Winter Sports season is well underway and off to a great start for the Rams, especially the Ice Hockey teams which began two weeks earlier than all other winter sports.
Photo credit: Kelly AllenEmerson Homa Girls ice hockey tri-captain
Girls Ice Hockey: Coach Mary Vaughan
Coach Vaughan shared, “Last season, we had the best run-in program history. We ended with a 13-7 record, hosted our first playoff game (an OT win against Cape), and were the regional runners-up, falling to the eventual state champs.” Coach remarked, “We lost a great group of seniors who had been with the program for four years, including goalie, Ellie Keil, and senior three-year captain, Cadence Howard, both of whom are playing club hockey at UMO with a few other Rams alums. “This year’s captains are senior Emerson Homa (Gorham), senior Greta Grant (Fryeburg), and junior Katelyn Cyr (Gorham).
Coach added, “Players to watch are Emerson Homa, an all-state selection last year, who is already off to a strong start. Greta Grant, Marissa Payne (sophomore, Lake Region) both all-conference selections last year, and Azalea Grant (freshman, Fryeburg), will be solid on the blue line. Defense will be a strength for us this year, locking down our zone as well as creating offensive opportunities. We lost our starting goalie (Ellie Keil) to graduation and will be looking for juniors Emily Beal and Claire Rancourt to split time and step up big. We’ll be looking to Homa and Cyr as well as Carlin Galligan, Natalie Wilkins, and Isabel Brito for offensive sparks.”
Coach Vaughn concluded, “There have been some co-op shifts that will keep things interesting, but Cheverus will be the team to beat in the south. I’m anticipatingtough,competitive games all season. Penobscot, Yarmouth, Brunswick, and the Cape/Portland co-op will be tough games.”
Photo credit: Shawn SullivanBoys ice hockey with Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the light parade
Boys Ice Hockey: Coach Shawn Sullivan
Coach Sullivan shared, “Last season we finished the regular season with an 8-9-1 record. We lost in the 1st round of playoffs to Cheverus/Yarmouth 4-6 as they scored an empty net goal on us at the final buzzer. “This year’s captains are Corliss Ordway, Cole Allen, Dayton Crockett, and Trevor Krouse.
Coach added, “Our offense will be led by Corliss Ordway and Cole Allen, along with freshman Landan Anctil. Sophomores Connor Rounds and Levi Wagner look to make a splash this year as well. Our defense will be anchored by juniors Jacob Shvets, Trevor Krouse, and Sophomore Andrew Collins. In goal, senior Dayton Crockett will back stop the Rams.”
The boys have already been out in the community, volunteering with the Gorham Rec for both the Burn Off the Turkey 5k and the Gorham Light Parade.
Coach concluded, “During our game on Dec. 30, we hosted our first “Teddy Bear Toss Night.” During the game, when the rams scored their first goal, fans threw their teddy bears onto the ice. All teddy bears were donated to the Gorham Food Pantry and given out to children in need.”
Photo credit: Adam ParvantaGirls basketball team photo
Girls Basketball: Coach Laughn Berthiaume
Coach Berthiaume shared, “Last year we finished the regular season with a 9-9 record to finish 3rd in AA South. Our team was able to defeat #6 Bonny Eagle at home, #2 Sanford at the Cross Insurance Arena, and #1 Thornton Academy in the Regional Final. Our girls ended as the AA South Regional Champions before losing to Oxford Hills in the State Championship. The playoff run was definitely the highlight of our season. We had one senior on the team, Elizabeth Willette. We return 10 players from that team and add two new varsity players this year.”
Coach added, “This year we have three seniors who are the captains of the team, Ellie Gay, Summer Gammon, and Kalin Curtis. Ellie Gay is a 4th year varsity player and a captain for the second year. Last year she was an AA South First Team All-Star and was named the MVP of the Southern AA Tournament. She also made the Hoops 8 All-State 3rd team. Summer Gammon was honored as an AA South Tournament All-Star and was named to the AA South All-Defensive Team. Julia Reed was an AA South Honorable Mention All-Star and made the AA South All- RookieTeam. WereturnVanessaWalkerwho was in the midst of an All-Star caliber season when she suffered a season ending injury and Lauren Dunbar who started 16 games last year. Kalin Curtis will be relied upon to give us an inside presence and Zoe Dellinger and Logan Doughty will provide depth off the bench.” Coach remarked, “Gorham is expected to compete to win our division. Thornton Academy, Scarborough, Sanford, and South Portland are teams that are expected to all be competitive games.”
Girls basketball preseason trip to Fort Kent
On a team-building note, the team was able to take a preseason trip to Aroostook County. The girls enjoyed traveling to Northern Maine and experiencing life on the border of Canada. The trip covered a total of 800 miles and we were able to play four different teams in 4 different towns over 2 days.
Boys’ Basketball: Coach Ryan Deschenes
The Gorham Rams are excited and welcome a new coach to a very good, tight-knit team. Last year the Rams went 13-6 (lost in the Quarterfinals to Scarborough).
The Rams are led by seniors; Ashton Leclerc, Gabriel Michaud, Caden Smith (tri-captains) Izak Young, Taylor Farr, Jesse James, Haden Pelletier.
Coach shared, “Impact players are Ashton Leclerc 6’1 Senior Guard, Gabriel Michaud 6’1 Senior Guard, Caden Smith 6’2 Senior Forward/Guard, Griffin Gammon 6’5 Junior Center, Jack Karlonas 6’1 Junior Forward.
