Some teams in southern Maine this spring plan to use electronic one-way communication between the coach and catcher.
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.
Baseball: Players to watch in southern Maine
These are some of the top players in the region to keep an eye on this spring.
Baseball: Teams to watch in southern Maine
Several of these teams should contend for regional and state championships this spring.
Varsity Maine Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year: Pierce Walston, Orono
The 6-foot senior guard averaged 17.4 points and controlled the pace of the game for the two-time Class B champions.
Boys’ basketball: 2024 Varsity Maine All-State team
Our team of the top boys’ basketball players in the state features nine seniors and three juniors.
Sea Dogs’ head groundskeeper doubles as high school pitching coach
Jason Cooke helps the pros by maintaining the playing surface at Hadlock Field, and mentors pitchers on the South Portland baseball team.
Sanford’s Rachel Smith is back on track and eyeing another Olympic berth
Smith returned to the track for the first time since 2021 on March 16 after the birth of her daughter Nova on April 19, 2023.
Varsity Maine Girls’ Indoor Track Athlete of the Year: Makenna Drouin, Lewiston
The senior won three events at the Class A state championships and set a meet record in the 55-meter dash.
Boys’ indoor track: 2024 Varsity Maine All-State team
Sprinters and jumpers dominate our team of the best indoor track and field athletes across the state.
Varsity Maine Boys’ Indoor Track Athlete of the Year: Maddox Jordan, Noble
The senior set all-time Maine bests in the 800 and mile, swept the distance triple at the Class A meet, and won the New England mile.