Maine news, sports, weather from Waterville Morning Sentinel

9:38 PM

Mt. Blue holds on for win at Lawrence

8:36 PM

Why the Patriots will win

Rarely is Bill Belichick outcoached. Tom Brady almost never gets outplayed. That's why the New England Patriots will beat the New York Giants, 31-24.

2:12 PM

Belichick brushes aside thoughts of retirement

Coaching "beats working," says Bill Belichick, who turns 60 on April 16. The long-time Patriots coach will seek his fourth Super Bowl victory in 11 years on Sunday.

1:00 AM

Cooper's 17 lift Rams to victory

AUGUSTA -- Walker Cooper scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Cony High School boys basketball team past Mt. Ararat 63-49 in an Eastern A game Thursday night.

1:00 AM

SUPER BOWL: Coughlin hasn't changed beliefs

INDIANAPOLIS — It’s not like Tom Coughlin is delivering cookies and warm milk to the players at curfew this week. Or patting them on the back and offering words of encouragement when they make a mistake at practice.

1:00 AM

NHL: Hurricanes sweep Bruins

1:00 AM

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Wood sparks Bulldogs to victory

MADISON -- Kirsten Wood scored 13 points to lead the Madison past Wiscasset 54-29 in a Mountain Valley Conference girls basketball game Thursdya.

1:00 AM

SUPER BOWL: Mayo 'sets the pace'

INDIANAPOLIS -- Big things have been expected of linebacker Jerod Mayo since the New England Patriots drafted him out of Tennessee with the 10th pick of the 2008 NFL draft.

1:00 AM

MAINE HOCKEY: Anthoine finally feels at home

ORONO -- Near the end of his third season in the U.S. Hockey League for junior players, Mark Anthoine learned that he was traded, from his Chicago Steel team to Sioux Falls, S.D.

1:00 AM

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Tigers passing their goals

Before the start of the season, when he realized he'd start three freshmen, Forest Hills boys basketball coach Anthony Amero kept his team's goals small. Let's go .500, he said, and make it to the Western Class D tournament at the Augusta Civic Center for the 12th straight year.

Yesterday at 6:32 PM

'Tebowmania' comes to Super Bowl

Someday, Tim Tebow hopes to be playing in the Super Bowl rather than just visiting.

Yesterday at 5:57 PM

For Patriots' Ellis, Super Bowl caps tumultuous year

Patriots defensive end Shaun Ellis holds thoughts of a slain friend close to his heart as he prepares to take the field Sunday.

Yesterday at 2:48 PM

Sebago ice-fishing derby canceled for lack of ice

The big prize of $100,000 for anyone who breaks the 54-year-old state record for togue now applies to all lakes around Maine on March 3 and 4.

9:00 AM

SLIDE SHOW: Patriots, fans prep for Sunday

Yesterday at 1:02 AM

NBA: Celtics rout Raptors

BOSTON (AP) — The compact schedule of the post-lockout NBA doesn't offer many breaks, so the Boston Celtics created one of their own.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL: Windjammers stop Panthers

WATERVILLE -- The Waterville girls had an effective plan against Camden Hills star Jordan Knowlton on Wednesday night. It was so effective that Knowlton missed seven of her eight shots in the first half and scored only four points.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Lawrence continues to make progress

Lawrence, which went winless last winter, is 2-13 this season in Eastern A girls basketball. But during the last three games, the Bulldogs picked up a win and scared two playoff-bound teams.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP: Eagles top Raiders

WINSLOW -- James Varney had three goals and two assists to lead the Messalonskee High School hockey team past Winslow 12-0 in an Eastern B game Wednesday night.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

PATRIOTS BEAT: Giants tough to simulate

INDIANAPOLIS -- The New York Giants' defensive line is relentless.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

SUPER BOWL: They love their Giants

New York Giants fans are not so much coming out of the woodwork these days; they've been there all along, waiting patiently for another shot at the Lombardi Trophy.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

NATIONAL SIGNING DAY: Field hockey players heading to DI schools

Several field hockey players signed Letters of Intent to play for a Division I school Wednesday, the first day athletes could sign to play at an NCAA college or university. A pair of Madison Area Memorial High School athletes are headed to DI schools as well.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Wells senior signs with Black Bears

Josh Ingalls already had a inkling that he would accept a football scholarship to the University of Maine.

Yesterday at 10:56 AM

AP: Giants will win Super Bowl

The Associated Press predicts that the New York Giants will beat the New England Patriots 33-30 in overtime to win their second Super Bowl in five years.

Yesterday at 12:00 AM

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: Winslow coach resigns

WINSLOW -- Winslow High School baseball coach Kyle Gunzinger has resigned after one year in the Black Raiders' dugout.

February 1

Nokomis rallies to remain unbeaten

WINSLOW -- Nokomis remained undefeated by erasing a five-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter and outscoring Winslow by 11 in overtime, for a 56-45 victory in Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B girls basketball action Tuesday night.

