Hoffer's High School Sports
Hoffer's High School Sports
2026 Spring State Championship Preview
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The state games are set and we discuss what to expect in the baseball, softball and lacrosse finals.
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SPEAKER_00Big weekend. Big week into the weekend.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, it's uh where we're here. You know, you look tired. You know, I'm a little tired. If you see me close my eyes or you hear me hit my forehead on the microphone, just uh just take over and talk. It's been uh a couple nights in a row of staying up till three in the morning, writing writing these long playoff game stories, but it's worth it. They've been great games, great things to write about, and uh once I get done with everything Sunday, it's uh time to relax for a while. So there's definitely light at the end of the tunnel.
SPEAKER_00Do you remember when I asked you uh if I could be a writer as well? I don't want to do that. I don't want to stay up until 35 minutes. I'm just not gonna I I appreciate you.
SPEAKER_01And the thing is, it's like, you know, I I get home and I start doing the math. I'm like, you know, if I get this done right this minute, I can get to bed by two. You start counting the hours back. And it's you know, oh, it's crazy. So but anyway, you know, it beats working for a living. I'm not complaining. I love it, but it is exhausting and uh, you know, I'm starting to run on fumes here.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. All right, so we're we're coming into uh championship weekend. Well, well, I guess this week started the championships um so we had uh pretty is everything done up until the state championships waiting for state championships.
SPEAKER_01So regional finals, lacrosse semifinals, we're all Tuesday, Wednesday. So uh we've got lacrosse state games with class B starting Friday night tomorrow, and then everything else will be uh we crowned on Saturday, baseball, softball, and class A and C lacrosse. So a ton of action to come here over the next 48 hours.
SPEAKER_00That's exciting. Okay, where all right, where do you want to start? I love this time of year because it's the end of school, the kids are jacked up. Yeah, all the kids are out of school, but for some select few, they get to keep playing. It's it's fun. And we we did that once with in in Westbrook, and it was yeah, getting the kids to be motivated was not hard at all. That's great.
SPEAKER_01And it's and it is we're kind of a weird dynamic, and I did talk to one of the players recently about this as you know, they graduated two weeks ago, yet they're still you know clinging on to this last vestige of high school and still representing their school. And but you're right, I mean it's it's a what a great way to keep things going before you have to go on to the real world. It's one you know, one one last great memory, no question.
SPEAKER_00Okay, do you have before we get going on uh on the different classes and the different games, do you have one uh one big game that is sticking out in your in your mind that you covered um any one championship game that that stuck out?
SPEAKER_01I don't know. I mean that's the there's so much to talk about, and I guess as we go sport by sport, they they've all been memorable. I mean, some of the stories have been more memorable than others. Yeah, you know, I don't know if you want to start with baseball. I do. I know you do, you always do. And you know, the shock if if you mention the Gorham Rams, you're gonna get a visceral response from a lot of people just based on what's happened over the last week. And sure, you know, it's funny they they were the the clear best team in the regular season, they were the one seed, and here they are in the state final. And if that were just the end of the story, that would be fine. But the story goes much deeper as you know. Yeah, and they've kind of been painted as villains in some quarters, which I don't think is justified. No. Uh, but you know, for those that don't know, in their quarterfinal, Gorham trailed number eight, found at the 6-0, bottom of the fourth inning. Their ace pitcher had to leave the game. Uh, certainly the season looked over, and uh all of a sudden a stray thunderstorm from nowhere magically appears. It came from Gorham just to fine intervention, and uh the field was flooded. They had to call the game, and since it wasn't an official game, they had to come back and start it from scratch the next day, which I know upset a lot of people, but that's not a Gorham rule, that's an MPA national rule. And so the game actually had to be moved to the ballpark at Old Orchard Beach. Gorham wins that 3-0, advances to the semi Saturday, where they take on Thornton Academy, a great back and forth game. Looks like TA ties it in the top of the seventh on a throwing error. Yeah. Uh but uh the first base umpire immediately and adamantly said no, runner's interference, the batter's out, and instead of the tying runs coming in, um TA does get one run back, but they don't get to uh to tie it up, and Gorham escapes that four to three. So you can imagine that that uh got quite a reaction from the Sacco area, a lot of people unhappy. More with the fact that that's called that's a call that's not made very often. The throw was was high. Uh, you know, it's it's tough. I mean, Gorham did get bailed out, but you know, it is what it is, and then they get to play the number 10 seed, Noble, in the regional final.
