By Stuart HedstromStaff Writer DEXTER — The boys basketball teams from Dexter Regional High School and Penobscot Valley High School of Howland entered the Jan.

What were the top sports stories of the region over the past year? Our staff reviewed the past 12 months as documented by the Observer and came up with the highlights from 2015.

Dec.

BANGOR — Three runners from the region took part in the 10th annual EPIC Finale 5K on Dec.

NEWPORT — The Foxcroft Academy wrestling team continued its string of strong performances at large early season meets Saturday with a second-place finish at the Nokomis Warrior Clash.

schedule subject to change Wednesday, Jan.

BASKETBALLHeal Point standingsthrough Jan.

ORONO — The Foxcroft Academy indoor track and field team was in action at an Eastern Maine Indoor Track League/Penobscot Valley Conference meet on Jan.

DOVER-FOXCROFT — Derek “Shatterproof” Shorey wasn’t sure how to react when he received a phone call recently offering him the chance to fight on a nationally televised mixed martial arts card.

  A passion in local barns, potato houses DOVER-FOXCROFT — A generation ago, before travel teams began attracting young basketball players of all skill levels, those who hoped to star for their high school teams one day were left much more to their own devices to develop the talent required for success.

By Ernie ClarkStaff Writer DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Foxcroft Academy girls basketball team has shaken off a slow start to its season to emerge right in the middle of the Class B North playoff race as the midpoint of its regular-season schedule approaches.

By Ernie ClarkStaff Writer GUILFORD — The Piscataquis Community High School girls basketball team hopes a combination of good health and a busier schedule will spur improved performance in the new year, Not that the start of the season has been terrible for coach Brian Gaw’s club, though that phase of the campaign ended on a disappointing note Monday night with a 44-32 loss to Central of Corinth.

What were the top sports stories of the region over the past year? Our staff reviewed the past 12 months as documented by the Observer and came up with the highlights from 2015.

schedule subject to change   Wednesday, Dec.

Dec.

Joseph Cyr        Houlton’s Jake Worthley, left, dribbles to the baseline while guarded closely by Foxcroft Academy’s Hunter Smith during Monday night’s game.

  through Dec.

LAGRANGE — Zak Mills probably could have provided any college sports fan all he or she needed to know about the Duke University men’s basketball program long before his excellent adventure with the Blue Devils this month.