As if it needed any more inspiration, the No. 4 Bangor High field hockey team got a little present at a recent practice that could provide a spark as the Rams open their playoff run Wednesday with a game against No. 5 Lawrence of Fairfield at 3 p.m.

Sophomore back Elizabeth Strout brought in an old Bangor field hockey sweater from the 1981 season, the year the Rams won a Class A state title with a 3-2 victory over Bonny Eagle of Buxton. It was a gift from Barbara Kelley, who coached the ’81 Rams and works with Strout’s mother.

“We’ve been talking about [the 1981 title] a lot, actually,” said first-year Bangor coach Lisa Conley. “[The sweater] is a reminder of what can happen, maybe not this season, but soon enough.”

It may be early to think that the Rams could challenge for another title this year, but no matter what happens in the playoffs Bangor has already had its most successful season in several years.

The Rams finished the regular season at 7-7 record, including a 3-0 win Sept. 6 that snapped an 0-42-2 streak dating back to 1997.

Conley said the team has been clicking lately. With goal-scoring shared among a number of players, including Sara Boyorak, Monica Willey and Ashley Emerson, and the goalie tandem of Allison Frazier and Frankee Waldron getting stronger, Bangor is ready for the playoffs.

“They’re looking really good,” Conley said. “They could be at the point where they’re exhausted, but everyone’s pretty excited and revved up.”

Pirates may sail over the border

Officials at two model schools in bordering states have begun a relationship that is reaping benefits for both schools.

A friendship that formed two years ago between Piscataquis of Guilford principal Bruce Lindberg and George Edwards, principal of Bow (N.H.) High School, has opened doors of opportunities for the two schools, including faculty and student cultural exchanges.

The first benefit from that relationship came this month in an invitation to Lindberg for his varsity boys’ basketball team to participate in a holiday tournament at Bow High School on Dec. 27 and 28.

Eight teams in the New England region have been invited to participate in the tournament.

“I just think it’s neat our kids can go and compete with kids out of state,” Lindberg said Monday. “It’s more than a basketball experience, it’s a cultural experience that they’re going to get from this.”

When Bow High School became organized in 1997, PCHS was among the model schools in the nation that Bow educators visited.

The PCHS players, who need SAD 4 board approval to participate, would stay overnight with families of Bow basketball players.

Jessica Bloch can be reached at 990-8193, 1-800-310-8600 or via e-mail at jbloch@bangordailynews.net