SPEAKER_00My favorite story.
SPEAKER_01And no, Noble was an incredible story. I mean, they knock off Massabisic, they upset South Portland, they upset Chevrolets after blowing an eight-run lead. And uh they just ran out of gas a little bit against Gorham, and Gorham took care of business the other day, 7-2. In the state game against Bangor on Saturday, and you know, is there a little bit of magic left? We'll see. I don't know if the magic translates up to Augusta. Uh, but you know, they certainly appear to be a team of destiny at this point. And uh, you know, they the Hunter Fink was able to come back and pitch in the regional final, but he's not going to be able available to pitch in the state game. He exceeded the pitch count limit. You know, Miles Brenner, he's kind of been the the the unheralded MVP, I think, of this team all year. He's the best defensive shortstop I've ever seen. Yeah. The plays he makes are unbelievable. He made an incredible dry diving stop the other day, but it's the it's the quote unquote routine-ish plays that most high school shortstops maybe make about half the time that he makes 99% of the time that makes him stand out. I'm guessing he'll get the start. It'll either be him or Wyatt Washburn. But you know, Bangor, it seems like they're in this game every year. Yeah. And that's tough when a team has this kind of experience. I think it's gonna be a tall task for Gorham not having their ace pitch, uh, going up against a team that that's uh that knows what it takes to win a championship. But you know, we'll see, we'll see if there's one little dose of stardust here for the Rams. And uh an incredible story nonetheless, but if they can pull this off, it'll be one of those championship runs that people talk about for years just because of the of the oddities of it.
SPEAKER_00It was so unique. It's it's the uh I I say it all the time. Everything has to go your way to win a state championship. Everything. Like you have to get that call at first base, you have to get you know the the the timely rain out, the the all of these things, the pitching matchups that happen to happen because of rain outs and all that stuff. It's it's a little bit of luck, but it's you know, you know, opportunity comes is great opportunity comes from that. It's uh you know, when when you work your ass off and you get a little bit of luck on your side and you get every call. So it's it it is what it is, and I I thought at the beginning of the season they they and South Portland were my my odds on favorite. There was gonna be it was gonna be the two of them battling it out. What I loved about this one was that the noble coach Adam Hale is is one of my favorite coaches to coach against because he's such a good dude. He's intense, but he's he's a really good guy to talk to and gets up. Absolutely understands why he's there. Right. That was a really good feel-good story. No question. Yeah, God, it was just good to see him go that far. I don't, you know, they're Gorham is so good that it was gonna be hard for him. It was that talk about perfect, perfect plus some to for them to beat, beat Gorham, but to be there was a huge success for Adam.
SPEAKER_01Right, and first time in 24 years that they've gotten even to the semifinals, yeah. Um, you know, great for that Noble program. It's really been kind of a resurgence down there in North Berwick with uh football having the success in recent years, boys' basketball going to regional finals with Jameer Rose, and now uh you know baseball, and and a lot of those guys are coming back. But like, you know, I talk at talking to the coach after the game, he's like, you know, you you're not guaranteed anything. No, you know, in this league. And we've seen it two years in a row now where a low seed has made a run. You know, Biddeford won the whole thing last year. Yeah, you know, now Noble was I thought maybe Stanford would be the team that made that run this year, but it's Noble from the 10 and they almost get to state. So, you know, who knows what next year brings. And yeah, and as we as we've seen, what you do in the regular season doesn't mean much come playoff time.
SPEAKER_00No, it's how you're playing at the end of the season that that dictates everything. It's similar to the uh watch this transition, to the uh softball side with the Westbrook girls, right? Yeah. Seeing seeing Brian Ross's squad go um go as far as they did was really kind of a it was a romantic story just to see that whole thing change, right?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, first time since 1981 that the Blue Blazers had been to the semi. I mean, how crazy is that? They won the state title that year. Yeah. They had not been back to even the semifinal round since then. Yeah. And you know, they gave Bonnie Eagle a good game, almost got to the regional final, fell short, but with a with a great young uh nucleus, you know, that's uh that's been a great resurgence. And what a fitting ending of the school year in Westbrook, right? I mean, sure. How many minutes, hours have we talked about Westbrook athletics this year on this pod? You know, starting with football and the incredible run to that first championship this year, you know, the girls' basketball team got to the expo, and then softball uh completes this turnaround and and and that program is set up to compete now for quite a while. Sure.
