High School Sports

All No. 1 seeds? All for it! Why this men's Final Four will be great

Jay BilasApr 2, 2025, 07:00 AM ET Close College basketball analyst for ESPN and ESPN Insider Played and coached at Duke Practicing attorney Open Extended Reactions WHEN I FIRST started in broadcasting, I was called a “color commentator.” My job was to break down players and teams and tell you why they were good, and […]

Published

2 months ago

April 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

All No. 1 seeds? All for it! Why this men's Final Four will be great

Jay BilasApr 2, 2025, 07:00 AM ET
Close
- College basketball analyst for ESPN and ESPN Insider
- Played and coached at Duke
- Practicing attorney

WHEN I FIRST started in broadcasting, I was called a “color commentator.” My job was to break down players and teams and tell you why they were good, and to break down game matchups and tell you what to watch for and which factors will determine the outcome. Back then, we’d create a preseason top 20, attempting to tell you which teams and players will be best. Once in a while, we would be asked for a prediction, but it wasn’t the dominant theme.

At some point, I became a “basketball analyst,” which sounds profoundly snobbish. Suddenly, we were asked to pick winners of each game, which was counterintuitive to my sensibilities. After all, if I knew who was going to win, why wouldn’t I just go to Las Vegas and sit by the pool with a drink in my hand and rake in the winnings? Of course we don’t know who was going to win. Sure, we can point to matchups and factors upon which the game will be decided, but nobody knows.

That said, fans get worked up over analysts’ picks — which is why our bosses insist we make them. I do one bracket every year, and after I make my picks on Selection Sunday — in an article in which I pick every men’s NCAA tournament game for your pleasure and my pain — I don’t think about them again. I am more interested in the play on the floor. But nobody lets us forget those picks, despite the meaninglessness of them all.

This year, I had a dilemma. When I looked at the paths of each No. 1 seed, I really liked the one each had. But what would be the chances that all four No. 1 seeds reach the Final Four? Since seeding began in 1979, all four No. 1 seeds reached the Final Four only once, in 2008 — in San Antonio. That year, I found myself in the same predicament: I looked at the path of each No. 1 seed and liked each independently. When filling out the bracket, I had all four advancing to San Antonio. And in the end, all four did make it. This year, the feat was accomplished for only the second time. My overall record of games picked in my article is 45-15, including the correct Final Four in San Antonio. And notwithstanding my picks or yours, this Final Four is historic, but it is not unprecedented.

It might not be as splashy; I got a tremendous amount of guff for my picks in 2008 and again this year. But there’s something to remember: While the NCAA tournament is a spectacle, it also is the national championship. And we’re lucky enough to have the four best teams from the season fighting it out near the Alamo for the trophy and to cut the nets down.

This Final Four is absolutely incredible. These four squads are the top four teams in the KenPom efficiency ratings (the most digestible analytics for fans) and have a combined record of 135-16. All four teams are rated in the top 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency, which is amazing and unusual. Better still, these four teams are each among the top 10 most efficient in the history of KenPom ratings, available since 1997. Duke is No. 2 all time, Houston No. 6, Florida No. 8 and Auburn No. 10. That is all time.

Every season and every NCAA tournament is different, which is one of the beautiful things about the event. Two years ago, San Diego State and Florida Atlantic reached the Final Four, and the overarching narrative was that NIL and the transfer portal had flattened the Earth, that talent would be more spread out and the reign of the major conferences could be over. This year, upsets were not as prevalent, and all 16 teams in the Sweet 16 were from four major conferences (seven from the SEC, four from the Big Ten, four from the Big 12 and one from the ACC). Now, it was said, the transfer portal and NIL have killed mid-majors, who are just organ donors for the major conferences.

Of course, neither is true. One data point does not make a trend, and this is just one year. Two years ago, this year’s Sweet 16 would have represented seven conferences, with Houston in the American, BYU in the West Coast Conference and Arizona in the Pac-12. Would that make everyone feel better?

As the games approach, it’s time to forget the discourse — and, yes, the picks — and focus on the basketball that’s in store. These four teams — all-time greats — had to earn their way here and did. The competition among them will be delicious, and I cannot wait to see it.

