuesday, Scarborough eliminated No. 8 Massabesic/Bonny Eagle/OOB, 7-0. The Red Storm didn’t score in the first period, but pulled away in the second and third, thanks in large part to four goals from standout and Travis Roy Award semifinalist Matt Caron. Eric Murray, Cam Nigro and Cam Smith also scored. 

Scarborough advanced to meet No. 4 Cheverus (9-9-1) in the semifinals Saturday in Lewiston at 2 p.m. The Red Storm beat the visiting Stags, 5-0, and rallied late for forge a 2-2 tie Jan. 23 in Portland. Scarborough won four of the previous five playoff encounters, with a 5-2 victory in last year’s regional final the most recent.

The Class A South Final is Tuesday night in Lewiston. The Class A state game is Saturday, March 5 at 6 p.m. in Lewiston.

The South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport co-op team finished seventh in Class A South and went to powerhouse No. 2 Falmouth (14-4) Tuesday for the quarterfinals. The teams did not play this season. Despite goals from Mitchell Adams and Caleb Rowland and 45 saves from goalie Joe Grant, the Yachtsmen went on to a 9-2 victory, ending South Portland/Waynflete/Freeport’s season at 5-12-2.

In Class B South, Cape Elizabeth earned the No. 6 seed after a 7-9-2 regular season. Tuesday, the Capers went to No. 3 Brunswick and scored just nine seconds in, as Ben Ekedahl tickled the twine.

“It was just a quick shot on net,” Ekedahl said. “It spun around and went in. It was kind of lucky shot. Our line has been playing really well the past couple games.”

Sean Agrodnia added two goals late in the first period and in the second, Jeb Boechenstein and Philip Tarling scored to open the lead up even further. Cape Elizabeth went on to a 5-2 victory.

“We feel like no one has seen the best of us,” Agrodnia said. “The past three games have made a statement for what Cape hockey really is and we don’t plan on stopping. We did a nice job keeping our foot on the gas tonight. We never really took it off.”

“We’ve said all along that it didn’t matter what we did in December or January,” added Cape Elizabeth coach Matthew Buotte. “You have to roll in February. Now we’ve just got to win a few in a row. We can compete with anybody.”

The Capers advanced to meet second-ranked Gardiner (14-4-1) in the semifinals Friday at 8 p.m. in Lewiston.

On Feb. 13, host Cape Elizabeth beat the Tigers, 3-1. The teams split two previous playoff meetings with the most recent coming way back in 1980.

“We’re as confident as we can be,” Agrodnia said. “We know what we need to do. If we play the way we’ve played the last three games, we can go far.”

“The team is jelling,” Ekedahl said. “We have to stay focused on practice and look forward to the Colisee. Hopefully we’ll get a lot of fans.”

“We know (Gardiner’s) a very good team,” added Buotte. “I don’t know if we got their best last time. I know we’ll get it Friday and it will be an awesome game. We have awesome guys in the locker room. They’re loose and confident. They know no one has seen the best of us yet.”

The Class B South Final is Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Lewiston. The Class B state game is Saturday, March 5 at 1 p.m., also in Lewiston.

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @foresports.

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Coach Eric French and the Scarborough girls’ swim team show off the runner-up plaque at last week’s Class A state meet. The Red Storm had their best state meet showing since 2010.

Cape Elizabeth’s Liv Palma heads toward a seventh-place finish in the Class B state indoor track and field meet.

Cape Elizabeth junior Hans Croft, left, freshman Philip Tarling and senior Tim Corsello celebrate a goal during the Capers’ 5-2 win at Brunswick in Tuesday’s Class B South quarterfinal. Cape Elizabeth will face Gardiner in the semifinals Friday night in Lewiston.

Scarborough’s Sarah Hassler competes in the slalom at the recent SMAA league meet. Hassler was second in that event and placed first in the giant slalom as the Red Storm finished first as a team.

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