Articles by haley jones
Thornton Academy takes down Noble in rainy regular season finale
Thornton Academy’s Connor Ayoob gains yards against Noble in a regular-season finale Thursday. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) View 20 photos SACO — The rain and wind couldn’t stop Thornton Academy senior Connor Ayoob from adding another three touchdowns to his season total as the Golden Trojans wrapped up the regular season with a 27-14 win over Noble on Thursday.
Lewiston football welcomes several new Mainers to the program
Lewiston football players, from left, Everton Silva, Musharraf Abdi, Hamza Mohamed, Albano Mortagua, Yusuf Adbirahaman, Isheja Manzi Yvan and Josue Luis either immigrated to the United States or are children of immigrants. (Libby Kamrowski Kenny/Staff Photographer) View 15 photos Albano Mortagua never dreamed of playing American football before moving to Lewiston from Angola three years ago. But he had watched NFL games in Angola, and that inspired him to try playing for Lewiston High School.
Maranacook girls soccer dominates Winthrop in C South quarterfinal
READFIELD — Hadley Farwell put on a show with front handspring throw-ins and Caroline Harper scored three straight goals to lift top-seeded Maranacook to a 6-0 win over eighth-seeded Winthrop in a Class C South girls soccer quarterfinal on Tuesday. “We were really sharp today. I think this was one of our best games of the year,” Maranacook coach Travis Magnusson said. “We’re peaking at the right time, and they’ve had such a great career, when they get to this moment, they step it up even more.
Freeport football surges past Dirigo in second half Original
FREEPORT — After Freeport quarterback Andrew Thomas threw an interception late in the first half, he knew the second half had to look different for the Falcons. “Coach came over to me with the iPad, showed me what I did wrong,” Thomas said after Freeport’s 35-13 win over Dirigo. “I made the wrong read, but he was there. Everyone was there to support me. This is a great team, everyone just tried to lift me up.
Monmouth boys soccer conquers Winthrop at home
MONMOUTH — The Monmouth Academy boys soccer team has only lost to Winthrop once in the past 15 years. But the Mustangs’ victories over their rival are usually more competitive than Wednesday’s 8-0 result. Monmouth just played really, really well on its way to a mercy-rule victory. “They’re a good team. I think they’re better than that,” Monmouth coach Joe Fletcher said of Winthrop. “We played really well today, maybe one of our more complete games.
Scarborough volleyball beats Thornton to stay atop Class A
SCARBOROUGH — Thursday’s Class A matchup between Thornton Academy and Scarborough was the five set nail-biter the Red Storm wanted on their Senior Night. Winning by two points in the fifth set was a cherry on top. To beat the Golden Trojans, Scarborough had to bounce back from two deficits before prevailing 23-25, 25-17, 15-25, 25-15, 15-13. Thornton (8-3) and Scarborough (9-1) are tied for third place in the Varsity Maine volleyball poll.
Spruce Mountain field hockey’s strong start fuels win over Winthrop
WINTHROP — Spruce Mountain to beat Winthrop for the second time this season, scoring two first-half goals to earn a 2-1 victory in a Class C South field hockey showdown Wednesday. Ava Davis set up sophomore Alaina Kachnovich for the Phoenix’s first goal, on a penalty corner, in the first quarter. Another sophomore, Aisla Armandi, found the back of the cage for Spruce Mountain’s second goal with 3:43 remaining in the second quarter.
Listen to Lewiston field hockey's Madeline Andrews mic'd up before game
Varsity Maine mic’d up Lewiston junior Maddie Andrews prior to the Blue Devils’ field hockey matchup with Skowhegan on Monday. ‘Oh, my gosh’ it’s good. Lewiston and the River Hawks, who are ranked No. 1 in the Varsity Maine poll, finished the contest tied 2-2. Video by Haley Jones of the Sun Journal.
This Lewiston High senior can’t hear, but her life could soon change
For 17 years, Madilyn Moreau has only known silence. The Lewiston Highsenior was diagnosed at birth with microtia, a rare condition in which one or both ears are underdeveloped; in her case, both. “You’re born without ear drums, or basically the anatomy of an ear; you just don’t have it whatsoever,” Moreau said.