How they got here: The Gators played a solid nonconference schedule but not a powerful one. But the bottom line is that Florida has not lost a game against a team outside of the SEC this season. Todd Golden has the deepest team at the Final Four, and no team was playing better basketball as the NCAA tournament started than the Gators. Golden has a quartet of guards that is easily the equal of any in the nation, led by first-team All-American Walter Clayton Jr., as capable a bucket getter as there is in the college game. Clayton, who played for Rick Pitino at Iona and was a big-time football recruit out of high school, is the one guy who can break off a play and create his own shot, and he has done so against UConn and Texas Tech. Without Clayton, Florida would not be here right now. Florida also has outstanding big men who are skilled passers, ball handlers and offensive rebounders; they seal off help defenders as well as any bigs in the country, opening up driving lanes to the rim where a shot blocker cannot get to.

Separating factor: Offensive rebounding and turnovers. Florida is the best offensive rebounding team of this Final Four, corralling 39% of its misses for high-percentage second-chance opportunities, including kickout 3-point shots. The biggest flaw? The Gators have a tendency to turn it over a bit more than the other three No. 1 seeds, ranking fourth among these teams in turnover percentage. If Florida takes care of the ball and gets a shot down every time, the Gators’ efficiency shoots way up.

One player to watch: Will Richard. The transfer guard from Belmont is an outstanding rebounder, perimeter shooter and help defender. With Clayton drawing so much attention, Richard can be a difference-maker.

How they got here: No team played a tougher schedule than Auburn, and none won more quality games throughout the regular season. The Tigers have some similarities to Florida regarding depth of talent, and Auburn has outstanding guards. Whether it is Miles Kelly (the best shooter), Denver Jones (the best defender and clutch performer) or Tahaad Pettiford (the lefty bucket getter), Auburn’s guards shoot 40% from deep and 88% from the foul line. While Auburn is not a great free throw-shooting team overall, the guards are knockdown foul shooters, which can separate the Tigers at the end of games. Of course, having Johni Broome, the lefty national player of the year contender, provides Bruce Pearl with a run stopper who can score on demand or pass out of a double-team to combat most defensive schemes.

Separating factor: Auburn is very good in most every aspect of play, but the Tigers are the best of this group at protecting the ball without turning it over (followed by Duke and Houston). When Auburn gets a shot, the Tigers have a chance to get fouled and/or grab an offensive rebound. And no team is better at defending out-of-bounds situations or scoring off of them.

One player to watch: Denver Jones. The FIU transfer is the best on-ball defender on the roster and is a very gifted offensive player. Never getting the credit he deserves, Jones could wind up as the best all-around guard on the floor in any game. Jones can shoot, drive to score or dish, and he always seems to hold a defensive assignment under his average.

How they got here: Duke is the most talented team, the longest and the biggest, and it is the only one to rank in KenPom’s top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency. Despite having five freshmen in the rotation (they say you can’t win with freshmen, but you can), Duke plays with the togetherness and the consistency — at both ends — of a much older, more seasoned team. Led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, the best player in the country, Duke has multiple weapons to spread the floor, knock down perimeter shots, punch the lane off the dribble or the pass and put pressure on the rim with the vertical threat of Khaman Maluach. Duke is the best finishing team at the rim and the best free throw-shooting squad, and it has the best 2-point defense in the Final Four.

Separating factor: Size, length and ability to switch at all five positions. Duke has incredible length, which allows the Blue Devils to discourage and affect passes and shot attempts. In addition, being able to switch all screens and exchanges makes this a very difficult defense to go against. It is important to put Maluach into ball-screen situations and draw him away from the rim.

One player to watch: Tyrese Proctor. Flagg is the best player in college basketball, and Kon Knueppel is one of the best scorers in the tournament and is around every loose ball. But Proctor is a difference-maker with his shooting in catch-and-shoot situations, and he has been on fire in the tournament, shooting at a crazy clip and making great decisions. Proctor is also an outstanding defender.

