BOYS’ BASKETBALL
Mark Karter, coach of the Gorham Boys Basketball said the team enjoyed a very good season. They completed a tough schedule with an 11-7 record. Karter said, “Every game was a competitive event with Gorham scoring signature wins over Portland, Scarborough, Oxford Hills, and Thornton Academy.”
The boys lost a tough home playoff game against Scarborough in the quarterfinals with a final score of 59-54 to end their season. Tyler Haines capped his high school career by being selected MVP of the team and recording All Conference honorable mention status. Grant Nadeau had a breakout season for Gorham and was selected All Conference Rookie of the Year. Bode Meader had a successful sophomore year and was selected to the All Conference Rookie Team. Thomas Nelson, Jordan Bretton, Nick Strout and Ryan Reno all played well for the Rams throughout the season, and the underclassmen are looking to work hard in the off season to come back stronger next year.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
Led by Coach Laughn Berthiume the team finished with a record of 13-7. They went in as the 3rd seed in AA South and won a quarterfinal game over Sanford (6th seed) by 56-37. The team lost in the semi-final game to Scarborough, who went on to win the AA South Title.
During the season, Mackenzie Holmes (SR) set many records. Her single season records were the following: 595 points (senior year), 333 rebounds (senior year), and 112 blocked shots (junior year). Holmes’ career records were 1745 points, 1018 rebounds, and 365 blocked shots. Holmes was the SMAA Player of the Year, SMAA All Defensive Team and a Miss Maine Basketball Finalist. She won Maine Gatorade Player of the Year (see page 13) and was a McDonald’s All American Nominee. As a Maine McDonald’s All Star, she competed in the All Star game on Saturday, March 9.
BOYS’ HOCKEY
Coach John Portwine said the boys made it to the Regional semifinals this year. “We set out to make it to this round when the season began so our goal was met,” he said. Portwine said there were missed opportunities in the regular season which put them up against a great Greely team, but overall, he was pleased by the team’s success.
The boys finished the season with an 11-9 record, and over half of their losses were by just one goal. Three seniors, Tanner Garand, Trevor Gray, and Nick Gray, made the Senior All Star team. Freshman goalie Caleb Waterman was named to the All Rookie Team and junior forward Cole Perreault was named All Conference.
“A great group of ten seniors will be leaving us so next season there will be a lot of opportunities for younger players,” Portwine said.
BOYS’ TRACK
The Gorham boys had a successful season. Coach Jason Tanguay said the team finished with 12 wins and 16 losses in the SMAA during the regular season. At the SMAA Championship meet on February 9, the boys finished in 7th and at the Class A State Meet on February 18, Gorham finished a respectable 9, only 10 points from 4th place.
Two of the boys qualified to compete at the New England Regional Championship meet in Boston on March 2: Andrew Farr in the 55 dash and Ryan Gendron in the high jump.
A few new records were set by Gorham boys during this past season: Ryan Gendron set both a league and school record in the Jr High Jump; Andrew Farr set both a league and school record in the Jr 55 and the Jr 200. Both athletes were named All Conference.
Andrew Farr was named SMAA Outstanding Performer of the Junior Division. He competed in the New Balance Nationals on March 8 in the 400 but suffered a hamstring injury and was unable to compete in the 60.
GIRLS’ TRACK
The Gorham girls also had a very successful season. Coach John Caterina (Coach of the Year) said the team finished second in the SMAA for the regular season with only two losses. At the SMAA Championship meet on February 9, the lady Rams held the lead until the last relay. They finished only two points behind Thornton Academy as league runner-up.
“At the Class A State Meet on February 19, Gorham had a couple of tough breaks go against them but finished a respectable 7th, only 8 points away from 2nd place,” Caterina said.
Seven girls qualified to compete at the New England Regional Championship meet in Boston on March 2. Caterina said the highlight of the meet for Gorham was Kate Tugman’s 3rd place finish in the 2 mile, the best girl’s finish in an indoor New England meet in school history.
Several new records were set by Gorham girls during this past season: Sydney Connolly, Alyvia Caruso, Maddie Michaud and Nevaeh Moore in the Jr Relay; Sydney Connolly, Alyvia Caruso, Avery Germond, and Kate Tugman in the Sprint Medley Relay; Alyvia Caruso in the Jr Long Jump; Evelyn Kitchen in the Sr Long Jump, Sr High Jump and Pentathalon; Emma Green in the Jr High Jump; Sydney Connolly in the 55; and Kate Tugman in the 2 mile.
Girls named to All Conference: Sydney Connolly, Alyvia Caruso, Maddie Michaud, Nevaeh Moore, Emma Green, Evelyn Kitchen, and Kate Tugman. Kate Tugman was named SMAA Outstanding Distance Runner as well as SMAA Championship Meet Performer of the Meet.
Kate Tugman and Evelyn Kitchen competed in the New Balance Nationals on March 8-10 in New York.
SWIMMING
Coach Adam Cyr said, “The boys and girls swim teams finished off their seasons in spectacular fashion. Both teams had team best finishes at the Southwesterns Conference Championshipmeets in both finish and points.”
The girls finished 2nd with 220 points and the boys finished in 5th with 107 points. There were three school records broken and one record was tied.
“At the boys’ State meet, we swam very well,” Cyr said. The boys finished with 45 points (compared to two points last year) and they nearly broke two school records. Their hard work in the last year paid off as they continue to grow.
The girls’ meet was very successful with six top eight finishes as well as three more scoring races in the top 16. Three school records were broken at the State swim meet and the team finished with a team best 6th place with a team best 141 points.
Caelyn Smith was nominated for Conference Girls Swimmer of the Year and Coach Cyr was nominated for both boys and girls Conference Coach of the Year.
SKI TEAM
Coach Sean Munkacsi shared that the girls team finished 3rd in SMAAs while the boys finished 4th. There were many accomplishments for individual athletes. The following qualified for States (Shawnee): Jacob Polchies, Sam Cousins, Dan Popov, and Jack Cunningham for the boys. For the girls: Maggie Munkacsi, Sarah Baxter, Claire Munkacsi, and Estelle Ballard, who was also named All Conference.
The top finishers at States were Jacob Polchies – 33rd in Slalom; Claire Munkacsi – 14th in Slalom; and Estelle Ballard – 15th in Slalom.
Munkacsi said, “All of the racers improved throughout the season on very challenging, icy courses.”
Munkacsi would like to thank to Shawnee Peak for doing an outstanding job providing great conditions and courses. He also wanted to thank Kenny Fickett, who assumed the role of assistant coach/bus driver/motivational speaker.
Girls’ Hockey, Cheering and Wrestling – Updates unavailable as of deadline.