Top sports stories of 2021: No. 5 — A return to normal, a return to excellence

True postseasons returned for the 2021 spring season, and area athletes put on a show.

Big day for Wells High athletes on National Signing Day

Basketball player Grace Ramsdell and soccer player Emma Badger accept athletic scholarships to play at the NCAA Division I level – a first for the school.

Greely High pitcher to play in elite tourney staged for MLB scouts

Zach Johnston is one of 175 high schoolers across the nation heading to the invitation-only Area Code Underclass Games in Los Angeles.

All-Region Baseball Player of the Year: Oak Hill’s Gavin Rawstron

The Raiders' ace sported an ERA lower than 1.00. He also reached base nearly half the time he stepped to the plate and then used his speed to advance on the basepaths.

WMC All-Conference and All-Academic Teams

MVC All-Conference and All-Academic Teams

KVAC All-Conference and All-Academic Teams

Windham’s Afthim wins John Winkin Award

Windham High senior Brady Afthim is chosen as Maine's top senior baseball player.

Open tournaments this spring praised, but their future is uncertain

Originally intended to be a one-time thing because of the coronavirus pandemic, some coaches and ADs liked the every-team-makes-it approach and want to see it continue, but others prefer reverting back to the postseason-qualification method.

Baseball: Oak Hill’s Gavin Rawstron named a finalist for Winkin Award

Rawstron, a pitcher and shortstop for the Raiders, is one of seven finalists for the award given to Maine's top senior baseball player.