Coach added, “the outlook for the Rams returns four starters from last season’s roster. Leclerc averaged 15.5 PPG last season and is one of the better shooters and scorers in the state. Michaud is a strong two-way player, and Smith provides scoring and toughness. The Rams will look for Gammon to provide rim protection and a lob threat in their drive and space offense. AA south is wide open, and every team is strong and capable of making a run. Increase of pace has been a preseason focus and the goal is to be healthy and clicking in February playing our best brand of basketball.”
Swimming: Coach Will York
Coach York shared, “the swim team had an incredible run last season. The boys placed highest ever as a program, placing first at Southwesterns and 6th at Class A states (Best performance in program history). The girls team placed highest ever as a program as well. Gorham girls finished 2nd at Class A States. We had three team records broken. Hanna Logan breaking the girls 200 IM, Maya Moores 100 breast, and Brodie in the 500 Free. We had three seniors graduate and we had five freshmen join us.”
Coach added, “This year’s captains are Bennet Walker, Isaac Dobson, Tommy Pritchard, Natalie Haskell, and Julia Wareham. Isaac, Tommy and Natalie are returning captains from last season with Bennet and Julia joining their ranks. Fortunately for us as a program these five seniors captains join six other seniors (11 total) who have been with the program since middle school.”
Coach remarked, “Players to watch this year are Hanna Logan, Stella Moores, Maya Moores, Camryn Caruso, Aspenelle De Los Reyes, Brodie Berlinger, Tommy Pritchard, and Ryan Morrill. All of them placed top 16 at class A states last season. Logan remains very strong. She continues to look at 200 IM, 100 Breast and 100 Back. Maya Moores was a strong finisher in the 100-breast finishing second as well as 4th in the 200 IM. She continues to strengthen her craft with potentially adding the 100 free and or 100 fly. Stella Moores rounds out our depth. Moores has moved her program into distance with the 200 free and 500 free this season. Berlinger has had a great fall with club swimming and is excited to bring his times over to the team. This fall he broke the sub 5-minute barrier. He is hopeful to take the 500 title this February.”
Challenging opponents remain to be Thornton Academy and Yarmouth within the Rams conference. Scarborough Boys and Cony Girls look strong when it comes to Class A States.
Coach concluded, “Gorham swimming continues to fundraise through our raffle cards as well as the chance to win a Yeti cooler full of awesome prizes. In addition, our high school program will continue to support our middle school program at the conclusion of our high school season.”
Boys Indoor Track & Field: Coach Jason Tanguay
Coach Tanguay shared, “Our team is coming off a successful season last year where we finished with 13 wins and 3 losses, and we graduated two seniors who were strong contributors to the program.”
Athletes to watch are: Nathan Bergquist-Guimond, distance; Nolan Feyler, sprints; Griffin Gammon, jumps; Finn Henderson, middle distance; Kuba Kaczmarek, jumps; Aidan Lee, hurdles and jumps; Nick Munyaneza, middle distance and jumps; Dylan Phillips, middle distance; Joshua Wright, hurdles.
Coach concluded, “For the upcoming season, we have many new athletes who are joining our team, and this is very exciting given how many quality veterans we return. Our team should be a strong competitor in league competition and if the new faces can develop this season we may be a quality team in the postseason as well.”
Girls Indoor Track & Field: Coach John Caterina
Coach Caterina shared, “The Gorham High School Girls Indoor Track & Field team is looking forward to another successful season. The team finished last winter with a 13-4 regular season record, 4th place in the SMAA Conference championship and 9th in the Class A State Championship.”
Coach added, “This year’s team has a large group of returning veterans led by senior captains Andi Cloutier (shot put), Rita Cummings (distance), Addie Harjula (sprints, jumps), Ella Labrie (sprints, jumps), Meryk Lewellen (distance, jumps) and Aislyn McLean (distance). The junior group includes Abbie Chamberlin (sprints), Sydney Connolly (sprints), Emily Fadrigon (sprints, jumps), Piper Forgues (sprints), Bailey Hatch (sprints), Lindy Moreland (sprints) and Abby Rogers (sprints). The addition of several newcomers and a strong group of freshmen should keep Gorham among the top teams in the SMAA this winter.”
Alpine Ski Team: Coach Sean Munkacsi
Coach Munkacsi shared, “This year’s Gorham High School Ski Team looks to be very competitive with many returning racers. Senior captain Abby Fecteau will lead a team that has worked hard the last few years and has high expectations to place in the top 3 in SMAA’s. On the girls side, every race will be a battle to make it into the top 4 per team in order to score. Although the competition is fierce, these girls push each other to do their best, and as a result any of them can end up in scoring positions. They include Abby, Ary Flett, Sophie Kaszmarek, Lillian Miner, Natalie Miner and Brooke Stevens. On the boys team, TJ Nagle is currently the best boys GHS racer and has been improving his times, and in every race.”
Coach added, “Once again, we are joined with Scarborough and Bonny Eagle although their scores do not count towards the GHS team score. Scarborough will be led on the girls team by Lilah Ferrie and on the boys side by Jack Murname. The SHS girls team is young but experienced and may surprise many of the traditionally strong teams. Bonny Eagle is led by a very strong and focused Brady Willette.
Coach remarked, “As always, we know that Pleasant Mountain will provide us with the best conditions Mother Nature will allow.”
Good luck the rest of the way Rams, and “bring on winter” for the Alpine Ski team.