Edward Little volleyball rolls to win over Brunswick
BRUNSWICK — Edward Little continued its undefeated start to the volleyball season by beating Brunswick 3-0 on Thursday evening. The Red Eddies (3-0) won by scores of 25-11, 25-13 and 25-2. Brunswick falls to 0-3. Edward Little was led by Elizabeth Galway, Maija Bolduc and Sarah Ebersole at the serve line. In the third set, Bolduc had a 12-point serving streak and Galway had an eight-point streak.
What’s a libero? Overlooked position critical to Maine volleyball teams’ success
Gorham senior Addy Simcock sets the ball during a volleyball practice. (Derek Davis/Staff Photographer) It’s easy to notice the big hitters hammering the ball to the floor to earn a point after a long rally in volleyball. “I feel like when spectators watch volleyball, they’re not like, ‘oh, great pass,’ it’s always, ‘great kill,’” Gorham senior Abby Simcock acknowledged. But inside the game, say players and coaches across Maine, a team’s success often hinges on strong play from the libero.
Meet the 8 central Maine volleyball players to watch in 2025
Leah Adams, Messalonskee sophomore middle blocker: Adams had 123 blocks and 72 kills last season. She’ll be counted on to knock down hits from opponents. Ashlyn Bowie, Nokomis senior setter/opposite hitter: As a junior, Bowie recorded 95 kills, 46 aces, 69 digs and 65 assists. She’ll be counted on this fall to set up her teammates and make shots of her own. Kaitlyn Davidson, Gardiner sophomore outside hitter: Davidson moves from middle to outside hitter this season.
Here’s a look at the central Maine volleyball teams in 2025
Cony: The Rams return a senior-heavy roster after earning the No. 4 seed in last year’s Class B playoffs. Coach Lindsey Morin said she’s relying on the team’s three captains — libero Hannah Kidd, outside hitter Rhya Turner and setter Ellie Gould — to lead Cony back to the postseason and hopefully a deeper playoff run.
Meet the 5 southern Maine volleyball teams to watch in 2025
Biddeford’s Beks Hatch sails through the air after sending the ball back over the net during the 2024 Class A final last November. (Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer) 1. Gorham: The Rams have won two straight Class A titles and only graduated three players from last year’s championship squad. Among the returners is junior Liana Edwards, who last year was named Gatorade and Varsity Maine Player of the Year.
Meet 10 southern Maine volleyball players to watch in 2025
Yarmouth’s Grace Keaney sends the ball over to Gardiner during the 2022 Class B state final. (Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer) Maeve Donovan, Biddeford senior outside hitter: Donovan finished her junior season with 189 kills, an average of 3.3 per set that ranked as one of the highest in the state. She also tallied 61 aces (1.1 aces per set), completed 82.5% of her serves and had 161 digs — averaging 2.8 per set and 10.1 per match. She earned first-team all-SMAA honors.
Here are 5 intriguing southern Maine volleyball matches this fall
Gorham’s Liana Edwards hits the ball between Biddeford’s Maeve Donovan, left, and Carolina Zombo during the Class A state final on Nov. 2, 2024. Edwards, Donovan and Zombo are back this season, and their teams meet Sept. 18 and Oct 2. (Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer) Biddeford at Gorham, Sept. 18: This is the first of two regular-season rematches of last year’s Class A final.
Gardiner football remembers the late John Wolfgram and Brad Carleton Original
Former Gardiner players and coaches pose near the entrance of Hoch Field on Friday night. (Haley Jones/Staff Photographer) The Gardiner football team opened its season with a convincing 31-0 victory over Oceanside, but the game ultimately was a footnote Friday night. Members of the tight-knit Gardiner football community turned out in force to honor two late legends of the program – John Wolfgram and Brad Carleton.