How they got here: Houston has lost only four games this season, three of which were in overtime. The Cougars lead the nation in playing hard, and they are relentless on defense and on the glass. With traps coming off ball-screen situations and in the post, Houston makes everything difficult and is physical in layup lines. Nothing is easy against Houston, which has one of the truly admirable winning cultures in sports. To beat Houston, you must accept the physical challenge presented and play through contact. But this season, Houston is much more than an offensive rebounding and defense team. Houston is the best perimeter shooting team in the Final Four, shooting 40% from deep as a team, with L.J. Cryer, Emanuel Sharp and Milos Uzan all shooting better than 41% from 3, led by Uzan at 44.5%. Houston will challenge at the rim, and big men J’Wan Roberts, Joseph Tugler and Ja’Vier Francis are all long, strong, athletic defenders and rebounders.

Separating factor: Defense and rebounding. Houston is the best defensive team in the country, and the Cougars can control tempo. There is nothing easy against Houston. Opponents will not get a normal game against the Cougars. It is not enough to be ready to play them; you have to be ready to fight.

One player to watch: Emanuel Sharp. Nicknamed “Crash,” Sharp has tremendous range as a shooter and is fearless in the moment. With an unusual shooting motion in which he almost flicks the ball out of his hands, Sharp is rugged, tough and physical. He’s a good playmaker who can get hot in a hurry.

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High School Sports

HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUP

There were seven tennis teams (six boys, one girls) in playoff action on Tuesday with a ticket to the Round of 8 on the line. Find out who advanced closer to a chance at a state title, and whose season came to an end. Boys Tennis Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 4 Fairhaven 5, […]

Published

5 hours ago

June 4, 2025

Your Sports Nation

There were seven tennis teams (six boys, one girls) in playoff action on Tuesday with a ticket to the Round of 8 on the line.

Find out who advanced closer to a chance at a state title, and whose season came to an end.

Boys Tennis

Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 4 Fairhaven 5, No. 13 Sandwich 0: The Blue Knights (15-7) came up short in their second playoff game. They defeated No. 20 Monument Mountain, 3-2, in the Round of 32.

Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 3 Monomoy 5, No. 14 Bourne 0: The Sharks (17-3) defeated the Canalmen (9-11) for the third time this season in a Cape playoff matchup.

Roman Pavluchenko defeated Joziah DeSouza in first singles (6-1, 6-1), Ryan Casey beat Jonathan Santucci in second singles (6-0, 6-0), and Zack Shields won third singles (6-1, 7-6 (8-6)) over Jake Roux.

Nick Hadden and Blake Noonan beat Nate Reynolds and Landon Hope in first doubles (6-2, 6-2), while Tom Hereford and Ethan Seufert defeated Doug Lunede and James Kirby.

Monomoy will play Cape opponent No. 6 Sturgis West for the first time this season in the Round of 8 at a date and time TBD.

Bourne defeated No. 19 Wareham 4-1 in the Round of 32 for its first playoff win almost a decade.

Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 5 Cohasset 5, No. 12 Falmouth Academy 0: The Mariners (6-6) were swept on the road to end their season. They swept No. 21 Ipswich in the Round of 32.

Div. 3, Round of 16: No. 8 Holliston 4, No. 9 Falmouth 1: The Clippers (14-4) ended their season on the road in the second round. They swept No. 24 Cardinal Spellman in the Round of 32.

Div. 4, Round of 16: No. 6 Sturgis West 3, No. 11 Lenox Memorial 2: The Navigators (10-2) handed Lenox Memorial their first loss of the season to advance to the Round of 8.

Ray Zhang beat Alex Kolean in first singles (6-0, 6-0), Francisco Garcia Raya defeated Ayden Shove in second singles (6-0, 6-0), and Robert Muhov closed the deal with a third singles (3-6, 7-6, 6-4) win over Edmund Pritchard.

Girls Tennis

Div. 3, Round of 16: No. 3 Martha’s Vineyard Reg. 3, No. 14 Boston Latin Academy 2: The Vineyarders (17-1) won a hard fought match to advance to the Round of 8, where they face No. 6 Newburyport at a time and date TBD.

Courtney Jacobs is the Sports Editor for the Cape Cod Times. You can contact him at cjacobs@capecodonline.com and follow him on X: @CJ_Journalist.

Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Cape Cod Times subscription. Here are our subscription plans.

