People have different reasons for “playing” sports, but it is safe to say that the pure essence of sports is to “play.” Webster’s Dictionary defines play as “engaging in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.” Play is at the very core of unified basketball, and it is the pure joy of playing that makes it so special for the participants and for the community that gathers to cheer the players on.

Despite the fact that Lincoln County does not have an ice arena, four local teenage athletes have thrived at ice hockey and play on successful Maine teams competing for some of the most coveted championships in their sport.

Stepping Stone Housing Inc. celebrated its 10 anniversary with the annual Serving to Prevent Homelessness Tournament, held at the CLC YMCA in Damariscotta on Saturday, March 9.

The next generation of the Medomak Valley versus Lincoln Academy rivalry is alive and kicking. Medomak surged in the fourth quarter to a 62-60 triumph over the Eagles in the first match of the Lincoln Academy 8th Grade Invitational on Tuesday, Feb. 27 in the Eagles nest. According to Lincoln Academy basketball guru Phil Page, the Tournament is a late winter sports tradition that is in its 44th year.

Lincoln Academy’s Nelson Bailey Gym was loud as the two teams exchanged leads and battled it out all the way to the final buzzer. Medomak led 18-17 after the first quarter and extended it to 37-30 at the half. That was the largest lead that either team would enjoy the rest of the game. The two young squads played at a frenetic, turnover-prone tempo for most of the game – perhaps nervous in the presence of eager fans and their future high school coaches.

Lincoln Academy grasped the momentum in the third quarter and rallied to a 51-49 lead heading into the final stanza. Down the stretch, the rivals exchanged the lead many times but it would remain within 4 points until Medomak surged behind clutch shooting in the back half of the fourth quarter to pull ahead 62-57 with 53 seconds remaining. The Eagles clawed their way back to 62-60 and had the ball in the closing seconds but the Medomak defense was able to close out the game. Brody Day led the Eagles with 13 points. Silas Ripley led Medomak with 18 points.

The Oceanside boys basketball team jumped out to a 20-8 first quarter lead and 44-20 halftime advantage. The Eagles played the Mariners even in the second frame but were unable to undue the first half damage, losing 73-48 in the South Class B Regional championship game on Friday, Feb. 23 at the Portland Expo. Cohen and Carter Galley lit up the nets to score 32 of Oceanside’s 44 first half points. While the Mariners were hot inside and out, the Eagles struggled from the floor. Lincoln was led by senior Casey Duncan with 17 points, and Gabe Hagar 13. Oceanside was led by Carter Galley with 35 and Cohen Galley 13.

The Lincoln Academy JV boys basketball team wrapped up its season on Saturday, Feb 10, emerging victorious over Oceanside 68-50 to end the season with a 17-0 record.

The Wiscasset boys basketball team was defeated 76-36 by Valley High School in the Class D South semifinal on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the Augusta Civic Center. The Wolverines finished this year’s campaign with a 10-10 record after not winning a game last season.

The five seed in Class D South, Wiscasset got off to a good start and trailed the top seed Cavaliers (16-4) by just two points, 15-13, at the end of the first quarter. Valley’s offense exploded out of the break with an 11-0 run, and their lead steadily increased to 38-19 at the half. The Cavaliers outscored Wiscasset 20-10 in the third quarter to put the game away. Landin Shorey led the Wolverines with 16 points and Jevar Garricks chipped in 10.  Harry Lewis scored 27 points and dished out 10 assists to lead the way for Valley.

The top seed and undefeated Oceanside boys basketball team beat fourth seed Medomak Valley 46-32 in a South Class B semi-final game on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Portland Expo. With the win, Oceanside advances to the Regional championship game against Lincoln Academy. The South B Regional finals will be held Friday, Feb. 23 at 3:45 p.m. at the Portland Expo.

Medomak Valley had plenty of good looks and good shots, but struggled to find the cylinder.

The Panthers were led on offense by Gabe Lash with 13 and Kory Donlin 6. Oceanside was led by Cohen Galley with 17 and Trevin Ripley 11.

The second seed Medomak Valley girls fell behind 13-4 in the first quarter and could never overcome the deficit as they lost 40-34 to third seed Spruce Mountain in the Class B South semifinal on Tuesday, Feb. 20 at the Portland Expo. The Phoenix’ defensive scheme targeted Panthers leading scorer Kytana Williamson and held her to just 2 free throws in the first half as they built a 24-12 lead.

The Panthers clawed their way back in the fourth quarter to trail just 35-32 with two minutes remaining. The desperate Panthers were forced to foul the Phoenix, who made five free throws to extend the lead enough to stall out the clock and end the Panthers’ season. Sara Nelson led the Panthers with 11 points. The Phoenix were led by Jasmine Pingree who scored 11 points, including 3 clutch free throws in the closing minutes.