Moments of class dominate year’s sports memories

As usual, it has been a year of sound bites and images. Some good. Some not so good.

At Winslow, Sukee Arena. Last winter. A sea of people wearing Gardiner hockey jerseys for an Eastern Maine playoff game with John Bapst. John Bapst skated just two lines and Zack Means seemed to be on both of them.

Zack Means in the hallway outside of the John Bapst dressing room after the game, a loss for the Crusaders. Tears running down his face. Thanking me, yes, thanking me, for my coverage of the John Bapst soccer team during its run to the Eastern Maine Class B title. “I should have told you before now,” he said.

What class.

UMaine football coach Jack Cosgrove saying his team would fight through the situation after teammates had let them down.

The UMaine football team fighting through the situation.

The Ellsworth boys soccer team running a set play. What precision.

UMaine hockey player Michael Shute shushing the crowd at the national championship game in St. Paul, Minn.

The look of disbelief on the faces of the Maine players when Minnesota tied the game. The disappointment when the game-winner came in overtime.

Belfast’s Jeff Parenteau getting up from the ground at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, one yard short of a Belfast state championship. Moments later Parenteau answered questions calmly.

Belfast coach Butch Arthers answering questions, the emotions showing through.

Sumner boys soccer coach John Frye chirping to his team from the sidelines.

Seeing the current crop of freshmen playing at such a good level thus far in the high school basketball season. Chris Wilson of Brewer, Lee’s Kris King, Hampden Academy’s Jordan Cook and Penobscot Valley’s Matt Cummings before he suffered a hand injury.

Then there are the others on the hardwood who can bring a smile. How about Abraham Beal of Jonesport-Beals and his long-range stroke? Or Bangor’s Wesley Day and his crossover dribble to a pullup jumper? Or the court smarts of Brewer’s Andy Frost. Bangor’s Zak Ray and his smooth, seemingly effortless game. Or Ryan McLellan of Nokomis and his intensity on the court.

A highlight had to be Ray and McLellan talking it over after a nip-and-tuck game at Bangor recently.

Winslow running back Ricky Vigue rushing for almost 300 yards against Brewer. What a performance.

Foxcroft Academy’s Josh Withee’s look of disbelief after an obvious incomplete pass had been ruled a touchdown in the Ponies’ loss to Boothbay in the Class C state championship game.

The look on Tony Soprano’s face when Carmela told him … just in case you missed it, I won’t spill the beans. But for the rest you, well, you know what I mean. The keyword is “ponytail.”

Charlie Milan III showing there’s life in the old arm during the World Candlepin Championships.

The look in my 8-year-old daughter’s face on Christmas morning.

There are thousands more of them, the Dexter girls after coming from behind to win the Class C state field hockey championship. The underclassman and his mates pretending to be Ricky Craven and his pit crew at a Maine Maritime football game.

More and more, but we’ll end the year with a toast. As usual it comes from Col. Sherman T. Potter of the 4077 M*A*S*H. “Here’s to the new year. May she be a damned sight better than the old one.”

Don Perryman can be reached at 1-800-310-8600, 990-8045 or dperryman@bangordailynews.net.