SPEAKER_00And the the bo on the boys side on in Westbrook there, uh they they hit they got a banner as well. They won the sportsmanship award, which is awesome. Yeah, which is you know, the those who are it's a consolation. If you if you know, you know the uh that program is Andy's done a good job of you know kind of turning around the uh the demeanor over there, and uh it's kind of nice to see Westbrook being in the spotlight.
SPEAKER_01So and more to come, I'm sure.
SPEAKER_00More to come, yeah. All right, uh on the class B side and in in baseball.
SPEAKER_01Go Fryberg Academy. Yeah, this time they get by Greeley. It wasn't easy. They built an early 4-0 lead. You know, Greeley knocked them out in last year's regional final. I had a walk-off win against them in the regular season that kind of turned Greeley's fortunes around. And you know, Greeley gets it back to 4-3 in both the sixth and the seventh, they had the uh tying run 90 feet away. They just couldn't get the big head. And you know, Fryberg Academy now in the state game against Coney. That's gonna be a fascinating matchup.
SPEAKER_00That is that's an odd matchup, too.
SPEAKER_01It is an odd matchup. Um, you know, it's not uh not one that probably many saw coming, but you know, Freiburg was they were so close last year. And you know, it's great to see them take that next step, and not now we'll see what they do with it. But you know, this is a program that's quickly become a contender, and you know, they've got some good pitchers, and you know, they they're opportunistic. Uh you know, one of their runs the other day scored on an error, and that kind of was the difference. So uh it it's gonna be uh it we'll see how that game shakes out. That that'll be a fun one to kind of follow from afar. Also in Aga in Augusta, yeah.
SPEAKER_00No, that's at St. Joe's. Oh, it is? Yes. Okay, so we're flip-flopping there.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, the cloud the only the class A games at Augusta.
SPEAKER_00Oh, gotcha. Okay. All right. Well that you know they both have to travel to a neutral site. I was gonna say if they were try traveling to Augusta, Coney's right downtown. Right. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay, uh Class B girls, uh softball.
SPEAKER_01So uh we've got Madame McVally back, the defending champs. Um their pitchers just lights out. Uh I think she threw a no-hitter the other day against Lake Region in the regional final. So not a huge surprise uh just to see them back in the state game. And you know, can they do it again? Uh you know, class A is not a surprise either, right? Yeah. Uh Chevrous all year has clearly been the team to beat, and uh they they they can't.
SPEAKER_00You notice how I skipped over that. I know.
SPEAKER_01But I, you know, I you can chat with your brother some other time, but we've got to give credit where it's due. I mean, what what an unbelievable team. 191 runs scored, four runs given up in 19 games. Yeah. And uh, you know, it wasn't easy against Bonnie Eagle the other day. Uh they win five-nothing, but you know, it wasn't uh you know quite as dominant as the scoreline would suggest. You know, Addison DeRoche one hit, took a perfect game into the seventh, gave up a leadoff single, and then strikes out 15 total. Yeah. Uh but it's the bottom of that order that's really produced here in this playoff run. It hasn't been the big bats at the top. You know, Anna Kennedy Jensen with a big hit to get the things moving against Gorham in the semis. Sadie Collins with a couple of huge hits in this tournament. Uh there's no easy outs in that lineup. And yeah, even if DeRoach weren't pitching, I still think Sheffords is the best team. Yeah. Just because of the pressure they can put on you and all these big bats. And when you do have her, these I mean, these other teams know there's no margin for error. Yeah. You you give up a run, you're probably gonna lose. So, I mean, that it well, you know, once you go down 2-0, 3-0, it might as well be 20 to nothing. And you know, they've they've been one of the most dominant teams in recent vintage, and you know, I expect they're gonna cap this off in style against a Hamden Academy team that no one expected to be here. Yep. Let's not forget Chevers and Hamden Academy met in that memorable girls' basketball state game at the end of February, where Shevers rallied to win in overtime. Uh, you know, Abby Kelly, Anna Goodman, Kylie Lampson, some uh common denominators there. And uh, yeah, I I have pretty good uh confidence that that Chevers is gonna bring home that championship.