High School Sports

WMOT's 'Roots on the Rivers' strikes a chord

With Americana music and a whole lot of tie-dye, WMOT’s Roots on the River might be the best start to the festival season in Nashville. The annual event returned to the Two Rivers Mansion on May 31 for eight hours of performances, including Aaron Lee Tasjan, Sam Bush and a surprise guest whose head-banging blues […]

Published

8 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

WMOT's 'Roots on the Rivers' strikes a chord

With Americana music and a whole lot of tie-dye, WMOT’s Roots on the River might be the best start to the festival season in Nashville.

The annual event returned to the Two Rivers Mansion on May 31 for eight hours of performances, including Aaron Lee Tasjan, Sam Bush and a surprise guest whose head-banging blues left jaws dropped nearly on the floor.

The event offers festival-goers the opportunity to connect with their community through food and music, while at the same time supporting WMOT, a nonprofit public radio station.

“Every year I get to meet new people … this is a good time,” said Denise Tucker, a volunteer who travels from South Dakota for Roots on the River each year.

Aaron Lee Tasjan jams with his bandmate at Roots on the River, May 31, 2025.

Read on for performance highlights from the one-day show.

Noeline Hofmann cooks with ‘Purple Gas’

The festival kicked off with up-and-coming country artist Noeline Hofmann and her band of Nashville natives. The 21-year-old rocked the stage with an hour-long set including songs from her new record, “Purple Gas.” Hofmann’s soulful music fit right in with the day’s other performances.

From Alberta, Canada, Hofmann attributes her love of country music to her family and hometown, which she calls “the Nashville of the North.”

“I’d say [my music is] lyric-driven and often country-rooted,” Hofmann said in an interview with Sidelines.

Hofmann ended her time on stage with an unreleased single about being a “honky tonk girl.” The lyrics nod to performing around the country and sleepless nights that accompany traveling as a band.

Roots on the River only kicks off Hofmann’s bustling summer.

This week, she returns to Nashville to perform at CMA Fest alongside one of her inspirations, Wynonna Judd. Later this season, Hofmann will share the stage with country-rock star Zach Bryan in Dublin, Ireland. – Liv Rapier

Aaron Lee Tasjan riffs with guitarist Laur Joamets

A three-time alum of Roots on the River, Aaron Lee Tasjan rocked the stage with electrifying back-and-forth guitar riffs and songs that rolled into rock.

The singer-songwriter and his band amplified the summer vibe with thrifted designer fits and retro-rock instruments.

Aaron Lee Tasjan smiles as he sings for festival goers at Roots on the River, May 31, 2025. (Samuel McInt)

Tasjan also brought out a guest musician, guitarist Luar Joamets, who the audience met with abundant applause. An Estonian musician, Joamets returns to Nashville after spending time on tour with Sturgill Simpson.

Tasjan and Joamets closed out the set by swapping guitar riffs. Fans reveled with the ruffled notes while swaying to the catchy tunes of “The Trouble Drinkin’” and “The Dangerous Kind.

On stage, Tasjan encouraged the audience to “show some support for a great radio station that plays authentic, real American music from the heart.” – DeAsia McClain

Liz Longley brings ‘New Life’

Liz Longley met the Nashville crowd with charming vocals akin to the singing of perched birds.

Blending country and folk, Longley utilized familiar sounds from her past albums and new music from her latest release, “New Life,” inspired in part by the birth of her daughter.

Longley calls the album a “sister” to her previous release, “Funeral from My Past.” As her songs navigate the feelings of death and rebirth, Longley compelled the audience to stop and take note of each melody’s underlying meaning.

Still, perhaps nothing sums up her music better than Longley herself, as she introduces her closing song: “Here’s the happiest blue song you’ll ever hear.” – Wren Bailey

Bronwyn Keyth-Hynes’ bluegrass surprise

Bluegrass artist Brownyn Keyth-Hynes performed songs from her new album “I Built a World” during the Saturday afternoon set.

After touring the states for the past few months, Keyth-Hynes accepted an invitation from WMOT to play at the Roots Festival following an interview with one of the station’s members. On stage, Keyth-Hynes and her band showcased the work put into the album.

“I always love playing festivals where there’s different genres of music,” Keyth-Hynes said in an interview with Sidelines.

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram brings the music directly to the crowd at Roots on the River, May 31, 2025.