February 1

COLLEGE MEN'S HOCKEY: Fabian, DelGiudice lose at 'home'

WATERVILLE -- University of New England forwards Ted Fabian and Matt DelGiudice returned "home" Tuesday to play a non-conference men's hockey game against Colby.

February 1

COLLEGE ROUNDUP: UMF finally beats MMA

CASTINE -- The University of Maine at Farmington finally wrapped up a victory over Maine Maritime Academy, after three weeks and a second meeting between the two teams, on Tuesday night.

February 1

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: Cougars top Rams in OT

BANGOR -- With seven and a half seconds left in overtime, Mt. Blue boys basketball coach Jim Bessey called timeout, and kept his instructions simple.

February 1

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Nokomis rallies to remain unbeaten

WINSLOW — Nokomis remained undefeated by erasing a five-point deficit at the start of the fourth quarter and outscoring Winslow by 11 in overtime, for a 56-45 victory in Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B girls basketball action Tuesday night.

February 1

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Pearl helps Nokomis to victory

WINSLOW -- Ethan Pearl led three scorers in double figures as the Nokomis boys basketball team beat Winslow 64-58 in a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B game Tuesday.

February 1

HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING NOTEBOOK: 'Jammers favored to defend KVAC title

Defending champion Camden Hills is the favorite again this year at the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference wrestling championships, which will take place Saturday at Cony High School.

February 1

NHL: Seidenberg's long goal lifts Bruins

BOSTON (AP) — Dennis Seidenberg scored the tiebreaking goal on a slap shot from center ice in the third period, rallying the Boston Bruins to a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

February 1

NBA: Celtics survive Cavaliers' rally

CLEVELAND (AP) — Paul Pierce scored 20 points, Ray Allen had 12 in the third quarter and the Boston Celtics avenged a disappointing loss to Cleveland two days earlier by barely holding off the Cavaliers 93-90 on Tuesday night.

January 31

Tuesday night's local sports scores

February 1

PATRIOTS BEAT: Patriots' Cannon, Giants' Herzlich share survival

INDIANPOLIS -- Marcus Cannon, the rookie offensive lineman of the New England Patriots, stood on the turfed floor of Lucas Oil Stadium, taking in all the sights and sounds of Media Day on Tuesday morning as members of the media came to him.

February 1

SUPER BOWL: Gronkowski sheds walking boot

INDIANAPOLIS -- The boot is off and Rob Gronkowski's ankle is feeling much better.

February 1

SUPER BOWL: Media Day has little bit of everything

INDIANAPOLIS -- Katie Daryl, host of the HDNET entertainment show "Deadline!," put a camera on the top of a giant red and blue foam finger and raised her arm as she walked through the throng of media and players at Media Day Tuesday.

January 31

Gronkowski says he's day-to-day

'The game is six days away. I can be 100 percent by then or I can be 2 percent by then."

January 31

Erskine gets hot in 4th and wins

SOUTH CHINA -- Erskine Academy scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from Mt. Ararat and earn a 57-46 Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A boys basketball victory Monday.

January 31

HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NOTEBOOK: Winslow girls in the hunt

It's been an up and down season for the Winslow High School girls hockey team, which is skating several newcomers after returning just seven players.

January 31

PATRIOTS BEAT: Interchangeable parts

INDIANAPOLIS -- Dan Connolly stepped in for Matt Light on Monday.

January 31

SUPER BOWL NOTEBOOK: Cruz remembers time in Bridgton fondly

INDIANAPOLIS -- Before Victor Cruz became the breakout player of the year in the NFL, before Cruz regained his football edge at the University of Massachusetts, there was Bridgton Academy

January 31

LOCAL ROUNDUP: Erskine gets hot in 4th and gets win

SOUTH CHINA — Erskine Academy scored 18 points in the fourth quarter to pull away from Mt. Ararat and earn a 57-46 Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A boys basketball victory Monday.

January 30

BOYS HOCKEY: MHW rallies for victory

KENTS HILL — Jason LaPorte scored two goals in the final four minutes of the third period — his first goals of the season — and the Maranacook/Hall-Dale/Winthrop co-operative hockey team edged Gray-New Gloucester/Poland 4-3 on Monday at Bonnefond Ice Arena.

January 31

COMMENTARY — ON TENNIS: Greatest athlete right now?

PARIS -- What a horrific dilemma this could be. The men's 100-meter sprint final and men's tennis final fall on the same day, Aug. 5, at the London Olympics. If forced, which would you miss: Usain Bolt possibly becoming the first man since Carl Lewis to win the 100 at consecutive games or Novak Djokovic perhaps putting a golden sheen on what promises to be another astounding year?

January 31

UMAINE BEAT: Sweeps of BC, BU lift Maine hockey back into national picture

The University of Maine hockey team is forcing its way back into the national picture.

January 30

Indy readies state-of-the-art security for Super Bowl

Though the city has ample experience hosting large sporting events – the Indianapolis 500 attracts more than 200,000 fans each year – the city's first Super Bowl poses some unique challenges.

January 30

NBA: Big run sinks Celtics

BOSTON (AP) — Kyrie Irving scored 23 points, sinking a layup with 2.6 seconds left as the Cleveland Cavaliers scored the last 12 points of the game to beat the Boston Celtics 88-87 on Sunday night.