Teen’s death leaves ‘a huge hole’ for Sanford High and its football team
Editor’s note: This story contains mentions of suicide and suicidal thoughts. Jony Hunter spent a spring night on Wells Beach with one of his closest friends and teammates, listening to music, eating doughnuts. The next night, the texts started to come in to friends and family. “I love you so much, I’m so sorry, I promise this is for the best,” he told his mother. As teenagers sometimes do, Hunter’s friends tracked his phone to the Piscataqua River Bridge that connects Maine to New Hampshire.
Girls Soccer - Portland Press Herald
But it isn’t all chill and grill: athletes and coaches share some of the ways they’ve used the past couple weeks to prepare for the fall season.
Hands-off period means more beach, less teach for Maine’s high school athletes Original
For the final two weeks of summer vacation, Maine’s high school athletes seek a balance of work hard, relax harder. Aug. 3-17 is the Maine Principals’ Association’s designated “hands-off” period, during which no formal practices or communication with coaches can take place. Here’s some of the ways athletes and coaches from different sports have approached their free time: FOOTBALL Dirigo’s and Lewiston’s first-string quarterbacks are both juniors.
Walter Polky eager to lead Lisbon football’s redemption
Lisbon High School’s new football coach, Walter Polky, stands by the snack shack at the school’s football field on Monday. (Russ Dillingham/Staff Photographer) Entering a program at its tipping point has become Walter Polky’s bread and butter. That’s why he says he’s more than ready to take on the challenge of being Lisbon’s new head football coach and repairing the Greyhounds’ culture and reputation after hazing allegations shuttered the program last fall. “These are situations I want to be in.
Lisbon High hires Walter Polky as head football coach
Walter Polky is the next head football coach at Lisbon High. (Andy Molloy/Staff Photographer) Andy Molloy/Kennebec Journal Walter Polky is the new Lisbon High head football coach. “We just thought with his experience and his background, that he could come in and earn the respect and the trust of the students and and make some positive changes,” Lisbon athletic director Chris Spaulding said. Polky is tasked with turning around a program whose 2024 season was derailed by hazing allegations.
Girls skiing: 2025 Varsity Maine All-State team
ALPINE Phoebe Bell, Maranacook junior: Bell placed second in slalom at the Class B championships and won the Mountain Valley Conference giant slalom race. She qualified for the Maine State Alpine Ski team. Lily Boulanger, Mountain Valley junior: Boulanger finished in the top three in both slalom and giant slalom at the Class B state meet and was second in GS at the Mountain Valley Conference championships.
Boys skiing: 2025 Varsity Maine All-State team
Alpine Ian Christie, Falmouth junior: Christie won his second consecutive Class A slalom title and was only two seconds shy of winning the giant slalom. His consistent top finishes contributed to the team’s success throughout the season and helped Falmouth claim the Class A Alpine title. Cooper Dodge, York junior: Dodge won the Class B and Western Maine Conference slalom titles. The first-time Varsity Maine All-State selection also took third in giant slalom at the conference championships.
Maine’s lacrosse goalies get head start on refining challenging position Original
Willow Woodford struggles to imagine what it would be like had the 2025 Maine high school lacrosse season started like those of years gone by. Woodford is a newcomer to the sport and this week is getting her first reps as a goaltender for the Maranacook/Winthrop girls team. In the past, the Black Bears and many other teams have had play days scheduled at the end of the first week of preseason, putting goalies in the line of fire of 60- to 70-mph shots immediately.
UMaine-Augusta women’s basketball falls in USCAA tournament opener Original
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The University of Maine at Augusta women’s basketball team started and finished strong in its United States Collegiate Athletic Association tournament opener on Wednesday afternoon. But struggles in the second and third quarters ultimately resulted in an 82-67 loss to Johnson & Wales (North Carolina) in a second-round game. The Moose (26-4) will wrap up their season at 3:15 p.m. Thursday when they play in a consolation game against Penn State Beaver (20-9).
Saturday's Maine Class B boys hockey championship highlights
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/08/maine-class-b-boys-hockey-state-championship-highlights Maine Class B boys hockey state championship highlights Big plays from Cheverus/Yarmouth's win over the John Bapst co-op Saturday at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Posted 1:35 PM Updated 2 minutes ago 1 min read Font size + Gift article You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. Article link sent! An error has occurred.
