Spartans display a strong start to 2024

Boys Basketball

The boys varsity basketball team won their first game of 2024 against Bonny Eagle on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 69-58. Makai Bougie led the way with 27 points. Tanner McCann had 17 and Brady Adams had 11.

“It was a good win for us after a long break off from game action,” said Coach Jake Mills. “Offensively we played well, we shared the ball and made the right decisions at the right time.”

They fell 84-55 to an undefeated Gorham on Thursday, Jan. 4. Makai Bougie led Sanford with 12 points. Mills credits Scott Robitaille with a strong defensive game along with 10 points. “Scott brings great energy and toughness to our team.” Gorham had a hot shooting streak making an impressive 19 three-pointers in the game.

“This was a tough game against a really good team,” added Mills. “Gorham is as complete of a team that I have seen in my time coaching. They play well in all phases of the game. Some nights you just go up against a team that is playing well, and it happened to be one of those nights.”

The Spartans hope to bounce back at home against South Portland on Tuesday, Jan. 9. They travel to Scarborough on Friday, January 12th and host Lewiston on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, Jan. 15).

Girls Basketball

The varsity Spartans traveled Bonny Eagle on Tuesday, Jan. 2 for their first contest of 2024, defeating the Scots 64-36. Paige Sevigny had 12 points for Sanford. Annalise Stimmell added 11 points, including three 3-pointers, while Julissa McBarron added 10.

They won their second game of the week against Noble on Thursday, Jan. 4.  Zoey McCann and Paige Sevigny each scored 10 points.

This week, the Spartans travel to Greely on Tuesday, Jan. 9 and host Scarborough on Friday, Jan. 12.

Indoor Track

The Spartans competed against Deering, Massabesic, Scarborough, and Westbrook in a long meet at USM on Thursday, Jan. 4. Sanford boys took second in the meet while the girls placed fifth.

In the field, Craig Grant took first in the Sr. High Jump. Mason Van Gieson, Landon Gosling and Zachary Michienzi took second, third and fifth, respectively, in the Pole Vault. Logan Glidden, Ryhlen Avery, and Michael Cousineau took first, third and fourth, respectively, in the Sr.Long Jump. Avery and Michienzi took first and third, respectively, in the Sr. Triple Jump. Avi Baker scored second in the Jr. Shot Put, while Tucker Walker took second in the senior event. Lily Peters took first in the Jr. Long Jump.

On the track, Cole Adawadkar and Drew McGrath took third and fourth, respectively, in the Jr. 55 Meter Dash, while Rhylen Avery and Logan Glidden took first and third (respectively) in the senior division. McGrath edged out Adawadkar in the Jr. 200 to go second and third, respectively. Peters took second in the Jr. 400-meter dash.

The next meet is Wednesday, Jan. 10 at USM against Cheverus, Falmouth, Kennebunk and Westbrook.

Wrestling

The Spartans hosted the Sanford Wrestling Annual Tournament on Friday, Jan. 5 and Saturday, Jan. 6, where more than 20 schools across Maine and New England came to compete in one of the toughest wrestling tournaments of the year.

Sanford came in fourth out of 23 teams. Top finishers in their weight classes include:

• 1st Place: Canton Hill (215)
• 2nd Place: Christopher Chaplick (113)
• 3rd Place: James Chaplick (138)
• 3rd Place: Ricky Callis (165)
• 5th Place: Richie Simpson (175)

James Chaplick won the Ken Hover Most Outstanding Sanford Wrestler Award for beating his opponent from Bonny Eagle twice in the same tournament, once in overtime. This same opponent beat him in the State Semifinals last year in quadruple overtime.

“We had a great showing at our home tournament,” said Coach Nate Smith. “I am very proud of all of our wrestlers.” 

Up next, the Spartans face talented Massabesic and York teams at Massabesic on Wednesday, Jan. 10.