Predicted messy weather Saturday night, Dec. 21, is prompting the postponement of a wrap-up celebration for the Wiscasset Area Chamber of Commerce's “Think Outside the Box” campaign. The event will instead take place at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 28, at Le Garage Lounge, Wiscasset Town Planner Misty Parker announced in an email December 20.

Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties are part of a winter storm watch the National Weather Service has in effect from Saturday morning, December 21, to Monday morning, December 23. Expect rain and freezing rain, with the heaviest precipitation Saturday night through early Sunday, according to the NWS’ website at www.weather.gov.

Winter is off to a great start at Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) in Jefferson. The snow came just in time for last Sunday’s full moon hike and “Owl Prowl.”

Fourteen visitors joined Lynne Flaccus from Sheepscot Valley Conservation Association for a moonlight walk while calling owls along the way. Full moon hikes will happen each month at HVNC.

This last storm also paves the way for HVNC’s upcoming kids cross-country ski clinic beginning on Saturday January 4 with a free kickoff clinic. Starting on January 4 and continuing for an additional five Saturdays until February 10 participants ages 4-14 will spend an hour-and-a-half each morning working on the basics of cross-country skiing.

Participants will be divided into groups based on experience and skill level, and will work with one of our very skilled and enthusiastic ski instructors.

HVNC prides itself on fun, and this clinic is no exception. Participants will learn by playing games and exploring HVNC’s 30 miles of trails in a non-competitive atmosphere. All skills levels are encouraged to register. With snow on the ground, and trails groomed HVNC is ready for a great start.

Interested families and individuals should register online. Please note that anyone interested in the free kickoff clinic still must register online because space is limited. Participants can register for the full clinic in advance, or they can wait until after the kickoff clinic on January 4.

Clinic details are available online. Registration fees range between $40-$60. Discounts applied for HVNC membership, as well as for siblings. Limited scholarship assistance is available. Space is limited, please sign up early. For more information, email kmohrstone@yahoo.com.

As Briana Goud goes, so go the Wolverines.

On Friday, Dec. 20 Goud went big.

Goud scored 21 of Wiscasset's 49 points to pace the team to its first victory of the season, a 49-24 romp over Winthrop.

The senior forward was consistent to boot as she scored five points in the first quarter, six in the second and third and four the fourth.

Wiscasset (1-5) was able to jump out to a 12-6 lead after one quarter and never looked back. At halftime the Wolverines stretch their lead to 20-8 and 32-20 after three quarters of play.

Freshmen point guard Gabby Chapman scored five of her nine points in the fourth to go along with Goud's four, and baskets from senior Hanna Campbell, juniors Kayla Gordon and Hanna Foye who all had four points total.

The team will play Monday, Dec. 30 at Mountain Valley then head up the peninsula to take on rival Boothbay Region January 2.

Related: More Wiscasset sports

Despite trailing for the first 24 minutes and 54 seconds of the Friday, Dec. 20 game against Wiscasset, the Winthrop Ramblers boys varsity basketball team proved the old adage true: it's not over until it's over.

The Ramblers (4-2) were able to rally in the fourth quarter to upset the Wiscasset Wolverines, 55-52, in a game that saw just one lead change.

The Wolverines (3-2) were able to jump out to an early and ended the first quarter up 13-7. The second quarter saw Wiscasset pad its lead to a 23-17 advantage.

In the third quarter, things shifted, however. Winthrop's Matt Sebrok scored seven of his 15 points and Jake Hickey scored seven of 13 points in the third to trim Wiscasset's lead to 41-38 after three full quarters.

It was Hickey's next two points that changed the course of the game.

In the first seven seconds of the fourth quarter, Wiscasset was called for a technical foul after some shoving and Hickey buried both of his free throws the get the game within one point.

With seven minutes and six seconds to go Hickey nailed a long jump shot to give Winthrop a 42-41 advantage, its first of the night.

But Wiscasset wouldn't be without its own heroes. Junior Travis Padilla launched a three-pointer from NBA range to tie the game at 52 with less than a minute to go and nearly tied the game at the end with another long three but Winthrop was able to hold on.

Matt Craig lead the way for the Wolverines with 13 points while Padilla added 10 of his own. Chandler Longfellow netted eight points and Ethan James had six.

The Wolverines will next play December 30 at Mountain Valley.

While 2013 is over, the 2014 sports season is kicking off in earnest.

But, before the Wiscasset Wolverines take on Western Class C foes and the new year, here's a look back to see how the 2013-14 school yeah started off.

Fall

Senior Chandler Longfellow highlighted what could be called a season for the ages in Wiscasset.

Longfellow placed second in the Class C boys golf championships in October at Arrowhead Golf Course.

Longfellow finished at four over par during the championship to split honors with Winthrop's Adam Hachey and come in five strokes behind the Class C champ, Fort Fairfield's Robbie Watson, who shot a 71.

On the soccer field both the boys and girls teams qualified for the Western Class C playoffs.

Both teams also carried regular season success into the playoffs.

The girls team won 11 games in the regular season and knocked Lisbon out of the playoffs. The defending Class C champs Waynflete was able to knock off Wiscasset in an instant classic that required a shootout to be settled.

Seniors Sarah Hanley and Briana Goud were picked for the 2013 Western Class C all conference first team at the end of the season. Goud and Hanley were named to the all-academic team, along with teammate Michaela Trudeau.

Hannah Foye was selected to the Western Class C all conference second team and Kasey Cromwell and Miranda McIntire received honorable mentions.

The boys team also won its opening round in the playoffs, defeating Carrabec. The Wolverines would eventually fall to Maranacook to end a nine-win regular season.

The boys squad had several players earn acknowledgments from around the league. Jennings Souza was named to the Western Class C all-conference first team, Brycson Grover made the second team and Mason Whitaker and Kevin Lynch were both honorable mentions.

The Wiscasset cross country team also had a number of highlights in the fall.

Amanda Marcus, Gabrielle Ericson-Wenners, David Pearson and Ridge Barnes sported Wolverine Red for the all-conference team while David Marcus was named to the all-academic team.

Winter

The swimming team will look to keep up its fast pace when it dives in again at 5:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17 at home. On January 24, Brunswick and Hyde come to town to go lane-for-lane with the Wolverines.

While the basketball season is still young, the boy varsity basketball team appears strong heading into the new year. The team has had solid seasons from the likes of established players like Matt Craig, Dale Peaslee, Candler Longfellow and Travis Padilla, while young players like Jennings Souza and Nate Mills have stepped in to play significant minutes.

On the girls side, the Wolverines were able to oust Winthrop for the first win of the season.

Briana Goud has been the rock in the center of Wiscasset's two-way game, and Kasey Cromwell, Kayla Gordon, Tylan Onorato and Gabrielle Chapman have been able to give the Wolverines different looks on offense.

For a game that was separated by one point after one quarter and four points at the half, things escalated quickly for the Wiscasset High School boys varsity basketball team — to the tune of 44 second-half points and another win at home.

Wiscasset outgunned Oak Hill Saturday, Jan. 4 by a scored of 78-63. The Wolverines had four players score in double digits, including a game-high 19 points for Travis Padilla.

Padilla had plenty of help, however. Dale Peaslee scored 16 points, Chandler Longfellow added 13, Brandon Sprague scored 10, Matt Craig had nine points and Ethan James had five points off the bench.

The Wolverines jumped out to a 19-18 advantage after one quarter of play. While Oak Hill held a size advantage (center Derek Gamage, who scored 13 points, stood at 6’5”) Wiscasset was more aggressive on the boards. Wiscasset forward Dylan McMahon was able to wear out Gamage and give the Wolverines several second chances on the offensive side.

But, behind a gutsy effort from the Raiders’ Dalton Therrien and Jonah Martin (both had 17 points), Oak Hill was able to keep the game close in the first half as Wiscasset only held a 34-30 advantage at the half.

Unfortunately for Oak Hill, the third quarter was when the Padilla and Peaslee show began. The pair proved to be too athletic for Oak Hill’s guards as each was able to intercept passes and score on turnovers to push Wiscasset’s lead wider. Peaslee scored eight of his 16 points in the third quarter while Padilla added nine of his 19 to make the score 58-42 after three quarters of play.

From there, Wiscasset was able to glide to the 78-63 victory.

The Wolverines’ Monday, Jan. 6 game against Dirigo was rescheduled to 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 due to inclement weather.

On December 14, 17 hardy observers set about counting the birds of the Pemaquid-Damariscotta area as part of the 114th annual National Audubon Christmas Bird Count.
The area searched is a 15-mile circle that centers on the junction of Route 32 and Bristol Mills Road, including the entire towns of Damariscotta, Bristol, South Bristol and parts of East Boothbay, Edgecomb, Newcastle, Bremen and Friendship. The five groups that covered the circle in the field were augmented by the efforts of observers who closely monitored their home feeders.
A total of 66 species were found comprising 4,653 individual birds. This number compares unfavorably with the 73 species and 5,172 individual birds found on last year's count, most likely a reflection of the inclement weather the observers experienced and also less open water than in 2012's count.
Nonetheless, excellent birds were found:

• One snowy owl was observed by an alert home owner on Pemaquid Point. This species is occurring in unprecedented numbers in the northern United States this year.
• A Baltimore oriole has been visiting feeders on Lewis Point Road for a few weeks, and was viewed and photographed on Count Day.
• Two Barrow's goldeneyes were found on the Damariscotta River among dozens of common goldeneyes. This rare species is becoming a regular in this region during the winter months.

• A peregrine falcon was spotted in Friendship. This species is making a gradual comeback after the elimination of DDT some years ago largely because of the efforts of local resident, the late Rachel Carson.
• South Bristol observers located a lingering white-crowned sparrow, a species that normally would be found far south of this area in winter.

What was not observed, however, were the irruptive species referred collectively as winter finches. Last year on this count, 66 pine grosbeaks were found almost wherever flowering crab apple trees were planted. This year none were found. White-winged crossbills, redpolls and pine siskins were found in 2012 with only one pine siskin and no redpolls or crossbills found this year. This phenomenon most likely reflects an adequate food supply to our north.
The enthusiasm and toughness of all observers in the field was heartening. In addition, the feeder-observers' contributions were well appreciated and significant (with one of the count's most worthy birds being found by a feeder observer). All in all, the Pemaquid-Damariscotta Christmas Count, 2013, was very successful.