Keyth-Hynes channeled a childlike spirit as she played the fiddle to a large crowd. The band played the “I Built A World” title track, as well as “Angel Island” and “Trip Around the Sun.” Bluegrass lovers watched in admiration as she shared the humble life stories behind her sweet string tunes. – DeAsia McCain

Christone “Kingfish” Ingram ‘reels in’ a standing ovation

Months before the festival, organizers kept one performance a surprise. Turns out, it was Grammy Award-winning blues artist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

Taking a break from the day’s folksy-bluegrass feel, Ingram stood alone with his self-proclaimed “delta blues” style.

Ingram attributed his love for music to his community in a backstage interview with Sidelines.

“I grew up around my Mom, her side of the family, my uncles sang and played,” Ingram said. “I grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. It’s a blues state.”

A three-person band held down the stage as Ingram made his way onto the lawn during his fourth song, “Not Gonna Lie.” The festival grounds were filled with an Unstoppable groove while Ingram and his band freestyled off each other. He earned a standing ovation after a three-minute guitar riff where Ingram jumped into the middle of the crowd.

By the end of his set, the crowd had crept up to the barricade, encaptured by the artist. – Liv Rapier

Sam Bush speaks up

Fan takes a video of the headliner Sam Bush at Roots on the River, May 31, 2025.

Sam Bush closed the night by returning the festival to a familiar bluegrass sound.

Before beginning his set, more people lined the barricade to soak in the last of the night.

Bush and his band flooded the festival with harmonies, string instruments and an unexpected cover of “My Shot” from the hit musical “Hamilton.”

Besides passionate fiddle playing and anecdotes met with lyrical storytelling, Bush wanted to highlight the importance of events like WMOT’s “Roots.”

“Public radio and the airways of education TV [are] being threatened right now,” Bush said. “We can’t overstate the importance of supporting a radio station like WMOT to bring you quality music and programming of all kinds and all varieties, just like America.” – Wren Bailey

To contact the Features editor, email [email protected].

For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com, and follow us on Facebook at MTSU Sidelines and on X and Instagram at @mtsusidelines. Also, sign up for our weekly newsletter here.

High School Sports

HIGHLIGHTS

KINGSFORD, Mich. (WJMN/WBUP) – Athletes from high schools around the U.P. gathered in Kingsford on Saturday for the 2025 U.P. Track and Field Finals. Check out the winners from some of the weekend’s field events in the attached video. You can find a full list of event standings here. COPYRIGHT 2025 BY MY UP NOW […]

Published

8 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

KINGSFORD, Mich. (WJMN/WBUP) – Athletes from high schools around the U.P. gathered in Kingsford on Saturday for the 2025 U.P. Track and Field Finals.

Check out the winners from some of the weekend’s field events in the attached video.

You can find a full list of event standings here.

High School Sports

Historic Wins Highlight USA Lacrosse High School Girls' National Top 25

Regional Rankings Northeast Top 10 Week 10 1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 17-0 (1) 2. Nyack (N.Y.) 18-0 (2) 3. Phillips Andover (Mass.), 20-2 (3) 4. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 16-3 (4) 5. Darien (Conn.), 17-2 (5) 6. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 17-1 (6) 7. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 20-3 (7) 8. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 16-1 (8) 9. Smithtown West (N.Y.), 16-2 (9)10. Garden City (N.Y.), […]

Published

9 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Historic Wins Highlight USA Lacrosse High School Girls' National Top 25

Regional Rankings

Northeast Top 10
Week 10

1. St. Anthony’s (N.Y.), 17-0 (1)
2. Nyack (N.Y.) 18-0 (2)
3. Phillips Andover (Mass.), 20-2 (3)
4. Sacred Heart Greenwich (Conn.), 16-3 (4)
5. Darien (Conn.), 17-2 (5)
6. Bayport-Blue Point (N.Y.), 17-1 (6)
7. Noble & Greenough (Mass.), 20-3 (7)
8. Cicero-North Syracuse (N.Y.), 16-1 (8)
9. Smithtown West (N.Y.), 16-2 (9)
10. Garden City (N.Y.), 17-2 (10)