SPEAKER_00They are. I went to go watch them play against Biddeford. I haven't got the chance to watch their games or was on the same games as my boys, but uh uh I was looking at their bench. Their bench is a good varsity team. Yes, that's the thing.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, and I know, you know, and that's a mixed blessing, right? Because as a coach, you want to get these girls playing time, and I you know, I know coach does a good job pinch running and pinch hitting when he can, but yeah, I mean a lot of these girls would be starting for other other teams and probably playing a big role. Yeah. It's just a you know, it's a nice luxury to have, but uh but it can be challenging as well.
SPEAKER_00Yep, for sure. Okay, uh I'm gonna stay on softball. Okay. Um your pick for class A, I already know. Pick for class B. If you had to throw money down on the Class B championship, where would you go? Well, I would never bet on high school sports, Tim, but I would say I would just say let's let's say I'll buy you a coffee if you're against that.
SPEAKER_01I think I think Madomic Valley is gonna be tough and we'll probably repeat. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah. That that softball of all sports comes down to if you have dominant pitching, dominant pitching. Yeah, yeah. You're in you're in every game. Okay. Class class A if you had to if you had to back against a wall and somebody said you had to pick. We're talking baseball now. Baseball.
SPEAKER_01Um I think Bangor's gonna be so tough to beat just with their experience and Gorham not having their pitching lined up the way they want. But you know, anything is possible, as Kevin Garnett once said, of these Gorham Rams. Uh, but I think I think Bangor's gonna be tough.
SPEAKER_00Okay. B boys.
SPEAKER_01Let's go Freiburg, right? I mean, let's that would be a great end to that story. And uh, you know, Coney's had a great school year too. Yeah. Um, so you know, either way, it would be a worthy champion. But if you're if you're forcing me at gunpoint here or microphone point, I'm gonna go with uh Freiburg Academy.
SPEAKER_00Okay. All right. Uh what do you want to go next? Let's go Boys Lacrosse. Boys Lacrosse.
SPEAKER_01Because we don't have the Class A state game matchup that many, many anticipated. The Yarmouth Clippers have crashed that party. Yeah, I guess. In a big way. Yeah, so we thought we were gonna get another Falmouth TA showdown. Uh instead, it's Falmouth Yarmouth. And, you know, Yarmouth, what a great story. They they won Class B each of the last two years, both times in overtime. Unbelievable games. They decided, all right, the time is now, we're gonna move up to Class A. Most people thought they'd be competitive, and they certainly were, but you know, I think in the minds of most, they were the number three team all season. They lost to TA in the regular year, they lost to Falmouth in the regular year. So, you know, it kind of that that's kind of how it played out. But uh yesterday in the state semis, at TA and these regional, these divisional finals are not supposed to be played on the home teams field. They're supposed to be played on neutral. I don't know how this happened. I'm sure it was extra motivation for Yarmouth. Uh, but they they find a way. Uh and the winning goal was one of the most improbable things you'll ever see. Uh Yarmouth's face-off guy wins the wins possession, runs in and scores. And so it's something you really usually the whole point of that position is to win possession, pass the ball, and get off the field. Yeah. Uh, but he went in and scored. Uh Yarmouth's goalie Will Redfield had a lot of huge saves down the stretch. And you know, here they are in another state game now in the class A and going up against this seemingly unbeatable Falmouth team, yeah. Um, who really it's crushed everybody all season, and they had a relatively easy win over Yarmouth in the regular season, too. Falmouth still stinging from that upset loss to TA in last year's state game, so they have unfinished business, uh, really a strong senior class that wants to go out in style. Um they're they're certainly going to be tough to beat, and you know, I think they it would have probably meant more to them to beat TA to win a championship, but they're they'll take whatever they can get, and they know they can't afford to overlook Yarmouth because you know Yarmouth's coming in with a ton of confidence, and they know better than anybody what it takes to win on that last Saturday.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, when you're when you're expecting to play one team and then you go out and play another team, it does mess with your brain a little bit in that you want to stay focused on the prize, right? But the times can happen where it creeps in where you're like, oh, we're playing a like you will a lesser. Yes, yes.
SPEAKER_01And yes, you see it all the time, and then that plays into the underdog's hands. So I do think Yarmouth's gonna keep this one close and keep it interesting, but you know, this foul team looks looks so good. And I would have said the same thing a year ago, though. So you anything's possible.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, it's great. Uh all right, class A girls.