Despite a late push, the Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team was unable to sneak past Dirigo Tuesday, Jan. 7.

The Wolverines (1-7) fought and clawed with Dirigo (7-1) all night, but fell, 37-32. Almost half of Dirigo's points came from Jess Conant who scored 15 points. Lauren Henderson (eight points) and Kelsey Hutchins (seven) provided the rest of the punch for the Cougars.

For Wiscasset the offense was again led by forwards Briana Goud and Kayla Gordon. Goud, a senior, had 14 points and junior Gordon added 13. Coach Patrick Quinn reported that Dirigo was able to put the game away in the fourth quarter with foul shots.

But, Wiscasset wouldn't end the home stand without one victory; the junior varsity squad defeated Dirigo, 39-29, behind Hayleigh Craig's 14 points and Hannah Campbell's 10.

Teens to Trails, also known as T3, has launched the Association of Maine Outing Clubs or AMOC.

The association is a membership organization serving Maine High School Outing Clubs and Advisors.

AMOC will establish a unified network of Outdoor Clubs to support club advisors and promote the sharing of ideas and resources. It will also work to establish best practices for Maine’s High School Outing Clubs and make a powerful advocacy group that can raise awareness of the importance of outdoor experiences in the lives of Maine teens.

Benefits for members of AMOC include discounts through many of T3’s Partner businesses and organizations, increased networking with other Outing Clubs, access to free and discounted outdoor adventures put together by T3 and its Partners, an L.L. Bean gift card or first aid kit appropriate for group outings, and discounted entry fee for two advisors to the first ever Association of Maine Outing Clubs Advisor Conference to take place at Sugarloaf on Monday, March 17. The conference will be an opportunity for advisors to gather, network, and take part in professional development sessions to optimize the Outing Club programming available to their students.

High school outing clubs provide invaluable opportunities for Maine teens to have confidence-building and enriching personal growth experiences in the natural world. Teens To Trails aspires to connect every Maine high schooler to Maine’s beautiful wilderness and take advantage of the state treasure that resides just outside our back doors.

“I'm so excited to know that there will be an organization of Outing Clubs in our state to help clubs gain traction and fiscal support as a legitimate and worthwhile extracurricular activity on par with sports, drama, robotics, etc.,” said Yarmouth Outing Club Advisor Catie Wooten. “All kids should have chances to learn how to enjoy the outdoors safely!”

To join AMOC as an Outing Club or Outing Club Advisor or for information about the AMOC Conference, please visit the Teens To Trails website.

The Wolverines will have a full plate of games in the weeks ahead.

Both teams will play today, Monday, Jan. 13 in Mt. Abram.

The girls varsity team tips off at 5:30 p.m. with the boys following at 7 p.m., also against Mt. Abram.

Because Saturday’s game was washed out, the Lady Wolverines will have a make-up date Monday, Jan. 20 at home against Monmouth at 2:30 p.m. The junior varsity will also play Monmouth, with the game starting at 1 p.m. at home.

The boys team will play at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20 against Dirigo.

In addition to the games that have been shuffled due to the weather, Wiscasset High School sports teams still have a full slate of games this week.

The girls basketball team will play again at 5:30 p.m. (junior varsity) and 7 p.m. for the varsity Thursday, Jan. 16 at home against Spruce Mountain. The junior varsity plays at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 at Telstar, with the varsity squad playing at 7 p.m.

The boys team will be no less busy; junior varsity tips off at 5:30 p.m. with the varsity starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15 against Spruce Mountain at home. At 5:30 and 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 the junior varsity and varsity teams play at Telstar.

It isn’t just the basketball teams who have full schedules, either.

The swimming team dives in at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 and the same time Friday, Jan. 24 in back-to-back home meets. In the Jan. 17 match-up, Gardiner comes to town, with Brunswick coming to the Wiscasset Community Center a week later.

For a few minutes, there was no stopping Kayla Gordon.

The Wiscasset High School junior's low-post game frustrated and bedeviled the Spruce Mountain Phoenix until Coach Gavin had to call a time out in the third quarter.

Unfortunately for Wiscasset, however, the Phoenix (10-0) were able to withstand Gordon's barrage and win, 48-17, Thursday, Jan. 16 in Wiscasset.

Gordon scored eight points in the third quarter within the span of a few minutes. She accounted for all of the Wolverines’ third quarter points.

The Wolverines (2-10) had to play catch-up from the beginning; Spruce Mountain's swarming defense and constant traps led to several turnovers and an 18-4 advantage after one quarter.

Spruce Mountain was able to slow Wiscasset at half-court and get the Wolverines out of a rhythm. By half-time, the Phoenix held a 29-5 lead.

After Gordon's standout third quarter the Wolverines were able to claw to 35-13, but Spruce Mountain was able to hold on.

The Phoenix received its offense from Samantha Richards, who scored 11 points and Emily Keene, who netted nine. Wiscasset's Briana Goud was second on the team with four points.

Wiscasset will play at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17 in Telstar.

The Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team didn't waste time January 17.

As has been the case for most of the season, when the Wolverines jump out in front, they tend to stay there.

Wiscasset (3-10) beat Telstar (1-11) Friday, Jan. 17 by a score of 52-37.

Playing on the road, Wiscasset was able to jump out to a 12-4 lead after one quarter and pushed it to 25-13 at halftime.

Telstar wasn't done yet, however. The Rebels scored 15 points in the third quarter against Wiscasset's 12, but the Wolverines held on for the victory.

The duo of senior Briana Goud (21 points) and junior Kayla Gordon (20 points) again fueled the Wolverine attack. The two forwards again got to the basket and to the charity stripe: between the two of them they shot 24 of Wiscasset's 28 free throws.

The rest of the Wolverine offense came from Alecia Faulkingham, who scored seven points, and Miranda McIntire, who had four points.

Telstar's scoring was more spread out: Tori Ryerson had nine points, Casey Blaszczak had seven, and Savanna Patmaude and Alyssa Brands each had six.

Related: Phoenix rises over Wiscasset

Sometimes, the old sayings still ring true: for Wiscasset, it was a charm the second time.

The Wolverines (4-11) came back Friday, Jan. 24 to defeat the Monmouth Mustangs a day after losing a tightly-fought game.

Wiscasset was able to win the rematch, 39-33, by  relying on its defense to take away Monmouth’s potent outside game.

A night after Sidney Wilson and Paxton Lessert combined for six three-pointers, the pair was held to just seven and five points, respectively.

For Wiscasset, Alecia Faulkingham had 13 points, Briana Goud had 10 and Gabby Chapman and Kayla Gordon each had six points.

Should WIscasset win Monday, Jan. 27 against Lisbon it would qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

Thursday, Jan. 23

In a game that started with all the frenetic energy of a drag race, it was a Mustang that had the most horsepower in the end.

The Monmouth Mustangs were able to race past the Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team January 23 by a score of 52-34.

But, the game was far closer than the final score.

Wiscasset jumped out to an early lead and held a 12-7 advantage going into the second quarter. The Wolverines, behind season stalwarts Kayla Gordon and Briana Goud, held a size advantage in the paint and used it to their advantage.

But, the Mustangs wouldn't go quietly. The team might not have been able to match up with Wiscasset when it came to height, but the Mustangs had another trick: the long ball.

With Wiscasset's inside-out game working in the first quarter, the Mustangs went to an outside-first approach. The Mustangs began shooting three-pointers with an almost reckless abandon, and were able to sink a number of them en route to a 19-2 second quarter.

But, Wiscasset wouldn't go down easily, either.

Gordon had nine of her 15 points in the second half to help Wiscasset pull within single digits in the last frame, but in the end it was the Mustangs' sharp shooters who prevailed over the Wiscasset bigs.

Gordon led Wiscasset with 15 points, while Goud and fellow senior Alecia Faulkingham each had six.

For the Mustangs, Sidney Wilson had 15 points, while both Haley West and Paxton Lessert had 11. Wilson and Lessert each had a trio of three-pointers.

Another week, another set of wins for the Wiscasset High School swimming team.

The swim team competed Friday, Jan. 24 at home against two Brunswick schools and Hyde Academy, and although the Wolverines finished third behind both Brunswick teams, there were a number of strong individual performances.

Wiscasset's Julia West won two individual races and was the anchor for two relays for Wiscasset.

West won the girls 200 yard individual medley with a time of 2 minutes and 31.38 seconds and the 100 yard breaststroke, as her time of one minute 14.24 seconds was just in before Brunswick's Caitlin Tycz (1:14.56).

It wasn't just West getting in on the first-place finishes, either: The 200-yard freestyle relay team took home first-place honors with a time of two minutes and 4.6 seconds.

Wiscasset placed third in the girls 200 yard medley relay, with a time of 2:26.48. Brunswick took the top two spots, with either team coming within a second of another: the Dragons' A team finished at 2:05.68 while the B tam finished at 2:06.03.

In the girls 50 yard freestyle race, Wiscasset's Maeve Carlson finished in third place (32.79 seconds) and Amanda Marcus was right behind her (37.81 seconds) in fourth place.

Carlson was second (one minute and 12.36 seconds) and Marcus was fourth (1:23.60) in the 100-yard freestyle.

Sarah Hanley was second in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of one minute and 18.54 seconds. Hanley would finish third in the 100-yard backstroke with a time of one minute and 22.02 seconds.

Colin Viele, who was coming off a school record-setting showing January 17, was second in the boys 100-yard butterfly with a time of one minute and 5.96 seconds and was the top finisher (one minute and 4.27 seconds) in the 100-yard backstroke.

During the January 17 meeting Viele broke Tim George's eight-year-old record in the 500-yard freestyle with a time of five minutes and 39.63 seconds. George's 2006 record clocked in at 5:42.83.

Sam Storer (26.02 seconds) was second and Kyle Viele (37.54 seconds) was sixth in the 50 yard freestyle.

Kyle Viele was also fifth in the 100-yard freestyle, with a time of one minute, 29.97 seconds.