Saturday’s Class D girls basketball state championship reel
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/03/01/saturdays-class-d-girls-basketball-state-championship-reel Saturday’s Class D girls basketball state championship reel Top plays from Valley's victory over Central Aroostook. 1 min read Font size + Gift article You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. Article link sent! An error has occurred. Please try again. With a Press Herald subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month.
Friday’s Class A girls basketball state championship reel
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/28/fridays-class-a-girls-basketball-state-championship-reel Friday’s Class A girls basketball state championship reel Top plays from Mt. Ararat's win over Hampden Academy at the Augusta Civic Center. Posted 10:37 PM Updated 49 seconds ago 1 min read Font size + Gift article You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. Article link sent! An error has occurred. Please try again.
A look at the Class D Maine basketball state final matchups
CLASS D GIRLS WHO: Valley (21-0) vs.
Saturday’s C North basketball tournament highlight reel
VIDEO The top seeds prevailed in Bangor on Saturday. The Mattanawcook Academy defeated Madawaska by 10 points in the boys Class C North regional, and the Penobscot Valley girls beat Mattanawcook to advance to the Class C championship game. Copy the Story Link
Saturday’s AA South basketball tournament highlight reel
Top plays from the girls and boys regional finals at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. 1 min read You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. Email address Article link sent! An error has occurred. Please try again. With a Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel subscription, you can gift 5 articles each month. It looks like you do not have any active subscriptions. To get one, go to the subscriptions page.
Saturday’s AA North basketball tournament highlight reel
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/22/saturdays-aa-north-basketball-tournament-highlight-reel Saturday’s AA North basketball tournament highlight reel Top plays from the girls and boys regional finals at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Posted 9:55 PM Updated 45 seconds ago 1 min read Font size + Gift article You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. Article link sent! An error has occurred. Please try again.
Saturday’s D South basketball tournament highlight reel
VIDEO In the Class D South finals Saturday, the Valley girls and St. Dom’s boys won their respective regional titles to advance to next week’s state championships. Copy the Story Link
Thursday’s Portland basketball tournament highlight reel
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/20/thursdays-portland-basketball-tournament-highlight-reel Thursday’s Portland basketball tournament highlight reel Big plays from the boys Class AA North and South semifinals at the Portland Cross Insurance Arena. Posted 11:56 PM Updated 34 seconds ago 1 min read Font size + Gift article You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. Article link sent! An error has occurred.
Thursday’s Augusta basketball tournament highlight reel
Top plays from the boys and girls C South and D South semifinals at the Augusta Civic Center.
Thursday’s Bangor basketball tournament highlight reel
Class C and Class D semifinal games took place in Bangor on Thursday. The top-seeded Schenck boys defeated fourth-seeded Bangor Christian and second-seeded Katahdin boys beat third seeded Central Aroostook in D North semifinals. The Mattanawacook girls rallied past Dexter and Penobscot Valley rolled over Calais to set up a C North final showdown, and in C North boys, Madawska downed Calais and Mattanawcook beat Fort Kent.
Saturday’s Portland basketball tournament highlight reel
https://www.pressherald.com/2025/02/15/saturdays-portland-basketball-tournament-highlight-reel Saturday’s Portland basketball tournament highlight reel Top plays from second day of the basketball tourney at the Portland Expo. Posted 11:03 PM Updated 2 minutes ago 1 min read Font size + Gift article You are able to gift 5 more articles this month. Anyone can access the link you share with no account required. Learn more. Article link sent! An error has occurred. Please try again.
Forming a swimming relay team can take some time, strategy
Cony's Miguel Aguirre swims the freestyle during practice on Wednesday in Augusta. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel In high school swimming, a relay race is worth double the points compared to an individual race at meets. That’s why coaches work all season to craft the perfect combination of swimmers in a relay team. There are three relays in Maine high school swimming: the 200-meter freestyle, 400-meter freestyle and 200-meter individual medley (IM). Relay teams are comprised of four swimmers.
