Although 2021 provided unique, unprecedented and often challenging obstacles for many of the student-athletes, coaches and spectators across Lower Cape Cod, there were also celebratory moments of triumph and accomplishment that made this past year one that the local sports communities will cherish for decades to come. After much of Cape Cod’s sports landscape endured shutdowns throughout 2020 because of COVID-...

HYANNIS – The Cape Cod Tech boys basketball players are just beginning to feel that feeling they forgot. The Crusaders have been easing into their return to play after missing out on last season entirely once the Mayflower League decided to cancel winter sports a year ago. “We haven’t played in two years,” explained Cape Tech coach Brent Warren. “We didn’t play last year — we had a brand-new gym and we coul...

SOUTH DENNIS – It’s hard for athletes from two schools to come together to build a rapport under the umbrella of a co-op team. It’s even harder when the team finds itself shorthanded for lengthy stretches of play. Penalties proved costly for the Mashpee-Monomoy boys co-op hockey team Thursday afternoon, as Martha’s Vineyard spoiled its home opener at Tony Kent Arena after skating to a 5-1 victory over the Mona...

NORTH EASTHAM – Make your way to the Nauset Regional High School gymnasium some afternoon and you’ll likely stumble upon a flurry of activity. There’s a good chance you’ll bump into one of the Warriors boys or girls basketball teams, the school’s wrestling program or the winter cheerleading squad. While those teams break apart from one another to practice, there’s a different scene happening at the end of the ...

SANDWICH – The Nauset Regional High School boys and girls swimming and diving teams were eager to see some new faces after enduring last year’s unprecedented virtual format, which saw Cape and Islands League teams compete in the comfort of their own pools and then compare times with opponents to establish scores and determine winners. Saturday’s Cape and Islands League Relay Carnival had the feel of a reunion ...

HARWICH – All throughout the preseason, Monomoy’s first-year girls basketball coach Brian Tomasini has been preaching the importance of defense to the Sharks. His players took his message to heart during Friday’s season opener against Cape Cod Tech. At times, the visiting Crusaders struggled to advance the ball past mid court against the Sharks’ stifling press defense. The combination of Monomoy’s length, d...

HARWICH – The Monomoy Regional High School boys basketball team isn’t interested in backing down from any challenges. That’s why the team’s coach, Dan Taylor, was ecstatic to learn the Cape and Islands League’s schedule was going to include more matchups between its Atlantic and Lighthouse Divisions. Monomoy competes in the Lighthouse alongside schools with smaller enrollments, while many of the Cape schools w...

ORLEANS – A Christmas tradition returned to the streets of Orleans on Saturday. Approximately 140 people took part in the eighth annual Santa Stampede 5K road race hosted by the Orleans Chamber of Commerce. Most competitors were decked out in their holiday best — many dressed up in fun and festive costumes as they ran or walked the five-kilometer (3.1 miles) course, which weaved through hilly East Orleans neig...

ORLEANS – Cape Cod’s hockey landscape just gained a lot more credibility. And Lower Cape hockey players don’t have to look too far to see it. The Cape Cod Furies co-op hockey team began a new era last week when the team began its preseason practices at the Charles Moore Arena in Orleans. Not only are the Furies beginning a new season, they are doing so with new leadership: Connor Brickley has taken over for Ad...

HARWICH – So often success is measured by wins and losses, the scores teams tally and the records they hold. While the Monomoy boys and girls cross-country teams both experienced successful seasons on the course, their accomplishments weren’t limited to windy paths amid wooded terrain. Members of both Sharks teams also shined in the classroom in addition to being strong leaders during Cape and Islands League c...

SANDWICH – The future looks bright for the Monomoy Regional High School football program. That was one of the big takeaways from the Sharks’ 56-26 loss to St. John Paul on Thanksgiving Eve. Despite the end result, Monomoy’s players and coaches left the Sandwich Pop Warner field optimistic about what the future holds after yet another season that was impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Most of that op...

NORTH EASTHAM — One of the more challenging seasons the Nauset football program has had to endure in recent memory ended with a 14-0 loss to visiting Dennis-Yarmouth on Thanksgiving morning at Nauset Regional High School in North Eastham. Like many teams based on the Cape, the Warriors struggled with their numbers this year and only had three seniors on their roster. Although the team finished with an 0-9 reco...