Wednesday afternoon, January 29, the Busline League Cheerleading Competition was held at Medomak Middle School. Along with the Boothbay Wildcats, there were teams from Medomak, Oceanside, Great Salt Bay and the Bristol Consolidated School.

The competition consisted of first-round and second-round performances, with three judges scoring each team in each performance.
In the end the team scores were:

• First: Medomak River Hawks with 58
• Second: Oceanside Mariners with 51.65
• Third: Great Salt Bay Cougars with 42.3
• Fourth: Boothbay Wildcats with 35
• Fifth: Bristol Consolidated with 34.15

If one was to sit back and stop trying to analyze if cheering is a sport or not, what one with an open mind might see was a competition involving a large group (72) of mostly seventh and eighth graders (with a few sixth-graders mixed in) all working to give their best performance, while all the other teams cheered them on and supported them.

You do not always see this spirit of competition and such outstanding sportsmanship at the same time in many sports. Every routine was watched and cheered on by every team. They all warmed up together with a couple of cheers that set the stage for the day’s competition.

It was fun to watch how positive the gym became when a team started cheering loud positive cheers, not just for its girls, but every girl on the floor. It was something seen only in a few sports.
Boothbay team members were eighth-graders Uberita Lovely, Caitlin Chaousis, Evie Dolloff, Courtney Lewis; Elizabeth Ham, Annie Bryer, Kayla Lewis, Sierra Murray and Ashley Ames; and seventh-grader Grace Robinson. The coach was Lisa Tilton.

The Bristol Consolidated School team members were eighth-graders, Mia Hall, Cheyenne Cash, Lindsay Dallot and Emily Embury; and sixth-grader, Lauren Benner. The coach was Meredith Hughes
Members of the Medomak River Hawks were eighth-graders Ashley Kenniston, Rose Hickey, Megan Wright, Samantha Pelkey, Sierra Metcalf, Kaylee Meyer, Autumn Sproul, Alyssa Blackler, Adrianna Wadsworth, Erika Simmons, Rebekah Marks, Sophie Robbins, Naomi Kihn, Emily Wiley and Alyie Sprague; and seventh-graders Mikayla Timberlake, Mariah Grindle, Leah Wilcox, Molly Taylor, Nicole Demmons, Cassie Smeltzer, Kaitlyn Genthner, Jordan Hays and Vanessa MacDougall. The coach was Leanne Young.

Oceanside West Mariners were eighth-graders Lily Johnson, Erin Dugan,Lauren Darge, Kiara Robinson, Effie Monroe and Kaleeann Miller; seventh-graders, Kyla Fredericks, Lexi McMahon, Hailey Nickerson, Mikayla Jo Peasley, Hannah Simmons and Vanessa Wasielewki; and sixth-grader, Georgianna Chamas. The coach was Irene McGonagle, with assistant coaches Tiffany Darge and Caroline Curtis.

Great Salt Bay team members were eighth-graders Sammy Ober, Paige Gray, Mallory Oliver, MacKenzie Ford, Brianna Farrin, Haylee Gagnon, Zoe Hunt and Caitlin Betts; seventh-graders, Sydnee Lily, Shelby Collins, Tiffany Murray, Emily Harris, May Halm, Abi Gifford and Monica Staples; and sixth graders Ava Toscano, Alonna Galpin-Sigler, Makayla Bailey, Jenna Sullivan and Lucy Shamel. The coach was Brie Konitzki.

Wiscasset won't be lacking for sports action Friday, Jan. 31.

The Wolverines close out the month with a game and a meet at home, and an away game in Gardiner.

The varsity swim team, fresh off a successful meet with Brunswick, will host Camden tonight at home. Splash is set for 5 p.m. and the first race will be at 5:30 p.m.

On the court, the boys varsity basketball team will try to follow in the girls' footsteps and knock-off Boothbay Region. The girls team won Thursday, Jan. 30, 47-34, and the boys team will play Friday with the junior varsity starting at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity following at 7 p.m.

The girls junior varsity basketball team will also see action today, as they travel to Gardiner to play the Tigers at 3:30 p.m.

Fresh off an exhilarating win over its rival and a Rally, the Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team won't have much time to relax.

The varsity team plays at 7 p.m. tonight, Feb. 3, at home against the Hall-Dale Bulldogs. The junior varsity will tip-off at 5:30 p.m., also at home against Hall-Dale.

The varsity squad has been on a roll as of late; the team will be looking for its fourth-straight win.

The two teams met up early in the season; Hall-Dale was able to win, 40-24, on its home court.

Although Sunday's Seahawk victory was anything but a given, the January 31 Seahawk victory was a bit more of a climb.

The Wiscasset High School boys varsity basketball team nearly rallied from double digits to upset the Boothbay Region High School varsity basketball team Friday, Jan. 31. The Seahawks were able to hold on late for the 67-61 victory.

The two teams came out evenly matched, with both teams trading offense for offense before a packed house at Wiscasset High School. After one quarter, the score was knotted at 18 points apiece; with Boothbay's Evan Hepburn and Wiscasset's one-man wrecking ball, Travis Padilla, doing most of the damage. Padilla had 12 first quarter points while Evan Hepburn had 11.

In the second quarter, Boothbay would be able to get some breathing room and pulled ahead, 37-26.

But, Wiscasset was just getting started.

Padilla scored 16 of his game-high 28 points in the second half to help Wiscasset get within four points of their rivals with 33 seconds left.

But, it wasn't to be.

Despite being outscored in the second half, Boothbay was able to keep the lead, thanks in large part to John Hepburn, who finished with 22 points, including 18 in the second half. Evan Hepburn had 17 points for the Seahawks.

Usually, the Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team can count on one advantage: size.

With tall forwards Kayla Gordon (five-foot-nine), Briana Goud and Miranda McIntire (both listed at five-foot-eight) roaming the middle, the Wolverines can put up a wall around smaller opponents.

Unfortunately for the Wolverines, Hall-Dale's Allison Crockett was able to step over that wall.

The Wolverines fell, 37-30, Monday night, February 3 in a tightly contested battle that saw the Bulldog center, who is listed at six-foot-one, score 15 points to rally Hall-Dale.

Hall-Dale was able to jump out to an early lead, but Wiscasset (6-12) wasn't going quietly on a night that honored seniors Goud and Hannah Campbell.

After the first half, which saw Hall-Dale claw and grind to a 25-18 lead, the two teams were evenly matched; both scored five points in the third quarter and seven in the fourth. But, that early lead pushed Hall-Dale to its 11th win against seven losses.

Wiscasset's offense came from Goud and Gordon, who both had 10 points, and Alecia Faulkingham, who netted seven points. Freshman Gabby Chapman sunk an early three-pointer for her three points.

On a night that honored senior swimmer Sarah Hanley, it was Hanley leading the way for the Wiscasset High School varsity swim team.

Wiscasset finished fourth overall, behind two Camden Hills teams and Hyde Academy on Friday, Jan. 31.

In the girls 50-yard freestyle, Hanley in second place with a time of 28.39 seconds behind Camden's Helen Carter, who finished in 27.44 seconds, and just ahead of Camden's Keeli Wood, who finished in 28.61 seconds. Wiscasset's Jessica Mcleod finished the race in 55.53 seconds.

Hanley also took second place in the girls 100-yard freestyle after she finished in one minute, 4.06 seconds. Camden's Catherine Abaldo finished first with a time of one minute, 3.79 seconds.

In the boys 50-yard freestyle, Wiscasset's Sam Storer finished in fourth place with a time of 26.13 seconds and teammate Kyle Viele was right behind him in sixth place with a time of 37.94 seconds. Camden's Kyle Crans won the event after finishing in just 23.44 seconds.

Storer finished second in the boys 100-yard butterfly with a time of one minute and 6.62 seconds. Camden's Mark McCluskey was first in the same event with a time of 58.15 seconds.

Kyle Viele was fifth in the boys 100-yard freestyle with a time of one minute, 27.14 seconds. Hyde Academy's Richard Ramirez won the event with a time of 54.88 seconds.

The Wiscasset girls 200-yard freestyle relay team, which features Mcleod, Hanley, Amanda Marcus and Julia West, was third in the relay with a time of two minutes, 44.97 seconds. Camden's A squad won the same event.

Colin Viele again swam well for Wiscasset; he won the 100-yard breaststroke with a time of one minute and 11.49 seconds, which was 10 seconds faster than the second-place finisher.

If point guards are meant to set the pace for their teams, then Travis Padilla certainly did that Tuesday, Feb. 4.

Wiscasset High School’s Padilla played well through three-quarters: dishing assists; playing sticky defense and forcing turnovers against a tough Hall-Dale team.

But, after three quarters, the Wiscasset High School boys varsity basketball team only had a six-point lead and Padilla only had two points.

That's when the junior went into beast mode.

Padilla torched the Bulldogs for 18 points in the fourth quarter to turn what had started as a back-and-forth battle into a 69-56 blowout win for the Wolverines.

Although he led all scorers with 20 points, Padilla deferred to his teammates, and often. Dale Peaslee had 16 points, Brandon Sprague had 14 and Chandler Longfellow had 11 to push Wiscasset to a victory in its final regular season game.

The Wolverines trailed, 12-7, after one quarter. The Bulldogs were able to rely on Brian Allen (16 points), Bryson Camp (15) and Nat Crocker (10) to ignite the team’s offense.

But then Wiscasset switched to a more aggressive man-to-man defense and began capitalizing on turnovers. Half-way through the second quarter the Wolverines retook the lead and never gave it up again.

The Bulldogs were able to hound the heels of Wiscasset; the lead never went beyond 11 points and got within four points at one point.

Padilla was able to turn on the offense and put the game away, however.

With all regular season games in the books, the time to look forward to playoff basketball is at hand.

For the first time in several years, both the Wiscasset High School boys and girls varsity basketball teams will be representing the red, black and white in the end-of-season tournament.

With the girls team getting into the playoffs, it means that Wiscasset's first four seasons of team sports (boys and girls soccer and basketball) have all qualified for the playoffs. Golf, cross country and swimming have individuals who have qualified for state meets, as well.

At 10-8 overall, the boys squad has clinched the eighth seed in the Class C Western Conference.

