The Maine Basketball Rankings Podcast

Long considered one of the best distance runners in the state of Maine, Robert Gomez went viral when he stopped to carry a fallen runner to the finish line during the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race. Gomez is also a coach, so we discuss various strategies for the 10K that can help you maximize both your training in the weeks before the race and on race day itself. Eastern Shore Training: https://...

Like a lot of people, Connor Daigle started running to get in shape for basketball season. It didn't take long for him to fall in love with the sport. As he finishes his sophomore season at UMaine, he joins me to talk about track vs. roads, training for the heat, goals going forward, and his hopes to 3-peat at The Waldoboro Day 5K this Saturday. Register for the Waldoboro Day 5K: https://runsi...

Because I'll be damned if someone's going to come on my podcast and say nice things about Kyrie Irving, Adam Robinson joins me to go over the Celtics/Mavs storylines, including how ridiculous the coverage is and how we think the series might play out. Oh, and Adam has a hot take about Al Horford. Plus, some of the standout performances from the Class A Track & Field championships, mini...

The Celtics are back in the Eastern Conference Finals, much to the chagrin of every talking head on ESPN, so Jon Duke joins me to preview the series, talk about why the media is so hell-bent on burying Tatum & Company. Plus, we talk about Joe Mazzulla, do a quick preview of next year in A North, and more!

Michael Hathaway has built Leavitt into a football powerhouse. Last year they repeated as Class C state champions, going undefeated despite playing a schedule that included some of the biggest schools in the state. We talk about how the program was built, the value of a good coaching staff, and what the MPA should do to fix scheduling. Plus, the growth of the Maine Elite Passing Camp (returning th...

The COVID-19 pandemic was probably the biggest collective challenge of our lifetimes. Now Thornton Academy Athletic Director has co-written (with Dave Eid) the definitive record of that time: what happened, how the sports world of Maine responded, and how we ultimately overcame it. We talk about that, plus the evolving role of an Athletic Director as Gary plans to retire at the end of this, his 17...

Look, you probably didn't watch a lot of Cleveland games this year. But Cavs fan Griffin Conlogue did and he'll join me to talk about the matchup and what the Celtics have to do to advance to the conference finals. Plus, we talk about Mount Blue and go over Griffin's Four Faves on Letterboxd. Griffin's Letterboxd: https://letterboxd.com/gc_93/

A couple of weeks ago, Bob Beatham, Jr. wrote an open letter on Eastern Maine Sports making the case for a return to the 4 class system for basketball. We talk about his case for 4 classes and a couple other things he'd change to improve Maine high school basketball. Read the letter: https://easternmainesports.com/2024/04/10/maine-high-school-basketball-needs-to-return-to-4-classes/

Now that the Celtics finally know their first round opponent, I sat down with local Heat fan (and acclaimed sports journalist) Mike Mandell to discuss the series, the likelihood of another Miami upset, the spring sports season, and a bunch more. Mike Mandell on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MichaelJMandell Read him in print: https://www.centralmaine.com/author/mike-mandell/

You've seen Chris Barstow make calls against your team for years. He joins me to talk about how he got started, the ref shortage, sportsmanship, dealing with coaches, how I can teach my kid the Dikembe Mutombo finger wag without him getting technicals, and so much more. Maine Basketball Council: https://www.mainebasketballcouncil.org/

And they didn't steal a playoff spot from anyone either. John Morgan didn't think his first head coaching job would be the perennially cellar-dwelling Noble boys, but he embraced the challenge and in his third year led them to the school's first-ever Regional Final. We talk about building a culture from scratch, the value of players who take charge of leadership roles, the experience o...

Troy Barnies has had the kind of basketball career you dream about. I caught up with him to talk about playing overseas, keeping your body ready to play deep into you 30's, the importance of the shot clock, and soooo much more. Follow Troy on Twitter: https://twitter.com/TroyBarnies Sign the shot clock petition: https://www.change.org/p/give-maine-a-shot-clock

Hall of Fame broadcaster and voice of the Maine Women's Basketball team, Don Shields, joins me from Columbus as the Black Bears prepare to take on Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament. We talk about Maine's chances. Make sure you mute the TV and listen to Don's call of the game. Plus, we do a way-too-early look at next year's prospects for Oceanside, Medomak Valley, and the rest of th...

The brackets are out and we're only a couple of days away from them getting busted, so Sam Federman of Mid-Major Madness is here to sort it all out for you. Follow Sam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sam_Federman Brackets, Bubbles, and Bid Stealers: https://www.bracketsbubblesandbidstealers.com/ Mid-Major Madness: https://www.midmajormadness.com/

Once again, it's the time of year when we argue about shot clocks. So let's go over some of the hurdles and look at why they're really just bad excuses and not actual problems. Sign the petition: https://www.change.org/p/give-maine-a-shot-clock

If you've been anywhere near the internet this week, you've very likely seen a Maine high school basketball montage cut to David Barrett's classic "One Shining Moment". The edit was the brainchild of Fox Bangor's Tyler Krusz. The transplant from Rhode Island joins me to talk about the video, some of the best things he saw during Tourney Week in Bangor, adventures in sport...

This year's Mr. Basketball race is perhaps the closest ever and after none of the finalists finished with a Gold Ball, Adam Robinson returns to go over the resumes of Zach McLaughlin, Carter Galley, and Chance Mercier. Plus: We wildly speculate as to who might be on the selection committee. Looking at you, Steve. Subscribe to Adam's Substack: https://mainesportstoday.substack.com/ And to M...

Always controversial, the Mr. Basketball race is exceptionally close this year with what seems like 4 players for 3 finalist spots. We break down the state of the race as best we can, considering the internet kept cutting out, plus preview the Oceanside and Orono Gold Ball rematch. Follow Adam on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FunkFlashyRob

Cole and Thomas break down tourney week, discuss the Mr/Ms Maine Basketball finalists, and preview the class AA and A state title games coming up at the Cross Insurance Arena this Saturday.

It’s tourney time, which means it’s time for my annual picks against my spreadsheet!

Thomas Curtis and Cole Purvis are back to talk about the depth of the SoPo girls, the defensive mindset behind Joe Russo's Portland Bulldogs, and the chaos that was the Scarborough/Bonny Eagle double overtime instant classic.

Cole and Thomas recap Deering's big upset over Gorham, Maddie Fitzpatrick's unanimous Ms. Maine Basketball case, and everything else that AA had to offer last week.

Thomas and Cole are back on the mics to discuss Gorham knocking Windham off, the depth on the girls side of AA North, and upcoming games this week. 

Thomas and Cole discuss Gorham's big weekend, Cheverus' dominance, the Maine Event, and everything else that happened in AA last week.

Cole and Thomas recap the Scarborough/Cheverus games, question if the Cheverus girls can go 18-0, and preview upcoming AA clashes.