Mid-Atlantic Top 10
Week 13

1. Episcopal (Pa.), 18-0 (1)
2. Maryvale (Md.), 13-5 (2)
3. Manchester Valley (Md.), 19-0 (3)
4. Archbishop Spalding (Md.), 13-5 (4)
5. McDonogh (Md.), 14-3 (5)
6. St. Paul’s Md., 12-4 (6)
7. Agnes Irwin (Pa.), 18-3 (7)
8. Good Counsel (Md.), 18-3 (8)
9. Chatham (N.J.), 18-1 (9)
10. Stone Ridge (Md.), 17-5 (10)

South Top 10
Week 12

1. Cambridge (Ga.), 19-2 (1)
2. Milton (Ga.), 20-2 (2)
3. Lake Highland (Fla.), 20-4 (3)
4. American Heritage-Delray (Fla.), 18-3 (4)
5. Hockaday (Texas), 19-1 (5)
6. IMG Academy (Fla.), 10-4 (6)
7. Plant (Fla.), 24-0 (7)
8. Anderson (Texas), 12-1 (8)
9. Oceanside Collegiate (S.C.), 18-4 (9)
10. Providence Day (N.C.), 20-1 (10)

Midwest Top 10
Week 12

1. Loyola (Ill.), 21-2 (1)
2. New Trier (Ill.), 20-3 (2)
3. Olentangy Liberty (Ohio), 20-1 (3)
4. Upper Arlington (Ohio), 18-4 (4)
5. St. Francis DeSales (Ohio), 20-1 (5)
6. Hinsdale Central (Ill.), 18-5 (6)
7. Carmel (Ind.), 19-3 (7)
8. Guerin Catholic (Ind.), 17-2 (8)
9. Prior Lake (Minn.), 14-0 (9)
10. Hudson (Ohio), 21-0 (10)

West Top 10
Week 13

1. Coronado (Calif.), 19-0 (1)
2. Sacred Heart Prep (Calif.), 18-2 (2)
3. Valor Christian (Colo.), 17-1 (3)
4. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 17-5 (4)
5. Foothill-Santa Ana (Calif.), 20-2 (5)
6. Redwood (Calif.), 19-4 (6)
7. San Ramon Valley (Calif.), 18-4 (7)
8. Evergreen (Colo.), 16-2 (8)
9. Mira Costa (Calif.), 18-1 (9)
10. Seattle Prep (Wash.), 13-2-1 (10)

High School Sports

06/02/2025 high school spring sports results

AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine (WAGM) – The Katahdin Cougars have officially locked up the #1 seed in Class D baseball. The team faced the Hodgdon Hawks and won 11-1. Josh Marting led the team batting 1-2 with three RBI and a double. Kaden DeLand was 1-1 with two RBI and Addison Young went 1-3, also with […]

Published

10 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

06/02/2025 high school spring sports results

AROOSTOOK COUNTY, Maine (WAGM) – The Katahdin Cougars have officially locked up the #1 seed in Class D baseball.

The team faced the Hodgdon Hawks and won 11-1.

Josh Marting led the team batting 1-2 with three RBI and a double.

Kaden DeLand was 1-1 with two RBI and Addison Young went 1-3, also with two RBI.

The Cougars are now 13-0 with one game left in the season.

As Caribou dominated girl’s and boy’s basketball, Katahdin is dominating baseball and softball.

The Lady Cougars won 11-1 behind an eight streikout pitching performance from Jayden Stevens.

Stevens also hit a two-run home run and a double.

Some other top hitters from that game: Polly Cullen hit two singles, Emily McNAlly hit two singles and a double, Dakota Stevens hit a single and a double, Piper Cullen, Avery Cullen, and Mickenzie Landry each hit a single.

The Presque Isle Wildcat’s girls’ tennis team faced the Waterville Panthers in the quarterfinals.

The Panthers won 3-2.

Alice Korzekwa and Sabine Wells-Puckett won their matches to earn two points for Presque Isle.

We are in the final week of regular season spring sports action.

Many teams playing doubleheaders to ensure all of their scheduled games are played.

Mount Desert Island traveled to Presque Isle for a doubleheader at 3:30 and 5:30pm.

The game was delayed as the grounds crew was repairing the field, the Wildcats had a comeback win in game one, 4-3.

Game two started nearly two hours after its scheduled time.

The Trojans scored the first run of the game on a sac fly, then James Downey drove in their second run of the game, 2-0 in the top of the second inning.