January 30

HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING NOTEBOOK: Depth helping Raiders improve

The Winslow boys swimming team thought it would be fairly strong this winter, thanks to nice nucleus of returners. But two newcomers with limited swimming experience have stepped in and given the Black Raiders more depth than expected.

January 30

SUPER BOWL: Fun-loving Gronkowski all business on field for Pats

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The sign outside the restaurant a mile up the road from where Rob Gronkowski scores touchdowns has a flashing suggestion for motorists: "HONK FOR GRONK!"

January 30

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Libby, Mars named top linemen in state

AUGUSTA -- While the Frank J. Gaziano Award ceremony was held to honor the top high school offensive and defensive linemen in the state, Sunday's brunch at the Augusta Civic Center became a love letter to line play in general.

January 30

HIGH SCHOOL SKIING NOTEBOOK: Mt. Abram's James' hard work paying off

Mt. Abram junior Sadie James has worked extremely hard to become the best Nordic skier she can be. James opted not to play soccer in the fall so she could concentrate on her conditioning for the winter season.

January 30

NHL ALL-STAR GAME: Gaborik's hat trick lifts Team Chara to win

OTTAWA (AP) -- Marian Gaborik made New York Rangers teammate Henrik Lundqvist pay for not selecting him to play for Daniel Alfredsson's team in the NHL All-Star game.

January 30

AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Djokovic wins marathon final

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Novak Djokovic ripped off his shirt and let out a primal scream, flexing his torso the way a prize fighter would after a desperate, last-round knockout.

January 29

Former Maine player in NFL Pro Bowl game

Former University of Maine football star Montell Owens has been added to the AFC roster for the NFL Pro Bowl.

January 29

HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADING: A change for the better for Madison

AUGUSTA -- The Madison cheerleading team tweaked its routine, adding a bit more difficulty, and came to the Augusta Civic Center with one goal in mind.

January 29

COLLEGE HOCKEY: Black Bears complete sweep of Terriers

BOSTON — The final three weekends were going to be make-or-break games for the University of Maine hockey team as it faced the top three Hockey East teams

January 29

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL: Polar Bears pull away late to top Mules

BRUNSWICK — A big late-season rivalry game against a big opponent. Five-foot-six guard Kaitlin Donahoe’s response? Hit a big shot. Then hit another. And another.

January 29

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: Winslow gets hot from 3, beats rival Waterville

WINSLOW -- The Winslow boys basketball team rained threes on rival Waterville in front of a standing-room only crowd Friday night at Mansfield Gymnasium. And the visiting Purple Panthers never had a chance to dry off.

January 29

HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY: Eagles fall to Witches

WINSLOW -- For one period on Saturday night, the Messalonskee High School boys hockey team was dominant. But against a strong team like Brewer, one good period isn't going to cut it.

January 29

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Gagne lifts Panthers past Raiders

WATERVILLE -- Ashley Gagne scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Waterville Senior High School girls basketball team picked up a key Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class B win, beating Winslow 34-33 on Saturday.

January 30

HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL ROUNDUP: Hampden beats buzzer, Mt. Blue

FARMINGTON -- Zach Gilpin scored at the buzzer as Hampden Academy rallied to beat Mt. Blue 65-63 in overtime in a Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference Class A boys basketball game Saturday.

January 29

SUPER BOWL: Moving Wilfork a huge chore

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Try to shove massive Vince Wilfork out of the middle. Tough to do, isn't it?

January 29

COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Bird's 35 points spark Terriers

POULTNEY, Vt. -- Karin Bird scored 35 points to lead the Thomas College women's basketball team to a 91-70 win over Green Mountain College in North Atlantic Conference action Saturday.

January 29

TRAVIS LAZARCZYK: Much deserved recognition

Some thoughts while I wait for this little football game we call the Super Bowl....

January 28

Maine golf tourney features sports celebrities

Former President George H.W. Bush has lined up some big names in New England sporting history for his golf tournament this summer in Maine.

January 28

NBA: Pierce scores 28 as Celtics topple Pacers

BOSTON (AP) — Paul Pierce scored 17 of his 28 points in the third quarter, hitting a 3-pointer and two more baskets as the Celtics ran off 11 consecutive points to pull away and beat the Indiana Pacers 94-87 Friday night.

January 28

SUPER BOWL: Patriots' line has tough job against Giants D

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady felt the power of the New York Giants' pass rushers when he was sacked five times in their first Super Bowl confrontation.

January 28

SUPER BOWL: Nicks, Williams, Webster miss 2nd practice in row

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks, cornerback Corey Webster and linebacker Jacquian Williams missed their second straight day of practice as the New York Giants kept preparing for the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots.

January 28

SUPER BOWL: Gronkowski out of practice for 2nd day

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) -- Rob Gronkowski's playing status for the Super Bowl was listed as questionable on Friday after the star tight end missed the New England Patriots practice for the second straight day with an injured left ankle.