Girls basketball notebook: Teams find successes beyond the scoreboard Original
With the regular season ending later this week, teams and coaches are reflecting on their successes — including those that go beyond the scoreboard. Lawrence (16-0), the top-ranked team in the Varsity Maine poll, is one of the three undefeated girls basketball teams in the state, with Penobscot Valley (16-0) and Valley (15-0). Transition basketball has been a major part of the Bulldogs’ success.
Darren Allen chosen as new Spruce Mountain soccer coach
When Darren Allen left his teaching and soccer coaching career behind in Mt. Abram last year, he wasn’t sure if he’d find his way onto the pitch again. But just six months into his special education teaching role at Spruce Mountain High School, Allen was named the school’s boys soccer head coach on Jan. 10. He replaces former coach Adam Gettle, who resigned his role to prioritize raising his young children, according to Phoenix athletic director Marc Keller. Allen said the open role was unexpected.
Lewiston Army veteran wins tickets to Super Bowl, meets Drake Maye
As a Lewiston native, being a New England Patriots fan comes with the territory for U.S. Army Veteran Matt Jabaut. So meeting Patriots quarterback Drake Maye this week was a surreal experience. Jabaut was in Portland for an interview with the American Legion at Post 17 on Jan. 8 when he was surprised by Maye, who recently competed his rookie season with the Patriots. Maye presented Jabaut with two tickets to this year’s Super Bowl, which will take place on Feb. 9 in New Orleans.
Hearts of Pine’s Khalid Hersi captures family’s dream of playing professional soccer
A long-awaited knock by Hearts of Pine coach Bobby Murphy changed Khalid Hersi’s life. “It was a pretty tough day, because I just had a feeling,” Hersi said. “I knew I played good at the tryout, so I was waiting. It was pretty stressful just waiting for him to come through the door.
Edward Little girls basketball continues offensive, winning
AUBURN — That a program record for shooting was broken in Tuesday’s game suits the Edward Little girls basketball team’s recent run of success well. Rachel Penny became the Red Eddies’ career 3-point leader, and the offense continued to be the catalyst as Edward Little earned its fourth straight victory, 54-40 over Thornton Academy.
Boys basketball: Spruce Mountain holds off Monmouth to keep undefeated streak alive
MONMOUTH — Austin Armandi’s four 3-pointers off the bench coupled with Jace Bessey’s game-high 21 points kept Spruce Mountain undefeated heading into 2025 with a 60-49 victory against Monmouth Academy in a Mountain Valley Conference boys basketball game Tuesday. “I just felt like if I was open, I was going to shoot it,” Armandi said.
Basketball notebook: Depth helps Lincoln Academy boys contend
Girls basketball notebook: Addition of KVAC schools to SMAA for basketball makes scheduling easier
Class AA basketball teams have a different schedule this season with the addition of four KVAC schools — Bangor, Edward Little, Lewiston and Oxford Hills — to the SMAA as associate teams, for basketball only. Edward Little athletic director Todd Sampson said the change adds unfamiliar regular-season opponents to the schedule. “We have a really similar type of schedule …” Sampson said. “But we’ve got some newer opponents; we’re going to play Westbrook, we’re going to play Gray-New Gloucester.
Boys soccer: Hall-Dale unseats Mt. Abram as C South champion
AUBURN — Hall-Dale earned the second regional title in program history with a 2-1 victory over reigning Class C state champion Mt. Abram in the Class C South title game Wednesday at Edward Little High School. The Bulldogs (15-2) will face C North champion Washington Academy in Saturday’s state championship game at Cameron Stadium in Bangor on Saturday at 10 a.m. “Feels like a long time coming,” Hall-Dale coach Jesse Rowe said.
Girls soccer: Buckfield ousts Monmouth in D South title game
WINTHROP — Brittany Carrier’s three goals led top-seeded Buckfield to a 4-0 win over No. 3 Monmouth Academy in the Class D South girls soccer championship game Tuesday at Winthrop Grade School. The Bucks (14-1), who scored twice on penalty kicks, will face D North champion Penobscot Valley in Saturday’s state final. “It’s surreal being here, being on such a beautiful field,” Bucks coach Annette Caldwell said.
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