NEWPORT — The Nokomis Regional High School field hockey team ended its first practice as state champion the same way it ended its first practice as a regional runner-up. With a mile run on the track.

The statistics, or in the case of Gabe Hinds, the complete lack of them, lie. If you look at the University of Maine football team’s stat sheet from any of the past three seasons, and brush off Hinds because his name doesn’t appear anywhere, you’re missing the point, and missing what a valuable member of the Black Bears Hinds has become.

ORONO — It was late August, 2008, and Steve Shea’s football resume consisted of exhibition games at Nokomis Regional High School, one all-star game and a redshirt season at the University of Maine. And there he was, starting at right guard for the Black Bears in front of 70,585 screaming fans in the University of Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium.

MANCHESTER — It happened on every hole. While their caddies jumped into golf carts and motored down the fairway after each tee shot, Ryan Gay and Matt Greenleaf walked together, talking about golf, life and everything in between.

MANCHESTER — Tim Gay watched his son Ryan’s golf match against Mark Plummer on Wednesday afternoon and remembered when all Ryan wanted to do was play a round with Plummer, who owns a record 13 Maine Amateur titles.

AUGUSTA — Expect some aggressive play during the Maine State Golf Association’s Match Play Invitational, especially from Ryan Gay.