Mike Mandell
@michaeljmandell.bsky.social
Sports for the Morning Sentinel and the Varsity Maine network. Find me at Maine sporting events, on my kayak or living and dying with every snap of college football.
Significant hoops news in the central Maine area: Sam Smith, who led the Messalonskee boys to the Class A North title this year, is leaving to accept the same position at Lake Region (his alma mater).
Messalonskee boys basketball coach leaving for Lake Region
Sam Smith, who guided the Eagles to the Class A North title this winter, is returning to his alma mater.
www.centralmaine.com
May 23, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Significant hoops news in the central Maine area: Sam Smith, who led the Messalonskee boys to the Class A North title this year, is leaving to accept the same position at Lake Region (his alma mater).
Joel Sankey was one of the best people around in a Maine high school football community that has so many good ones. He will truly be missed. RIP.
May 19, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Joel Sankey was one of the best people around in a Maine high school football community that has so many good ones. He will truly be missed. RIP.
Happy spring sports!
April 18, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Happy spring sports!
My feature story on torpedo bats, which have an origin in Anson, Maine, and have even made their way to Maine high school baseball at one nearby school.
With roots in rural Maine, torpedo bats a big hit in Major League Baseball
Maine Billets in Anson made the initial bats that the New York Yankees helped make the hottest item in the sport. Now, a few Maine high school players are starting to use them.
www.pressherald.com
April 10, 2025 at 3:50 PM
My feature story on torpedo bats, which have an origin in Anson, Maine, and have even made their way to Maine high school baseball at one nearby school.
They’re all the rage in MLB, and now, torpedo bats are already making their way to Maine high school baseball. Senior Xavier Estes is one of five Madison players using the bats, which are made at Maine Billets in nearby Anson. He says he will likely use the bats during games this season.
April 5, 2025 at 9:21 PM
They’re all the rage in MLB, and now, torpedo bats are already making their way to Maine high school baseball. Senior Xavier Estes is one of five Madison players using the bats, which are made at Maine Billets in nearby Anson. He says he will likely use the bats during games this season.
Todd MacArthur has stepped down as Winthrop boys basketball coach after 14 seasons. MacArthur went 196-77 with the Ramblers, whom he guided to back-to-back Class C state titles in 2019 and 2020.
April 1, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Todd MacArthur has stepped down as Winthrop boys basketball coach after 14 seasons. MacArthur went 196-77 with the Ramblers, whom he guided to back-to-back Class C state titles in 2019 and 2020.
Barça–Osasuna, MLB Opening Day AND the Sweet 16?!
March 27, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Barça–Osasuna, MLB Opening Day AND the Sweet 16?!
A year ago, Michigan went 8-24 and finished last in the Big Ten by multiple games. To go to 27-10 with a B1G tourney title and an NCAA tourney win with this Frankenstein roster is the most insane turnaround I have ever seen.
March 23, 2025 at 1:00 AM
A year ago, Michigan went 8-24 and finished last in the Big Ten by multiple games. To go to 27-10 with a B1G tourney title and an NCAA tourney win with this Frankenstein roster is the most insane turnaround I have ever seen.
Best day of the year?
March 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Best day of the year?
To think that Maine men’s basketball might make the Big Dance is actually impossible. What Chris Markwood is 40 minutes away from doing is the national story of the year in college basketball.
March 12, 2025 at 12:59 AM
To think that Maine men’s basketball might make the Big Dance is actually impossible. What Chris Markwood is 40 minutes away from doing is the national story of the year in college basketball.
What year do we think this is from?
March 1, 2025 at 12:00 AM
What year do we think this is from?
Bangor’s Cross Insurance Center is the premier tourney venue in Maine high school basketball. The communities, the ambiance and the feel of the arena are second to none. Fantastic column here from @tlazarczyk.bsky.social that articulates it.
Bangor or Portland? As Maine hoop venues go, one stands out
Sports columnist Travis Lazarczyk visited two sites in a day, and one rose to the occasion in a tournament atmosphere.
www.centralmaine.com
February 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Bangor’s Cross Insurance Center is the premier tourney venue in Maine high school basketball. The communities, the ambiance and the feel of the arena are second to none. Fantastic column here from @tlazarczyk.bsky.social that articulates it.
Joined Maranacook girls basketball coach and MPBN announcer Karen Magnusson yesterday to talk tourney — what we’ve seen and what we’re looking forward to the next few days. Give it a watch/listen!
Matchups with Mags
YouTube video by Varsity Maine
youtu.be
February 20, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Joined Maranacook girls basketball coach and MPBN announcer Karen Magnusson yesterday to talk tourney — what we’ve seen and what we’re looking forward to the next few days. Give it a watch/listen!
Two down-to-the-wire battles and a major upset. Couldn’t have scripted a better Day 1 of the tournament at the Cross Insurance Center.
February 15, 2025 at 5:07 AM
Two down-to-the-wire battles and a major upset. Couldn’t have scripted a better Day 1 of the tournament at the Cross Insurance Center.
In 48 hours, I’ll be here:
February 12, 2025 at 10:05 PM
In 48 hours, I’ll be here:
Possibly the GOAT halftime show. WHEW.
February 10, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Possibly the GOAT halftime show. WHEW.
The Augusta Civic Center: Come for the best Maine high school athletic contests around; stay because water is dripping through a panel of the ceiling and onto your head.
February 8, 2025 at 6:55 PM
The Augusta Civic Center: Come for the best Maine high school athletic contests around; stay because water is dripping through a panel of the ceiling and onto your head.
This story was a product of a month-plus of work. I looked at how analytics play into Maine high school sports and found countless teams looking to the numbers to get a leg up in the modern era:
Looking for an edge, Maine high school teams dive into data
Advanced statistics are playing an increasingly bigger role across a variety of sports.
www.centralmaine.com
January 31, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This story was a product of a month-plus of work. I looked at how analytics play into Maine high school sports and found countless teams looking to the numbers to get a leg up in the modern era:
So much for a classic! The Lawrence basketball team thoroughly dominated Cony to stay unbeaten.
Lawrence girls basketball dominates Cony in clash of A North’s top teams
Maddie Provost scored 26 points for the Bulldogs, who avenged a loss to the Rams in last season's regional final.
www.centralmaine.com
January 29, 2025 at 3:53 AM
So much for a classic! The Lawrence basketball team thoroughly dominated Cony to stay unbeaten.
Cony (13-1) vs. Lawrence (14-0) girls in Fairfield. Game of the year in central Maine (all of Maine?) so far.
January 28, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Cony (13-1) vs. Lawrence (14-0) girls in Fairfield. Game of the year in central Maine (all of Maine?) so far.
Had to break this out today. #RaiseHail
January 26, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Had to break this out today. #RaiseHail
Reposted by Mike Mandell
No better way to get me to change the channel.
January 21, 2025 at 2:21 AM
No better way to get me to change the channel.
Could B South earn a rare state title over the North this year? This region is loaded:
January 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Could B South earn a rare state title over the North this year? This region is loaded: