‘I think the biggest thing is getting the kids playing,’ says one coach, a refrain echoed by almost all involved in high school sports.
Steve Craig
Staff Writer
Steve Craig reports primarily about Maine’s active high school sports scene and, more recently, the Portland Hearts of Pine men's professional soccer team. His first newspaper job was covering Maine high school sports in 1986 working out of a tiny office in Skowhegan at the front of a hand-sewn shoe shop. After 12 years as a sportswriter in Dover, New Hampshire, he had a multi-year stint as the Portland Press Herald's freelance motorsports writer. In 2012 he was happy to make a working return to Maine as a staff writer for the Press Herald. Steve was named the National Sports Media Association's 2022 Maine Sportswriter of the Year, 27 years after winning the award for New Hampshire.
Posted inBaseball, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Basketball, Sports, Varsity Maine, Volleyball
There were detours, but signing day still special for high school standouts
For many, the college recruiting process relied heavily on virtual visits and was done without traditional on-campus visits because of pandemic restrictions.
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Posted inCross Country, Sports, Varsity Maine
High school cross country state championships canceled
The Maine Principals’ Association based its decision on the surging number of COVID-19 cases and a new requirement for student-athletes to wear masks while running.
Posted inFootball, Sports, Varsity Maine
Esteemed football coaches pull off victories – on election day
Kennebunk High’s Joe Rafferty and Wells’ Tim Roche win seats in the Maine Legislature.
Posted inLocal & State
Bound by a love of books, two vets are missing their regular meetings
Vernon Huestis, 93, and Eric Mihan, 82, were part of the original pairings made by Vet to Vet Maine in 2014 and had recorded over 300 in-person visits before the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted inSports
Club sports organizers feel blindsided by having to halt games
Updates to the state’s Community Sports Guidelines mean that youth basketball and hockey leagues should halt activities until Dec. 14.
Posted inSports, Varsity Maine
If winter sports happen, high school athletes will be wearing masks
No decisions have been made on the winter season, but the MPA’s Sports Medicine Committee is reviewing feedback from key state agencies on some of its proposals.
Posted inSports, Varsity Maine
For now, high school athletes not impacted by mandatory mask order
The Maine Principals’ Association says athletes will not be required to wear face masks while competing, but that is likely to change once the state’s sports guidelines are updated.
Posted inBoys Basketball, Boys Hockey, Indoor Track, Sports, Swimming, Uncategorized, Varsity Maine, Wrestling
What could high school sports look like this winter in Maine?
It’s been a successful fall season outside for many schools, but winter sports played inside present challenges that require creative problem-solving during the pandemic.
Posted inSports, Varsity Maine
High school notebook: Cross country qualifiers filling the state field
With no state playoffs for soccer, some high schools have created four-team ‘tournaments’ to add a little end-of-season excitement.