Still the second, Colin Sullivan was intentionally walked to load the bases which brought Alex Roos to the plate, he turned on this one, a deep ball off of the left field pole, his first grand slam of his high school career, that will open this game up.

The bats eventually started rolling for the Wildcats, Oliver Woollard will drive in their first run of the game, 6-1 MDI still leads in the bottom of the third.

The third inning was the best for Presque Isle, Ryan Blackstone was the next with a big hit, Brandon Porter and Woollard would score, MDI wins game two 10-4.

A little bit of early rain in Mars Hill didn’t delay the softball game.

Fort Fairfield on the attack first, they would take a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Lady Panthers get one run back in the bottom of the first, but the Lady Tigers trying to maintain their lead, Brianna Osterblom with the slide and score.

As the sun came out, so did Central Aroostook’s offense, Mackenzie Davis will tack on two runs for the home team, the Lady Panthers starting to take a bigger lead, Harleigh Allen and Aiden Kinney score.

As the game went on Central Aroostook pulled away, Lily Clair would triple here bringing in all runners, she also homered.

Fort Fairfield would score one more but the Panthers win 14-4.

Soak it all in… This could be the final time we see some highlights from Mars Hill this baseball season.

The Tigers starting strong coming off of their second loss of the season… Lucas Cormier leads off and doubles in the top of the first.

Cayden Ala batting second for Fort with Cormier still occupying second base, Ala gets his bat on the ball, it’s going to drop into the outfield, Cormier will round the bases and score while Ala replaces Cormier at second base.

Levi Cole was walked and Ala moved up to third base… Graedon King hits a groundball to Trace Kinney, Ala takes off as soon as the ball leaves his hand and scores, 2-0 Tigers with runners on the corners again.

Cole secured another run when he took home plate on a pass ball.. quickly 3-0 with no outs.

But that’s when the Panthers defense helped out, first with a double play, then a pop up to the infield would end this inning.

Fort Fairfield beats the Panthers in Mars Hill 17-5.

The Tigers last game of the season is against the only undefeated team in Class D North.

Katahdin will be in Fort Fairfield Wednesday at 4:30.

Presque Isle leading MDI 4-0 in game one of this softball doubleheader, Kolbie Langley will add onto that lead, Astra Laughton will cross the plate on a two out double from Langley here in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Mount Desert Island had their bats going as well, however Presque Isle’s gloves were on fire, Astra Laughton catches a bullet flying back to her.

The team would continue their strong defense holding the Trojans to no runs through five innings.

Top of the 6th inning, the Trojans running out of time to get five runs back and tie this game, a double here with no outs will set them up nicely.

They wouldn’t finish this game without scoring one, Astra Laughton goes nearly 6 innings without giving up a run.

The Lady Wildcats split the doubleheader.

In game one Presque Isle beat MDI 5-3 while in game two, MDI won 3-1.

The Northern Maine Moose closed out their home games this season with a win.

The Moose won 7-3.

Isaiah Ervin’s senior night ended with 3 goals and three assists, Colton Simoes scored two and 1 assist including a 92% face off win percentage.

Carter Carmichael and Eli Brown each netted one.

Head coach Adam Simoes said, “This was a great win but a tough night for me. This is the core group that started Northern Maine Moose. All players are special but when you look to where and who this program started. To share this victory is truly special.”

High School Sports

Scouting Report Rundown

Commitment season has arrived, and with it some in-depth breakdowns of several new pledges from the past few days in the latest 247Sports Scouting Report Rundown. Today’s edition highlights 10 recently updated scouting reports, including five Top247 members (plus another four-star prospect), as well as several new commits across the country. The 247Sports national scouting […]

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10 hours ago

June 3, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Commitment season has arrived, and with it some in-depth breakdowns of several new pledges from the past few days in the latest 247Sports Scouting Report Rundown. Today’s edition highlights 10 recently updated scouting reports, including five Top247 members (plus another four-star prospect), as well as several new commits across the country.

The 247Sports national scouting team is in the process of fulfilling updated scouting reports on the entire 2026 Top247. Simultaneously, we try to produce a significant number of scouting reports on players outside the Top247 with expected impending commitments.

Tuesday’s rundown, of course, features both. Here’s the latest SRR, leading off with some fresh evaluations on a trio of top 100 overall prospects in the 2026 class.