It was the people, places and emotions that made 2022 a special year in central Maine sports, Mike Mandell writes.

Cony’s Elijah Klaiber, left, gets tripped up by Lawrence’s Cade Scott during a football game Friday, Nov. 5, 2021, on Cony High’s Fuller Field in Augusta. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal Freeport sophomore Eli Spaulding tees off at the third hole during a match on September 14, 2021. Brianna Soukup/Portland Press Herald Oak Hill’s Tiger Hopkins gets […]

Biddeford softball players celebrate after beating Messalonskee, 8-1, in the Class A state championship game in June. Rich Abrahamson/Morning Sentinel Sanford senior T.J. Curley during practice at Goodall Park on April 11, 2022. Derek Davis/Portland Press Herald Oak Hill’s Tiger Hopkins gets tripped up by Portland’s Herbie Bryant in pursuit of the ball during a […]

Nokomis High School’s Cooper Flagg (32) scores with authority against Brewer High School’s in the boys Class A North finals game at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel Cape Elizabeth’s Delaney Whitten chases a loose puck with Scarborough’s Calynn Gendreau Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Shawn Patrick Ouellette/Portland Press […]