SPEAKER_01Class A girls, a little bit of a surprise there, too. Even though TA was the higher seeded team, they knock off Wyndham, the the defending champs. Uh and that game was also played at TA instead of at a neutral site, which I know Wyndham probably wasn't thrilled about, but it had that game had nothing to do with the venue. TA just came out on fire. Yeah. Uh they led eight to one. You know, Windham got it back to three goals at one point before TA goes on to uh win the game. And you know, this is a team that's uh two years ago didn't even make the playoffs. They won two games. Last year they got to the quarterfinals. This group has really come of age. It's still mostly a junior sophomore core uh with some key seniors in key spots. But uh Kelly Foley, their first year coach, done a phenomenal job. And as the season's gone on, they just got better and better. And this is the second time they've beaten Windham, so no fluke there. Uh they have they have one of the best players in the state in my mind in uh Oceana Lamar, who's a junior. Uh, she got the team going with three early goals. Uh their goalie, Sophia Auger, a three-sport athlete, some huge saves late. And TA had never has never been to a state final, so it's really a cool story. Now they're gonna play a team that's in the state game, it seems like always, and that's Kennebunk. But they barely got there. Uh Chevris gave them a heck of a battle, uh, rallied late, took them to overtime, and you know it was kind of obvious. I got a chance to watch on the stream in between games at TA, and I'm like, you know, whoever gets the ball on this initial draw is probably gonna win the game. Yeah. And Chevris had some great looks to pick one up, they just couldn't get it, and Kennebunk eventually collected possession and called timeout and and uh was able to uh to run their offense and and score the winning goal. But great season for Chevers, their future very, very bright. It was clear, I mean, these top four teams, there wasn't much separation all year long. Um so no surprise that those were good games. Um and now, you know, Thornton Academy has a chance to make history. And it's not very often a TA team is kind of a lovable underdog, and I think I think they're gonna kind of be viewed as that on Saturday. Like I say, Kennebunk's in this game every year. They haven't won it now for a couple seasons in a row. Uh they lost to Yarmouth in the semis two years ago. They got knocked off by Wyndham last year in the state game. So their seniors, I know, are you know, they know it's now or never, and they're hungry, they're eager. Really an interesting matchup in the regular season. TA lost 8-3 down at Kennebunk. It's really the only day they couldn't get their offense going, but this was really early in the season. I think they're gonna solve some of that and uh and uh have uh have a lot for uh Cannebunk to contend with. And you know, I'm looking forward to that one. That'll be a terrific game.
SPEAKER_00Cannebunk is always tough. Always tough.
SPEAKER_01Always they have been forever. I mean, they're really the gold standard over the last decade or so. And um so you know, TA has its work cut out for it, but you know, they they they can't wait for the challenge, and they're they're excited. I don't think they're gonna be uh intimidated by the moment. I don't think you're gonna see nerves.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. All right, uh Class B boys.
SPEAKER_01Class B boys, we've got a York County showdown here between uh Marshwood and York. Uh York has been on the wrong side of those uh two Yarmouth overtime wins in the state game the last two years. They could have easily won two titles or three titles in a row because they won it back in 23. Uh they're back. They played a uh a schedule uh chalk full of A teams. You know, their regular season record wasn't as impressive as you'd think, and that's because they were playing higher class teams uh to get ready for the playoffs, and it's paid off. And now they're going against a Marshwood team that had to win at Greeley in the semis, and they did. Uh Greeley had their great season come to an end uh with that tough loss. Uh so Marshwood Kennebunk. Um I'm sorry, Marshwood York. Yep. And uh, you know, the Wildcats I think are the favorite, just the fact they've been here so often. I mean, these seniors have been in state games every year. Uh Marshwood's never won a championship. It's a golden opportunity for them, but they're gonna have their hands full.
SPEAKER_00Uh Claspy Girls.