Rival Boothbay Region High School has the top seeding with a 16-2 record, and Dirigo, who is slated to face Boothbay for the Western Class C crown, is second at 16-1. BRHS won the division crown and represented the Western Class C in the finals in 2012-13.

Assuming the seeding stays the same between now and February 12, the Wolverines would play Old Orchard Beach in the preliminary round, with the top four seeds getting a bye.

The girls team was able to ride a late season surge into the playoffs. The Wolverines won three of the team’s last four to claim the last spot in playoffs.

St. Dom's is listed as the top team in Western Class C with a record of 15-3, followed by Maranacook (13-5), Carrabec (14-3), Old Orchard Beach (12-5) and Madison (11-6).

Coming in only one spot ahead of Wiscasset was the Boothbay Region Lady Seahawks, whose 7-11 record was good enough for the 13th seed.

If all things hold steady, the Wolverines would play Carrabec in the first round.

For the past six weeks kids ages 4 to 14 (40 skiers to be exact) have been descending on Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson each Saturday morning for a cross-country ski clinic. Despite combinations of biting cold, freezing rain and limited snow the kids showed up eager and enthusiastic each week. The gleeful sounds of skiers could be heard all around HVNC.

The clinic is in its second year, and both years have been sold out. The event is hosted by HVNC, though the idea came from a spark provided by then volunteer, now HVNC board of director member, Kristin Stone. Stone also provided the groundwork to get the kid’s Mountain Bike Club up and running this past fall.

Each week the clinic-goers would arrive, make their way from the parking area to HI-Hut and begin the clinic with group stretching. Four great coaches, Megan Phillips, Lilli Pugh, Annie Nixon and Kolleen Cass, were the backbone to each session along with some help from parents. The skiers would break up into groups based on experience, and off they went.

Some went out into the woods on HVNC’s trails, learning about poling, navigating terrain and how to be an athletic skier. Other skiers stayed closer to HI-Hut navigating obstacle courses, learning the basics and playing lots of games.

All skiers, regardless of experience level enjoyed a fun, non-competitive atmosphere with lots of games, and always ending with a cup of hot chocolate.

Several scholarships were offered thanks to the generosity of Damariscotta Bank and Trust in Damariscotta.

The clinic had its last session on Sunday, Feb. 9 and the kids are now prepared to head out and enjoy the rest of the winter on skis. HVNC’s outdoor recreation clinics, like this one, are designed to give kids and families exposure to all the fun and healthy ways to enjoy the best of Maine. Keep an eye out for future biking, hiking, and skiing adventures offered year round at HVNC.

HVNC is a nonprofit education and recreation center in Jefferson. For more information about HVNC’s events and recreational opportunities, visit www.hvnc.org, info@hvnc.org or call 207-200-8840.

The Wiscasset Wolverines will, for the first time in several years, have both boys and girls basketball teams in the state brackets.

And now the teams know who they will be up against.

The girls team (6-12) will have the unenviable task of taking on a tough Carrabec Cobras squad.

The Cobras secured the third seed in Western Class C by going 14-4 on the season.

When the two teams met up December 6 in Wiscasset, the Cobras were able to come away with a 55-42 win.

The girls team will play at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11, in Carrabec, at 160 North Main Street in North Anson.

As for the boys team (10-8), the road to Augusta will be a tough one, too.

The eighth-seeded Wolverines first-round opponent is perennial powerhouse Old Orchard Beach, but unlike the girls team, the boys will play host to their opponent. The ninth-seeded Seagulls (12-5) will play the Wolverines at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 12 in Wiscasset.

The two teams didn't meet in 2013-14, but mere percentage points separated the two teams.

Should Wiscasset chop down Old Orchard, the Wolverines will need to find their way against Dirigo, who claimed the first seed in Western Class C.

Dirigo will have a first-round bye and guaranteed home game in the second round of the playoffs.

The Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team was unable to overcome an early deficit and fell, 38-26, February 11 against the Carrabec Cobras.

The loss bounces Wiscasset from the Western Class C playoffs and ends the season for the 14th-ranked Wolverines.

Wiscasset was able to secure the last spot on the playoffs with a 6-12 record during the regular season. Carrabec (15-4) was the third-ranked team in Western Class C. The Cobras will face-off with defending champion Waynflete.

It was a successful season for Wiscasset, nonetheless; the team qualified for the playoffs for the first time in several years, beat rival Boothbay Region and will return junior stand-outs Alecia Faulkingham, Kayla Gordon, Hanna Foye and Miranda McIntire to go along with a young core of players.

Sometimes, teams are ranked closely for a reason.

Take the Wiscasset and Old Orchard Beach High School boys varsity basketball teams. Wiscasset was ranked eighth and Old Orchard ninth in the Western Class C playoffs.

So, it was only fitting that the two closest-matched teams played a game that saw evaporating double-digit leads, ties, lead swaps, ejections and dramatics.

At the end, it was the Wolverines who came away with a 66-59 win.

The Wolverines (10-8 in the regular season) found themselves in a dogfight early with the Seagulls (12-5), who have traditionally been a power in Class C.

But, the combo of Travis Padilla (23 points), Brandon Sprague (13) and Matt Craig (10 points) along with Dale Peaslee (nine points) was able to upend the Seagulls eventually.

Old Orchard jumped out to an early 9-2 lead to begin the game, but Wiscasset was able to claw back and trim that lead to 12-11 after one quarter.

The second quarter saw Wiscasset use its speed to take the lead for the first time and close out the half with a 28-24 lead.

The third quarter looked like the Wolverines would blow-out the Seagulls, after Wiscasset jumped out to a 35-24 lead two minutes into the quarter.

Then Old Orchard found its long-range stroke.

Zach Seamans and Eric Hogan both connected from downtown and Joey Gildard poured in five of his game-high 27 points to trim the lead to 43-40 to end the third quarter.

But, Wiscasset wasn't able to be tripped up so close to the finish line.

Despite the Seagulls remaining within three points for the bulk of the fourth quarter, Padilla took over and had 11 points to ensure a Wiscasset victory.

Wiscasset went on to end the team’s season with a hard-fought loss, 66-56, to the top-ranked Dirigo Cougars in Augusta on Monday, Feb. 17. See story on front page.

Boothbay Region Land Trust has scheduled another year of exciting events to get you outside and enjoying the natural areas of our region.

This year’s theme is “Visit the Preserves” with programs such as hikes, paddles, and talks taking place at each of BRLT’s 17 properties.

Discover lesser known places like Colby and Saunders Preserve while still savoring popular favorites such as Porter and Ovens Mouth Preserve.

BRLT offers educational events year-round at no charge and they are open to everyone. Visit www.bbrlt.org for a calendar of upcoming events with descriptions or keep an eye in the “Goings On” section of the Boothbay Register.

Upcoming events include a social dog walk called “Tails on the Trails” on February 21 at 10 a.m. at Gregory Preserve and a monthly nature hike called “Trail Tuesday” on March 11 at 10 a.m. at Schoolhouse Pond Preserve. Hope to see you on the trails.

Winter is a special time of year during which we get to observe the patterns and habits of our animal neighbors as they hunt, breed, nest and struggle to meet the demands of winter. Their tracks give us a better sense of who else shares a place like Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) and what they’ve been up to. On Saturday, Feb. 15, ten students gathered at HVNC to learn about animal tracks and signs.

The class was led by experienced tracker and woodsman Jason Chandler. Jason is a naturalist and educator and has taught many classes at HVNC ranging from fire building to botany. The class began with an introduction to all the ways to characterize signs of passing animals. Looking at drawings of tracks students familiarized themselves with descriptors for gait, stride pattern, track shape, other characteristics.

The remaining few hours were spent on foot looking for signs of local animals. Dense crust following last week’s rain covered many tracks, but the day was far from boring. Students split into two groups at one point to follow a trail that appeared to have many tracks within it. Reconvening, students shared their interpretations of what had passed the night before. The consensus was that coyote had (in order to save energy) opportunistically used a trail that a lone deer had struggled to break.

The highlight of the day, perhaps, was the meandering moose trail that climbed up one side of a granite ridge and descended the other on an old logging road. Within each moose track was a smaller deer print, indicating that a deer had taken advantage of a path already made. Moose occur regularly at HVNC, but their sign is not frequently observed.

“This has been a great group,” Chandler said. “It has been great to have everyone in the group share their own perspective — we have woodsmen, naturalist, hunters, loggers and conservationists all in one group.” Indeed, this is often the case at HVNC education events.

Prowl reveals local owls and amazing stars

On Sunday, Feb. 16, twenty visitors strapped on snowshoes at Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) and set off down the trails — in the dark. HVNC offers monthly Full Moon Walks, and this month it was paired with an Owl Prowl. Local birder, conservationist and educator Bill Goodwill led the eager walkers in an effort to listen for and call to resident owls. “The idea of walking by moonlight, serenaded by owls, always seems to bring out a crowd,” said HVNC Director Andy McEvoy.

The group made their way to Little Dyer Pond, a secluded great pond, through relatively mature forests. Using a recording, Goodwill played the calls of both great horned and barred owls, the two most common species in the area. These two species are just beginning their nesting season, and so are quick to protect their territories. The idea of the Owl Prowl is to intrigue local owls enough with recorded calls that they’ll either call back, or even fly in to check on potential intruders.

All the hooting turned up one barred owl on the opposite shore of the lake. The owl seemed reluctant to come over to our shore, but seemed content to call back to the group for quite a while.

Before the moon rose, the stars were breathtaking. Many in the group paused to point out constellations and planets, and just to take it all in. Others in the group were more interested in perfecting their own owl imitations.

After the walk most of the visitors gathered in HI-Hut, HVNC’s welcome building, to warm up by a woodstove and wait for the moon to rise. The after-walk conversation is always a highlight of these events, and is a characteristic feature of many HVNC events — after exploring animal and natural communities visitors take the time to build their own communities.

For more information, visit www.hvnc.org or contact info@hvnc.org or 207-200-8840.

It's not just the timber that grows tall in Dixfield.

The Dirigo Cougars boys varsity basketball team happens to tower, too.

But, Wiscasset showed why its motto is “Small yet mighty.”

