Maine Sports

Ernie Clark is back for a second year with his Ticket all-state squads after another busy season on Ticket TV and Tourney Week on 92.9 FM The Ticket.

Ernie Clark is back for a second year with his Ticket all-state squads after another busy season on Ticket TV and Tourney Week on 92.9 FM The Ticket.

They are 24-7-6, champions of Hockey East for the first time in 21 years, the #4 ranked team in the country and a No. 1 seed at the dance. So, regardless of what happens tonight, we should clearly be able to say this season has been nothing short of a success, right?

Maine is a basketball state yet its most popular sports team plays hockey. So, which bit of madness are Mainers more fired up for in March?

Over the holidays, I was talking to some relatives about this game and happened to look up ticket prices on the secondary market when one of them said, "oh that would be fun, we should go." I was shocked at what I found.

There's a reason stations like us are now broadcasting Duke basketball games - like tomorrow's contest vs. Virginia Tech - it's because Maine can't get enough of the recently turned 18-year-old during his journey to possibly being the No. 1 pick in next summer's NBA Draft.

Ticket TV brought you much of the action throughout September, October, and into Novemeber on the gridiron and the pitch. Before we turn the page from fall to winter, it's time to recognize a few of the excellent performances from local high school athletes.

Ernesto needs only a 3-3 record this weekend to reach his holy grail of an .800 winning percentage or better for the season.

Last week: 20-5 (.800) Season: 150-35 (.811)   Class A North semifinals - #2 Lewiston 20, #3 Bangor 14 #1 Portland 27, #4 Windham 16 Class A South semifinals -  #2 Bonny Eagle 22, #3 Noble 21 #1 Thornton Academy 28, #4 South Portland 16 Class B North semifinals - #2 Cony 35, #3 Lawrence 28 #1 Falmouth 28, #5 Messalonskee 7 Class B South semifinals - #2 Deering 24, #3 Massabesic 8 #1 Kennebunk 32,

It goes without saying that much of Maine will be following Cooper's freshman season closely, but how many out there plan on jumping on the Duke bandwagon with Flagg?