SPEAKER_01Classby girls, Freeport Greeley. Uh, you know, they've no shock. They've been on a collision course, although, you know, last year Freeport won the title with an undefeated season. They graduated their two of their legendary players. They definitely took a step back this year. Uh, but early in the year the teams met over in Cumberland and uh Greeley only won by a goal. That kind of got them going. They were actually 0-2 at that point and they haven't lost since. Yeah. Uh but you know, Freeport had to do this as the sixth seed, they had to do it on the road, but they've taken care of business. And, you know, Greeley, uh, Greeley knows that they're gonna be in for battle. I I think this Greeley team is clearly, you know, head and shoulders the best in Class B. I think they would have been very competitive in A this year. That's how good they are. Uh, but Freeport knows them really well, and they're gonna know how to frustrate them and keep this close. And they had a great state game two years ago that Greeley won by a goal. Then they had that epic semifinal last year that Freeport won in double overtime. So, you know, Greeley's got a lot of seniors on this team, and they're gonna be extra motivated and and tough to beat. But um, you know, it's become one of the best rivalries in girls across. So I'm thrilled it's happening in the state game this year, not the semis.
SPEAKER_00I love I love those rivalries, those those like long-term trade back and forth rivalries. Those are those are great. That's what high school sports is all about. No question. And that's awesome.
SPEAKER_01You know, and it's funny because you when you perceive one team as the favorite, yeah, you know, it doesn't always work out that way, and it's and it's extra motivation for the other. And I know Freeport, yeah, they've got to love the fact they have nothing to lose. I mean, last year they they had the bullseye, they don't this time.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, yeah. All right, let's go to Class C.
SPEAKER_01Yep, start. So we've got uh a couple of NYA uh Mirana Cook Winthrop showdowns on tap, and the NYA girls are living a charmed life. They were down six to two with five minutes left against Wells yesterday in the semis, hadn't done anything on offense all day, and then somehow they flipped a switch, they tie it up, go to overtime, and win it. Uh just a stunning result. And here they are uh going to go up against Miranda Cook Winthrop, the defending champs. They played in the regular season, it was a one goal game. You know, NYA lost, but I gotta think they've they'll take confidence, not only knowing they were competitive in the regular year, but now they're they've got this momentum off this you know, unbelievable comeback. So uh be interesting. Yeah, Miranda Cook Winthrop is has been terrific, and no one's been able to touch them for the most part this year. Uh but NYA will be up for the challenge. That's gonna be a fun matchup, and it's been a couple years since. Cinema has been there and uh you know they're they're eager to to take it all the way.
SPEAKER_00Some some teams just have a another gear. Like it just takes one thing and one kid might score. Momentum's funny, you know. Yeah, it's unbelievable.
SPEAKER_01And you know, you sometimes when you're trying to run off the clock, you wind up shooting yourself in the foot instead of continuing to play your game. I didn't I wasn't there, I didn't see the game, so I can't speak to exactly what Wells' tactics were there. But you know, sometimes teams just get hot at the right time and take it, and you gotta tip your cap.
SPEAKER_00Alright, last but last but not least, classy on the boys side.
SPEAKER_01Same exact teams. Uh and this is actually a rematch of last year's state game where NYA beat uh Morana Cook Winthrop, and NYA is even stronger this year. They've had a terrific season. Uh, they've played some teams in higher classes that have got them ready for this, and you know, they dominated Wells in their semifinal yesterday. Yeah. Really seems like they're peaking at the right time. And they have uh they've got a great chance to do something that this program's never done, which is crazy when you think about how long NYA has played Boys Lacrosse. They've never won back-to-back championships. And uh, you know, if they take care of business on Saturday, they'll they'll be able to say they're the first to do that. Uh you know, Morano Cook Winthrop, that was a very close game last year. The regular season meeting wasn't that close. Um, you know, I think NYA is a decided favorite in this game. You know, if they come out and do their thing, uh they're gonna be tough to beat. But um, you know, it it's it's fun to have rematches and see how teams develop over the course of the year as opposed to last year, and um, you know, we'll see if we get the same result.
SPEAKER_00Do you see a team inside of lacrosse on the on the boys or the girls side and or um where they might be playing in class C, but they would be super competitive in a in a class A schedule. Are there teams down there that are that are doing, I say down there, but just smaller size schools that could compete up at that level. I feel like lacrosse is one of those sports, if you have a good goalie and you had a you have a couple of kids with some talent, you could beat anybody.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean that's a big jump. And and for in and I'll give you an example, you know, NYA played Deering in the regular season and got absolutely waxed. Okay, you know, Deering's probably the fourth best team in class A. Uh that's not to say NYA couldn't compete with some of the middle pack teams for sure. Yeah. Um I think you you'll see some times where a good class C team would be very competitive in B, and I think the NYA boys would be very competitive in B. Yeah. Uh you know, a few years ago, Freeport was still in C on the girls' side, won the championship, you know, moved up to B and almost won it again, and then they they did win it last year. So you can make that jump, but jumping two classes is is is a taller. You have might have some individual players who could go toe-to-toe with anyone in class A, but yeah, as a team, and you know generally they have bigger, bigger numbers and more depth, and they can wear you down over the course of 48 minutes.