The eighth-seeded Wolverines were unable to overcome the top-ranked Dirigo Cougars on Monday, Feb. 17 in Augusta during the second round of the Western Maine Class C playoffs. Although the final score was 66 to 56, Dirigo was matched step-for-step by a tough Wiscasset team that was playing in front of a sea of red.

Wiscasset came out swinging: Senior Captain Chandler Longfellow buried a jumper in the opening minute to give Wiscasset an early two-point lead but neither team could capitalize on missed shots and turnovers.

The two teams were evenly matched through the first quarter: Dirigo had the size and speed while Wiscasset attacked with grit and hustle. The Wolverines' Matt Craig, Travis Padilla, Dale Peaslee and Brandon Sprague spent much of the first quarter slamming bodies with Dirigo defenders.

Although the Cougars owned a 14-13 lead after one, Dirigo couldn't bust the game open; after each basket Wiscasset was there to stem the momentum with a Craig block, Peaslee rebound or Longfellow jumper.

Soon that hustle paid-off: the two teams were tied at 21 with four minutes left in the half.

Dirigo would ride a late surge to boost its lead to 36-24 at half-time but Wiscasset made one thing clear: it wasn't going away easily, and Dirigo certainly wouldn't be having fun trying to dispatch a scrappy Wolverines squad.

Dirigo was able to pad its lead for most of the third quarter until Wiscasset clawed back within six points with three minutes left in the third quarter after Longfellow made another long three-pointer.

By the fourth quarter, however, Dirigo was able to finally able to distance itself from the Wolverines.

In the end, Wiscasset had two 15-point performances: one for Longfellow in his last appearance in the black and red and another 15 points for the junior Craig, who spent much of the night adding black and blues to himself and others with drive after drive to the basket.

Peaslee, also a senior, netted 13 points and Padilla, a junior, had five points.

Throughout the month of March, Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) in Jefferson is offering great deals on the yurt, huts and campsite reservations. Make the most of this winter, or come out to welcome spring. Whatever the weather brings, there’s a great reason to be at HVNC.

HVNC has two rustic cabins (Two Dog Hut and Hermit Hut) and one yurt available for overnight renting. Spend a day skiing or snowshoeing and top it off in a cozy, warm hut under the stars. This is what life in Maine is all about. Each building is equipped with some essentials, a woodstove with plenty of firewood, and an outhouse. None of the buildings have water or electricity.

These retreats are especially fun in late winter, when the days are growing longer and the snow is still great. During the month of March stay in Hermit Hut or Two Dog Hut for just $20 per night. It doesn’t matter which day of the week, or if you’re a member or not. Or, rent the yurt during any weeknight (Sunday through Thursday night) for $25/night for members and $45/night for non-members.

You can see more pictures, and get more details about each of the unique buildings online at www.hvnc.org. In order to make a reservation pick your dates, and a set of back-up dates, and write to info@hvnc.org or call 207-200-8840 to inquire about availability.

To learn more about HVNC, visit www.hvnc.org, write to info@hvnc.org, or call 207-200-8840.

With cold temperatures and snow in the mix, winter is back again.

And so are Wiscasset winter sports.

The final send-off for the season will be at 6 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 26, when Wiscasset High School hosts the winter sports awards.

There should be plenty of awards handed out for what ultimately was a successful season for the Wolverines.

Both basketball teams made the state playoffs, with the boys team beating Old Orchard to force a date with Dirigo. The girls team was unable to topple Carrabec, but did defeat long-standing rival Boothbay Region High School for the first time in several years.

The wrestling and swimming teams also fielded successful teams.

When describing a Wiscasset High School boys varsity basketball team that managed to keep-up with top-ranked Dirigo, coach Dana Lawrence said the team exemplified what makes Wiscasset High School unique.

“There's no quit in this team,” he said. “They might be small, but they are mighty.”

The mighty team was rewarded Wednesday, Feb. 26 during the winter sports awards at the high school.

For boys varsity basketball it was Travis Padilla who came away with the most valuable player award, Chandler Longfellow took home the coaches award, Matt Craig was the most improved player, Brandon Sprague was the sixth man and Dale Peaslee earned the sportsmanship award.

Padilla's handiwork also earned praise from other coaches, as the junior was picked for the Mountain Valley Conference's All-Star second team. Craig and Peaslee were MVC honorable mention selections.

For boys junior varsity, Grant Hefler was most improved, Nate Woodman was the most valuable player and Charles Colby took home the sportsmanship award.

On the girls side, senior standout Briana Goud picked up some hardware.

The forward/guard was not only the Wolverines' most valuable player, but she was also a member of the academic all-stars and was named to the Mountain Valley Conference All Star's second team.

It wasn't just Goud picking up accolades, either.

Kayla Gordon was coach Patrick Quinn's pick for the growth award, Alecia Faulkingham won the determination award, Miranda McIntire won for leadership and Hannah Campbell won the sportsmanship award.

Faulkingham and Gordon were also picked as the Mountain Valley Conference All-Star honorable mentions.

For the girls junior varsity team, Kacie Luce won the growth award, Gabrielle Chapman won the determination award and Rachel Berry was the sportsmanship winner.

For the swim team, the girls coaches award winner was Sarah Hanley while Amanda Marcus was the most improved swimmer and Julia West won the sportsmanship award. Hanley was also an academic all-star.

On the boys side, Sam Storer won the coaches award, Colin Viele was the most improved swimmer and Kyle Viele was the sportsmanship winner.

The wrestling team's Logan Grover was placed on the academic all-star team while Tyler Flavin won the most valuable player award. Alex Strozier was the most improved wrestler.

The Wiscasset Newspaper’s editorial page has been taken over by the talents of a group of cartoonists.

In February and March, the talents of a group of 7- to 13-year-old artists will be featured in the pages of the Wiscasset Newspaper and on the website.

The artists were part of a class taught by Reporter Ben Bulkeley at the Wiscasset Public Library on February 21, organized by Children’s Librarian Natalie Castonia.

The cartoons range in style, and in content. While (a lot) of the cartoon strips focus on dogs and animals, others focus on super hero cows, Big Foot and more.

For the second time in her 11-year career at Wheaton College, head coach Melissa L. Hodgdon has been named the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year in a vote conducted by her peers. Hodgdon is a native of East Boothbay and graduated from Boothbay Region High School, class of 1987.

Hodgdon guided the Lyons to their fifth 20-win season in program history in 2013-14, a No. 22 ranking in the in the USA TODAY Sports/Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III Top-25 poll (Wheaton’s first appearance in the poll since 1995) and the second-longest winning streak in program history at 12 games from November 16, 2013 to January 7, 2014.

Hodgdon also led Wheaton, located in Norton, Mass., to its 12th appearance in the NEWMAC Tournament before the Blue and White bowed out to eventual conference champion, Springfield College, in the semifinals.

In her 11 years at the helm of Wheaton’s program, Hodgdon has compiled a 156-137 record (.532), led the Lyons to their first NCAA Tournament in 13 years during the winter of 2007-08, one NEWMAC regular season title and NEWMAC tournament championship, an ECAC Tournament championship game appearance and a school record 14 conference wins (13-14).

Hodgdon has pushed the women’s basketball program to similar heights off the court as Wheaton has boasted a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) during eight of the last ten campaigns, been honored by the NCAA Division III Spotlight poll twice for its work with the Heller’s Angels Special Olympics Team and has collected a pair of SSSR Community Spirit Awards on campus.

For the latest on Wheaton College Athletics, follow the Lyons via social media on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Forty-two Boothbay Region YMCA Dolphin swimmers swam their tails off at the YMCA State Championship swim meet February 28-March 2, at the Wallace Pool, University of Maine. Over seven sessions and 28 hours of racing, Boothbay swam to its highest placement in recent years with the boys team placing 13th with 428.8 points and the girls team finishing 14 with 323 points.

Boothbay had swimmers in each of the seven sessions and hauled in an impressive amount of trophies awarded to the top eight swimmers (34), best times, relays (12), ribbons, and heat winner ribbons.

The swimmers counting individual and relay events improved by a little over 200 seconds for an amazing combined 1500-plus seconds (25 minutes) over the course of the season. This was the first state championship meet for many of our swimmers and they handled it like pros. As a team, out of the 75 individual events, we only had one disqualification out of the 131 total disqualifications at the meet. We are a very young team with our largest numbers and strengths in the 8 and under and 9-10 age groups. That, along with only one graduating swimmer, bodes well for next October when we start up for the 2014-2015 season.

Boothbay girls team results

8 and under: Callan Eason was the overall champion in 50 free with a final time of 36.89 and got right back behind the block and won the next event as well the 25 backstroke with a time of 19.99. Callan teamed up with Lydia Currier, Piper Carleton and Catherine Clifford to place second in the 100 free relay. Piper Carleton and Lydia Currier placed 12th and 13th in the 100 individual medley (IM), and Piper also picked up a 13th in the 25 breaststroke. First-year swimmers Hattie Moss, Hannah Hills, Catherine Clifford and Madison Phelps placed 13th in the 100 medley relay.

9-10: Emilie Crocker, Megan Clifford, Arden Carleton and Zoe Eason placed 8th in the 200 medley relay. Zoe Eason placed 13th with a six-second drop in the 100 free and qualified for the Junior Olympics meet in the 50, 100, and 200 free. Arden Carleton and Alyson Shook both had three- to four-second improvements in the 50 fly. Meghan Clifford placed 15th in the 50 breaststroke and led off the 15th place 200 free relay with Alyson Shook, Marissa Peters and Maren Whitney.

11-12: Ella Yentsch placed 7th and 8th in the 50 and 200 free dropping time in both. Emma Hodgdon had personal bests in the 50 breaststroke, 50 free and 100 free. Hannah Witwicki took almost eight seconds off her 100 IM and 50 fly.

13-14 and Senior: Samantha Carter, Lincoln Hamblett, Nicole LaBrecque and Emma Pearce came in 9th in the 200 medley relay. Evy Case swam to 7th place in the 13-14 girls 200 IM and 13th in the 100 breaststroke. Nicole LaBrecque had a three second personal best in the Senior girls 100 fly, placing 11th. Samantha Carter had a six-second drop to secure 16th place in the Senior girls 200 IM.  Emma Pearce, Lincoln Hamblett, Evy Case and Nicole LaBrecque placed 9th in the 200 free relay.

Boothbay boys team results

8 and under: Gryffin Kristan was the overall champion of the boys 8 and under 100 IM with a time of 1:37.45 and won the 25 breaststroke with a time of 21.47. The 100 medley relay team of Charlie Moss, Duncan Hardwick, Gryffin Kristan and Rafael Goldhirsch placed 3rd. Rafael Goldhirsch placed 10th in the 25 free. Wyatt Lorrain had a personal best in the 25 free while his brother Jackson Lorrain placed 11th in the 25 fly. Charlie Moss earned an 8th place finish in the 25 back. Noah Chamberlain had a 2.8-second drop in his 50 free.

9-10: Sixteen trophies (top 8 swims) were pooled between the six swimmers in this age group. Ben Pearce, Lucas Hardwick, Jameson LaBrecque and Chris Hamblett placed 4th in the 200 medley relay. The team of Chris Hamblett, Gareth Hodgdon, Lucas Hardwick and Henry Currier placed 2nd in the 200 free relay. Ben Pearce placed 6th in the 50 back and 7th in the 50 free. Chris Hamblett placed 4th in the 100 free, qualifying him for the New England meet. Jameson LaBrecque placed 3rd in the 50 breaststroke and 5th in the 50 fly. Lucas Hardwick placed 7th in the 50 breaststroke. Henry Currier placed 4th in the 100 IM and 5th in the 50 breaststroke. Gareth Hodgdon dropped a combined 19 seconds from his 100 free and 100 IM and finished a respectable 17th in both.

11-12: Adam Sirois, Tim Norton, Ethan Barter and Ethan Thompson captured 10th place in the 200 free relay. Ethan Thompson had an astounding almost nine second drop in his 50 breaststroke to glide into 16th place. Adam Sirois dropped time in his 50 free and 50 fly. Rowan Kristan placed 10th and 12th in the 50 and 100 free.

Senior: Austin Crocker, our only graduating senior, had a combined 11 second drop over his 200 and 500 free placing 16th in the 200. This was his fifth state championship. He was honored with other seniors at the meet. He plans to attend Eastern Maine Community College and compete in masters swimming with his brother Calvin.

Coaches, parents and teammates are very proud of all their accomplishments in an out of the pool this season. Next up we have five or six swimmers competing at New England YMCA Championships in Boston, March 15-16. We also have swimmers competing at Junior Olympics at Bowdoin College March 13-16. The Boothbay Dolphins swim banquet will be held in the Coastal Club room at the YMCA March 28 from 5 to 8 p.m. 

We will be having a Family, Alumni and Friends Fun meet Saturday, March 29 open to all ages and abilities (2 length swim assessment for swimmers under 18). Warm up, 11 a.m.; start time, noon. We will have a variety of fun events, swimming events, and relays. The entry fee is $10 for three individual events and $5 for each additional event up to 5 with the proceeds going to the Dolphins swim team.

Living in a coastal area where open ocean water is always nearby and where, for us humans, freshwater is available anytime at the kitchen sink, it is easy to forget that for birds (and other wildlife) wintertime poses some incredible challenges in finding the daily supply of water needed for survival.

We thought of it a few weeks ago when we noticed house sparrows flying in under our car in the driveway. The heat from the engine was enough to form small puddles of water under the car for a little while before the water froze. The house sparrows noticed this, darted under and began drinking what they could get. Just this past week as temperatures rose we saw American robins, cedar waxwings and mourning doves flying up to our roof and drinking from the water melting away from patches of snow. Did you know that most birds have to drink by scooping the water up in the bill and then tilting the head back to let it roll down the throat. But doves are one of the few bird groups that can drink by sticking the bill in water and sucking it up.

Birds are also highly physiologically efficient in their water use. They reabsorb much of the water that they ingest so that their droppings are highly concentrated packets with relatively little water in them. Many birds actually get significant amounts of water from the food they eat — even seed-eating birds gain significant amounts of water from what might look to us like a dry seed.

But even as efficient as their bodies are, they still need some amount of daily water intake. Along with the obvious sources of wintertime freshwater, such as the edges of open rivers and streams, birds must certainly become experts at finding the warm seeps and tiny drips in rock faces and tree trunks in small sun-warmed spots.

Birds living on the ocean have another water problem of course. That is that although they are surrounded by water, it is too salty for their kidneys to process. Marine birds have evolved a remarkable solution: They have specialized glands in the head above the eyes that remove the salt from the blood, letting it dribble out the top of the bill. Experiments with gulls and puffins have found that they can rid themselves of a heavy salt load within hours. Gulls, eiders, scoters, and even mallards, are among birds that have salt glands that allow them to drink salt water.

This time of year, people often ask us what to look for by way of “bird signs of spring.” The next warm, springlike day, keep an eye out for birds in unusual places — like your roof. There’s a good chance they’re up for a drink!

With spring knocking at our door, what better way to spend a day than at the 34th annual State of Maine Sportsman’s Show? This year’s event jam-packs the Augusta Civic Center with everything outdoors.

Show hours are Friday, March 28, 1 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, March 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults (13-64), $6 for kids age 5-12, active military and seniors (65-plus), children under 5 are free.

This year’s sportsman’s dream show features hundreds of exhibitors, over 75 seminars, a Cub’s Den for all the little ones complete with bow shooting, laser shot, face painting, entertainment by Sparky the Clown and even a kids fishing pond!

Major show sponsor L.L.Bean has again donated a brand new kayak that everyone who attends the show has a chance to win. And don’t forget to stop and check out the awesome Bootmobile!

New this year is the Miss Maine Sportsman contest, an almost-overnight Facebook sensation. Twelve finalists will compete for your vote to win the coveted deer antler crown. “This is no beauty contest! This contest was designed to showcase Maine women who actively participate in hunting, fishing and the traditional Maine activities that we love so much,” said Kelly Allen, co-manager of this year’s show.

Returning favorites include training hunting dogs with NAVHDA, seminars featuring outdoor experts from all over New England and Canada, the Moose and Turkey Calling Contests, Q&A with DIF&W Commissioner Chandler Woodcock, Turkey Hunting with Ted Nassivera and Trophy Measuring with MASTC. Come learn something new!

Interested in tracking, hunting the big woods or stand hunting in rural farm country? Three of Maine’s best trophy deer hunters gather for a free for all of deer talk, hunting tactics and advice on deer hunting in Maine. Join Joe Saltalamachia, Hal Blood and Lee Shanz for our first Trophy Whitetail Symposium. This is a new feature this year that promises to be well-worth attending.

Exhibits from Maine’s outdoor agencies, sporting camps and lodges, hunting and fishing gear, sportsman’s clubs, outdoor writers, dock systems, ATVs, boats, forest equipment, guns, guides, fishing charters and much more will fill the main auditorium floor, ready to share their expertise.

Artists from all over New England enter amazing photos, paintings and carvings in the ever-popular art contest. Come view the talent of people right in your backyard and vote for “Sportsman’s Choice,” in each category. Many artists sell their artwork at the show, so come pick up a painting to hang at camp. Well-known Maine artist Georgette Kanach has been chosen as the 2014 Artist of the Year. From 3-D carvings on antlers to intricate carvings on emu eggs, her work is stunning.

This year has potential to impact sportsmen and women in many ways. Not only is 2014 an election year, there is a threat to our outdoor heritage that we faced 10 years ago. Save Maine’s Bear Hunt and Management Program will be on hand to share information on the upcoming referendum.

A legislative/political exhibitor room has been added this year. Come meet the candidates! Gubernatorial, congressional and Maine House and Senate candidates will be on hand to answer your questions about issues important to Maine Outdoorsmen and women.

From shooting trophy Maine moose to Becoming an Outdoors Woman, this show has it all. Throw on your best camo, grab that turkey call you promised yourself you’d learn to use, pack up the wife and kids and spend a day, or the entire weekend, at this show.

For more information, including exhibitor and seminar information, visit www.mainesportsman.com/the-me-sportsmans-show or our Facebook page: State of Maine Sportsman’s Show.

At some point, the snow will have to melt.

It might even melt before the boys and girls of summer take to the diamond.

The Wiscasset High School boys baseball and girls softball teams will soon take to the field.

While the Red Sox enjoy the cozy confines of Jetblue Park in Florida, the Wiscasset Wolverines might have to start in the gym, as the fields were blanketed again by a snowstorm.

Once the snow does melt, the girls softball team will start its season on the road, when it plays Telstar on April 28, then comes home to play Mountain Valley on April 30. Wiscasset will play Mt. Abram on the road May 2, Hall-Dale at home on May 5 and St. Dom's at home on May 7.

May 9 will see the Wolverines traveling to Carrabec to play the Cobras and Wiscasset will play Lisbon at home on May 12. Wiscasset will play Winthrop on the road May 14 before a May 16 game against Telstar at Telstar High School.

May 19 will have the Wolverines pitted against Monmouth Academy at home, then a Friday, May 21 game against Madison will be played at home.

The Wolverines face-off against Oak Hill on the road on May 23 then travel to Spruce Mountain on May 26. Wiscasset returns home on May 28 for a game against Boothbay Region.

The boys varsity baseball team will play its first game on Monday, April 28 at Telstar, then return home on April 30 for a game against Mountain Valley. The Wolverines will play Mt. Abram on May 2 on the road and Hall-Dale, May 5, at home.

St. Doms will follow in the schedule when the Saints come to Wiscasset on May 7. Wiscasset will go on the road on May 9 to play Carrabec. On Monday, May 12 the Wolverines will return home to play Lisbon before going on to the road again to play Winthrop on May 14.

On Friday, May 16 the Wolverines will travel to Dirigo, then host Monmouth Academy on Monday, May 19 and Madison on Wednesday, May 21. The home stand will be short-term, however as the team will travel Friday, May 23 to Oak Hill, and play a 1 p.m. game Monday, May 26 against Spruce Mountain.

Wednesday, May 28 will see the Wolverines return home when they play rival Boothbay Region High School and the regular season will end Monday, June 2 in Madison.