SPEAKER_00I I would love to see that and I they do that in baseball.
SPEAKER_01Baseball's a you know every once in a while you have a team that no question in in a lot of these different remember Levitt football a few years ago. Yeah, they were the best team in the state. And they would they clean you know, class C and they were beating, they were beating Class A teams, and there was no question they were the best team in the state, but that's a rarity.
SPEAKER_00It would be so fun to run a tournament at the end of the year just uh just for fun of the channel.
SPEAKER_01People love to talk about that. And you know, I know for years we've talked, oh, yeah, what if basketball did something you know a true state champion? And yeah, I don't see that ever happening, but but it gives us something to talk about.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. You and I, anyway. Yeah, a lot of people.
SPEAKER_01It's fun to speculate, no question.
SPEAKER_00All right. So what's your what's your schedule looking like? Uh you want my predictions or no? Oh, oh yes, yeah, right.
SPEAKER_01Let me get a bunch of people fired up and I can't wait to hear the hear the feedback on Saturday. So let's start on the girls' side. Okay. Class A, I I love this TA story. I think Canabunk's gonna be a little bit too tough for them. I think they might still be a year away from a championship, but well, you know, could be wrong. Uh B, I like Greeley. I think that it's not gonna be a one-goal game this time. I don't think it's gonna be a lopsided game. I just think Greeley will probably win a little more comfortably than they have against Freeport in the past. They've got a phenomenal defense. And uh, like I say, these seniors are motivated. And uh they lost to Greeley last year. Otherwise, they'd be going for five in a row right now, which is crazy. That's how good they've been over the last half decade. Uh, class C, you know, NYA is riding this magical run, but I think Miranda Cook's probably a little bit too tough. I think it's gonna be a some people are speculating that it's not gonna be close. I think it's gonna be close. Uh, but I do like Morana Cook Winthrop in that one.
SPEAKER_00Okay, keep going. You're on a roll.
SPEAKER_01All right, on the boys' side, class A, it's it's hard to pick against Falmouth. They're just such a powerhouse. Yeah, they're they're not gonna overlook Yarmouth. They they remember the sting of last year, and uh, you know, they they know full well they're gonna get a tough game. And you know, Yarmouth is so good defensively, they've got a terrific goalie, but Falmouth, they just come at you in waves. They have so many different guys who can score, and they've got a really good defense and goalie as well, and they're really good on face-offs. So they're gonna, you know, they're gonna have probably the majority of possessions. You know, for Yarmouth, I think you just have to find a way to somehow start fast, maybe slow the game down, maybe get in Falmouth's heads a little bit thinking about what happened last year. But I think ultimately this Falmouth team is gonna finish what last year's team started.
SPEAKER_00Yeah.
SPEAKER_01B, I I think York, you know, especially after the last couple painful losses, they're ready. They're gonna motivate. And they've been they've been, like I said, they've been preparing for this all year with their schedule. Uh, you know, they're ready. Marshwood's a great story. I wouldn't write them off, but uh yeah, I I I I think I'd have to go with York. And then I like NYA to get that historic repeat. Uh, you know, they they did beat Moranicook Winthrop with relatives in the regular season, and um, you know, that gap might close a little bit, but I'm not sure it'll be enough. And uh I think NYA will get that repeat title.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. All right. So that's that. What's your schedule looking like for the state?
SPEAKER_01So I will be I will be at During High School Friday night for the two Class B lacrosse state games, and then I'll be back there Saturday for all the the four, like the two Class A, two Class C state games, and keeping a very close eye and ear on the Gorham Baseball and Chevrolets and NYA softball, which we didn't even talk about. Oh, yeah. Uh NYA softball going for another title in Class D against Penobscot Valley, and that's going to be a terrific pitching matchup. Yeah. Uh that's at actually out at St. Joe's. So if you're a local fan, I'd say check that one out. A lot of good stuff coming up.