Four distinctly gorgeous properties in France and Italy are within reach, via Heartwood's European Vacation Raffle, running through April 4. Only 200 tickets at $50 each will be sold for each property. Four winners will receive a week's stay and $1,000 for expenses.

Two French properties include a lovely apartment in ancient Apt, the heart of Provence, and a chalet in the French Alps. Spanning Italy from north to south, one may play for a 13th century stone villa in the hillside village of Ventimiglia, Alpes-Maritimes, or a luxury townhouse in sunny Salento, Apulia.

From anywhere in the world, one can visit Heartwood's website, www.heartwoodtheater.org (click the “2014 Vacation Raffle” icon), purchase tickets (can also do so by check), and arrange a winning vacation with the property owner. Win a vacation of a lifetime while supporting theater programming at Heartwood: youth opportunities (summer camp, school outreach and full scale performances), quality main stage productions and original works.

Featured vacation destination

This week’s feature property is a dream location for skiers and hikers. It offers world-class skiing in winter, beautiful hiking in summer, and great French food and wine all year long. This destination is just one hour from the Geneva Airport, by car or by bus.

High in the French Alps, nestled in the ski town of Les Carroz, is a fully equipped family chalet, with three bedrooms (sleeps six), 1-1/2 baths, washer and dryer, carport and outdoor ski locker.

Only 600 meters from the Kédeuze Gondola, you can access trails and lifts, which link the five ski stations of the Grand Massif. Less than one hour from Chamonix, where you can ski the glacier at Argentière, or take the Mont Blanc tramway for spectacular views of Mont Blanc.

Visitors enjoy the skating rink in winter and swimming pool in summer.

A mere two minutes by car or 10 by foot, will place you in the village center with restaurants, artisan chocolate shops and bakeries.

For complete raffle details and abundant photos, descriptions and links to properties and nearby area websites.

Thank you to the generous raffle sponsors: Peapod Jewelry in Wiscasset, a collection of fine designs by Ronna Lugosch; 118 on Munjoy Hill in Portland, 12 condominiums, each offering flexibility to create the urban home that suits your lifestyle; and Boothbay Cottages offering ocean view and lakeside cottages, with special spring and fall rates.

Questions? Email info@heartwoodtheater.org or call 207-563-1373. Bonne chance! Buona fortuna!

We've all seen it: a dog with his head tilted up, the breeze blowing through his fur, with an unmistakable look of pure joy on his face as he takes a ride in his favorite person's car.

The sight is enough to bring a smile to anyone's face. Everyone can identify with that feeling of unadulterated bliss. But what is it about car rides that makes dogs so happy?

The truth is, we'll probably never know for sure, because they can't tell us! But we've dug into the mystery a little bit, and found five plausible reasons for this curious phenomenon.

They like adventures. 

This doesn't apply to every dog, of course (some dogs are shy and crave comfort) but in general dogs are highly curious by nature and really enjoy any kind of adventure, from taking a new hiking trail, to meeting a new canine friend, to exploring that interesting-smelling crawlspace under the house. A car adventure is as good as it gets; it's novel; unpredictable; longer than many walking adventures; and offers all kinds of opportunities for an exciting time. Where will we go today? Who will we see?

There's a smorgasbord of smells in the air. 

Dogs are all about smells, and for good reason. According to Nova's website, scientists have determined that dogs have about 3,000,000 olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to our paltry 30,000. Dogs’ sense of smell overpowers our own by orders of magnitude — it's 10,000 to 100,000 times as acute. What does this mean, exactly, in terms of the difference in our abilities? Well, as dog-cognition researcher Alexandra Horowitz explains in her book “Inside of a Dog,” while we might be able to sniff out a teaspoon of sugar in our coffee, our pooches can detect a teaspoon of sugar in a million gallons of water. So, when you crack open the car window, you're cracking open a whole fascinating, unseen world for your dog full of novelty and intrigue that could keep him entertained indefinitely. If he's happy sniffing out familiar scents in your backyard, imagine how delighted he is to sort out thousands of new smells every minute, from the scent of flowers in bloom, to the smell of food cooking at restaurants, to lingering traces of a deer that ran by two hours ago.

There's something new to see everywhere.

Dogs are easily stimulated by visual cues. You've probably noticed this if your dog's ever gone manic at the sight of a squirrel or rabbit in the yard, or if he sounds off each day as soon as he spots the mail truck. On a car trip, there's no end to the things that can catch your dog's attention, from squirrels, to pedestrians, to other doggie passengers. Unlike their human travel companions, who are busy trying to get where they're going, dogs have the luxury of gazing out the window throughout the whole trip.

They're comforted by the close presence of their "pack.”

A car creates close quarters, and this makes dogs feel secure. They can see you, smell you, and be near you, while still getting all kinds of sensory stimulation they wouldn't at home. In a sense, you are a pack on an adventure together — just the way things would be in the wild. Except you're traveling in a familiar vehicle, with comfortable spaces your dog can curl up in if he gets tired of looking at the scenery. 

It triggers their hunting instinct.

Kevin Behan of Natural Dog Training believes that dogs love car rides because it puts them in the same state of euphoria that hunting does. The idea is that the motion of the car causes synchronized movements among the "pack members," as they sway along with the twists and turns of the road. These synchronized movements trigger a feeling in dogs similar that of moving in unison with a pack on the hunt. In addition, to your dog the objects outside the car appear to be moving quickly, which can trigger his instinct to give chase. 

Of course, it's important for dogs to be safe during car travel. Their heads and paws should stay inside the car at all times, and they should be properly secured for their safety and the safety of other passengers. This doesn't mean they will enjoy the ride any less, they can still see the sights, sniff the wind and feel the excitement of a new adventure. It just means you'll enjoy the ride even more knowing that they're both happy and safe.

A lot could happen to Wiscasset's shot at public access on Gardiner Pond. The land could be lost to another buyer or the town might decide it doesn't want it, Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department Director Todd Souza said.

But to even get that far, the town needs to see if it can snag grant money to help make the purchase. Selectmen on March 18 gave Wiscasset Parks and Recreation Department Director Todd Souza the go-ahead to apply for a grant from the Land For Maine's Future Board.

The selectmen's vote was unanimous. Residents' comments were mixed, however.

Anne Leslie described the pond area as beautiful, quiet and unlike anyplace else in town. “I always wished the town could have control of it,” she told selectmen.

But Wiscasset Budget Committee member Bill Barnes opposed spending money on the land buy when the town has pressing financial needs, including its breakaway from Regional School Unit 12.

“To get this town any more in debt ... is obscene,” Barnes said.

The state grant would require a dollar-for-dollar local match, Souza said. The Kennebec Estuary Land Trust is willing to be a partner in the project, pay half the match and take over ownership of the portion of the land that lies in Dresden, Souza said. Private donors and additional grants could be sought to help with Wiscasset’s end of the deal, he said after Tuesday’s  meeting.

The land could solely serve as public access to the pond or, if residents preferred, it could be the site of recreational programs that could make money for the town, Souza said.

The land for sale currently brings in about $3,600 a year in property taxes to Wiscasset, Souza said. The town’s values on the three local parcels total about $223,000, he said.

The Nesbitt family is asking for $999,999 for 360 acres, including 162 acres in Wiscasset and 198 in Dresden, according to Souza. He estimated the town might be able to get the land for $700,000, so he plans to ask the state for $350,000, he said.

“It's a real estate deal. They could sell tomorrow and this is for naught,” Souza told selectmen. But he, Interim Town Manager Don Gerrish and selectmen agreed it's an opportunity worth exploring.

Seeking the grant does not bind the town to take it, town officials said. The town should know in July if it has won funding. Other steps would follow, including a vote by residents and sale negotiations, officials said.

Since its recent inception in 2007, Hidden Valley Nature Center (HVNC) has been filling a much needed niche in the Midcoast region, combining outdoor recreation with innovative conservation efforts.

As its reputation continues to grow in and beyond the region, HVNC is fast approaching 500 members and an annual attendance of more than 5,000 visitors. Visitors head to HVNC for unique events like its amateur Liberal Cup Biathlon, or its hands-on intensives, like the four-day long classes in which students build a complete timber frame. Nature lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, scientists, kids and adults of all kinds have found a sense of community at HVNC.

Because of all that interest and enthusiasm, HVNC is undertaking a large fundraising effort in order to build two new buildings: a large multi-use structure (approximately 30 by 66-foot) and a smaller (20 by 20-foot) lakeside cabin on the shores of Little Dyer Pond. Each building will serve a unique function.

The large structure will be built on HVNC’s main “campus” near the current welcome center, HI-Hut. This large building will have a classroom on one end.

“A larger classroom space will be essential to our growth,” HVNC Director Andy McEvoy said. “Whether it is filled by adults, rented by community groups, or used to host schools, it is something we constantly wish we had right now.”

The rest of the building will be open on three sides, but covered with a roof. This space will be a big improvement for HVNC’s several annual timber frame construction classes, music events and large gatherings. The building will make use of both new and recycled materials.

The lakeside cabin will be built in a similar fashion to HVNC’s other buildings. It will be timber-framed using pine harvested as a part of HVNC’s sustainable forestry efforts. During the fall of 2013, volunteers tore down a decrepit camp and prepared a foundation for the new building.

During an upcoming timber frame construction workshop, students will prepare the frame for the camp and volunteers and staff will finish closing it in. The building will keep an open floor plan and will be available for meetings, yoga sessions and retreats, and will also be able to be rented for visitor overnights.

To find out more about HVNC’s new buildings, or to find out how you can support them visit www.hvnc.org, or write to info@hvnc.org.

HVNC in Jefferson is a nonprofit education and recreation center hosting many diverse opportunities to explore the outdoors. One thousand acres of diverse habitat, including a secluded great pond, are knit together by more than 25 miles of trails. HVNC is open to the public 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. For more information about HVNC’s events, or to find out how you can support HVNC visit www.hvnc.org, write to info@hvnc.org, or call 207-200-8840.

With spring (officially) sprung, tennis season is here.

The Wiscasset High School boys and girls varsity tennis squads will soon return to the court in search of Mountain Valley Conference supremacy.

The boys team will start things off Monday, April 28 down the peninsula when they face off against Boothbay Region High School on the Seahawks' home turf. The Wolverines will return home Wednesday April 30 for a match-up with Carrabec.

The Wolverines will take on Dirigo on the road on Friday, May 2 then return home on Monday, May 5 to play against Hall-Dale. Wiscasset will play Lisbon in Lisbon on Wednesday, May 7 before hosting Madison on Friday, May 9.

On Monday, May 12 Wiscasset will travel to Monmouth Academy then on Wednesday, May 14 return home to play against Mountain Valley. Friday, May 16 will have the Wolverines play against Mt. Abram then St. Dom's on May 20, both on the road before returning home on Wednesday May 21 to face-off against Spruce Mountain.

Wiscasset will close out the regular season with a home match with Boothbay on Tuesday, May 27.

The girls tennis team will team will start things off Monday, April 28 when Boothbay Region High School comes to town. The Wolverines will then play Wednesday April 30 in Carrabec against the Cobras.

Wiscasset will host Dirigo on Friday, May 2 then hit the road on Monday, May 5 to play against Hall-Dale. Wiscasset will play Lisbon at home on Wednesday, May 7 before playing against Madison on Friday, May 9.

On Monday, May 12 Wiscasset will host Monmouth Academy then on Wednesday, May 14 go on the road to play against Mountain Valley.

On Friday, May 16 the Wolverines will host Mt. Abram then travel May 19 to Oak Hill and Spruce Mountain on Wednesday, May 21. The Wolverines will also play St. Doms on Tuesday, May 20 at home.

All matches begin at 4 p.m. at the high school, 272 Gardiner Road.

The Southern Maine Special Olympics Basketball Tourney took place on the Gorham campus of the University of Southern Maine on Saturday, March 15.

The Boothbay Special Olympians, along with partners Lisa and Lynn Pawlowski and Sinead Miller, began the day at the skills competition. Athletes Kasey Graves, Matthew Hyson and Logan Posey typically play on the Unified Team, with the Boothbay team's other older athletes. The team was unable to make the Central Maine Tourney on March 12, where they would have played other, like abilities unified teams.

These three athletes Saturday entered the skills contest and came away winners, with Logan earning a silver, Matthew a fourth place and Kasey a bronze. Deshawn "the beast" Averill scored the highest in division 1 of the 11 and under category. Chloe Desjardins won the silver, Blake Smith the bronze, Vincent Giles a fourth, Bobby "O" Edwards a fifth and Grace Giles a sixth.

In division 2, Lucian Moreau won the gold and John, “the piper's son,” won the silver. It was a fantastic competition and the athletes faced some tough competition.

The masters division 3 did outstanding. The team was missing two of its starters, Donny Dunning and Joey Ranco, as they had to work and didn’t have enough time to plan the day off. The team played five games.

Game 1: Infinity Chasers defeated Boothbay Region 18-4. Adam Jackimovicz scored 4 points. The team had a hard time with getting their rhythm with two starters missing.

Game 2: Boothbay Region defeated Eagles Outreach 38-10. Scoring totals: Ronda LeConte 16, Thomas Wilcox 8, Adam Jackimovicz 8, Amber Hyson 2, Brenda LeConte 2, Matthew Farnham 2

Game 3: Boothbay Region defeated MVRA All Stars 11-3. Scoring totals: Brenda LeConte 7, Ronda LeConte 4

Game 4: In triple overtime, Boothbay Region defeated Infinity Chasers 20-18. Scoring totals: Adam Jackimovicz 8, Brenda LeConte 6, Ronda LeConte 4, Danny Miller 2.

Game 5: Family Matters defeated Boothbay Region 11-6. Ronda LeConte scored all of Boothbay's points.

Boothbay came away with the bronze. Thomas Wilcox was the playmaker, Adam Jackimovicz, Amber Hyson and Valerie Giles played under the boards, Ronda and Brenda LeConte played out front and Danny Miller and Matt Farnham were the versatile players playing both under the boards and center. They were very pleased and excited.

Congratulations to all athletes for excellent skills, teamwork and dedication to keep improving.

The Wiscasset High School track team will lace up to compete in the Mountain Valley Conference in a few short weeks.

Or, as soon as the snow melts off the track.

The team will host Boothbay Region and Lisbon high schools at 4:15 p.m., April 29 in the season-opening meet.

Boothbay will return to Wiscasset a week later, along with Hall-Dale and Monmouth for a 4:15 p.m. May 6 meet in Wiscasset.

The Wolverines will host Mountain Valley, St. Dom's and Lisbon at 4:15 p.m., May 13, then host Winthrop, Spruce Mountain, Mt. Abram and Dirigo at 4:15 p.m., May 20.

The Mountain Valley Conference meet will be May 29 at Cony with the state meet slated for June 7.

When the Wiscasset High School boys varsity basketball was matched up against the number-one seeded Dirigo Cougars, it faced a literal tall task.

While Dirigo would go on to win the February 17 match-up in Augusta, in the end it was the Wolverines who put on a show of grit and hustle.

For that, the Wolverines have been noticed.

The Wolverines were tied for second place during the tournament for the sportsmanship awards by the Maine Principals Association.

The Wolverines scored a 26.4 to tie with Hall-Dale High School and Waynflete Academy for second in Western Class C; Boothbay Region High School was first with a score of 27.3.

Wiscasset earned praise for not having any acts of unnecessary roughness or taunting opposing players. The Wolverines also scored high marks for how players interacted with their own teammates.

The teams were rated by how players treated their opponents, their teammates, coaches and officials, as well as how coaches treated officials.

More rain is on the way for all of Lincoln County late Monday night, April 7, through at least early afternoon on Tuesday, meteorologist Stacie Hanes of the National Weather Service’s Gray office said. A flood watch issued Sunday was set to end at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Mariners, take note: A gale warning will be in effect Tuesday, from 3 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hanes said. Winds on the water are expected at 20 to 30 knots, gusting to 40 knots.

On land, winds will be greatest at the coast and run 15 to 25 miles per hour, with gusts of about 30 miles per hour.

All of Lincoln County stands to get an inch or more of rain, with the heaviest rain likely to be Tuesday morning, Hanes said. Combined with continued snow melt and some ice still on rivers, there could be both river flooding and street flooding, Hanes said.

Things are about to get loud in Wiscasset.

The Wiscasset High School girls softball team looks to build on a successful season a year ago and make some serious noise in the Mountain Valley Conference.

First-year coach Glenn Powers inherits a team with a lot of firepower and coming off a playoff season.

With an even number of upper and lower classmen, the team will feature a blend of talent, Powers said.

“We'll be returning three seniors to the team this year,” he said. “This year is looking pretty good.”

In addition to the seniors, the team will have three standout juniors from a year ago to help the younger players along, Powers said.

“We should have a lot of experience (on the field),” he said. “We're pretty evenly split (between classes) and it looks like we definitely can make some noise.”

That noise will most likely be the pinging of Wiscasset's bats. With players like senior Brianna Goud, who last year clubbed two home runs and is aiming for five this season, the team should be able to mash with the rest of the Mountain Valley Conference, Powers said.

“Hitting is definitely going to be our strength,” he said. “It seems like everyone (on the team) can hit and hit for some power.”

With the offense meshing early, Powers said the team will focus on keeping the opponent off the board.

“We're going to be focusing more on defense,” he said. “Last year, they put up a lot of runs but they also gave up a lot of runs. You'd see a lot of 19-16 games.”

That plan includes developing more pitching, as Wiscasset only returns one pitcher from a year ago.

The Wiscasset Wolverines track and field team lost a lot: The team's 2013 roster featured talented seniors who have since departed.

No problem, said Coach Warren Cossette, who returns for his 22nd year.

“We're young; we graduated a lot of seniors from last year's team,” he said. “Every few years we have to revamp the team, and it looks like we've got some nice kids this year.”

Cossette said despite the losses the team will keep chugging along and should again be tough.

Last year, Wiscasset owned one of the stronger programs in the Mountain Valley Conference. This year, a strong crop of freshmen will need to step up and fill in if the Wolverines want to remain competitive, Cossette said.

“We do have a large team — 21 kids this year,” he said. “The next step is take these kids individually and develop their raw talent.”

Cossette said the program hasn't changed much: So long as athletes are willing to put in the work, the results will follow.

“I always say 'Stay with us, work hard and good things will happen,'” he said. “If they're willing to put in hard work, they can come a long way.”

Like any sport, the team changes as the players do. Last year's team was strong in the field events while this year's squad will likely have another talent, Cossette said.

“I expect we're going to be pretty good in the long-distance events,” he said. “Pretty much anything over 400 meters.”

Cossette said that with the return of senior Josh Delong, the team should also be strong again in the throwing events.

At this point, it's almost an embarrassment of riches for the Wiscasset High School boys varsity tennis team.

Whether in singles or doubles it makes no matter: The Wolverines are expected to be tough, Coach Brad Richardson said.

“We have a really good groups of guys this year,” he said. “A lot of really good players came back from last year.”

That includes Logan Grover, Nate Peaslee, Tom Anderson, Andrew Walton and Ridge Barnes, which gives Richardson and coach Ben Clark more than enough fire power to compete with the best in the Mountain Valley Conference.

But, that's not all.

“We have (freshmen) Ethan James and Kevin Lynch on the team,” Richardson said. “We should be strong and we're going to be developing some guys, too.”

It won't be just the boys’ side that Richardson expects to come along.

The girls’ squad has been improving consistently since last year, he said.

“They got better and better all last year,” Richardson said. “I think this year I'll see even more improvement. It should be fun.”

The team will battle with other tough squads, such as Dirigo, Mountain Valley and Boothbay Region High School, with returning players Hannah Welborn, Hanna Foye, Kennedy Orr, Alisyn Richardson and Sarah Hanley, who was slowed by injuries a year earlier, Richardson said.

Richardson added that the girls team will continue to work on skills to improve upon last year's handful of team and individual wins while the boys will strive to take top honors in their class.

“With the girls, because so many were new to it last year, we had to work on their skills and footwork,” he said. “With the boys team, it will be more about going over what to do in each situation.”