Nothing better than waking to another spectacular Maine day. Partly to mostly sunny, low to mid 70s, no humidity. Ideal for the Color War competitive arena and the great sportsmanship on display here, which is a hallmark of this annual competition.
As we approached the mid-point of Color War, Gray held a slight edge, but the taste of yesterday afternoon’s results remained fresh. Tuesday also marked the start of “songs & cheers” as the teams began a series of rehearsals in preparation for the most impactful evening of Color War, but more on that later.
At his team’s morning rally, Gray Captain Sam took the high road: “We’re still ahead. I believe in each and every one of you! Dig deeper! Continue to play smart and as hard as you can!” On the Red side, Captain Michael and his gang still trailed, but their confidence was flying off the charts: “We came back! Keep the pedal down! They feel us coming and we can’t be stopped!” Gray was determined to squelch the uprising and stay in front. Red now had the lead in sight and seemed set on making their move to the top today.
Gray got on the board quickly when their Lions made fast work of the Red in both Golf and Bocce, widening the margin. Red responded by dispatching the Gray just as easily in Juniors Tennis, then took a bit longer to claim victory in Sophomores Waterfront down at Trickey.
On the Upper Hoops Court, Gray Tigers won a nail-biter in Game One after Red’s last second shot to tie it went in and out and around the rim a few times, but did not drop. At the same time and just above on the Bunkline Gridiron, Red Freshmen were pouring it on in one of the two Football games, highlighted by a most spectacular, leaping one-handed TD catch by Sam P. Then moments later on the Rec Hall field, a few missed 2-point conversions were the difference as Red completed the Freshmen Football sweep with a 56-52 win. For the moment, only one-half (1/2) point separated the teams, with Red poised to grab the lead. But then Eli W highlighted a strong second half on the Lower Court, and Gray dominated the 3-on-3 game in the Gym to complete their own sweep of Tigers Basketball and keep Gray ahead.
Over at Sky II, the outmanned Red Stars were no match for Tosh and the talented Gray laxers despite the Herculean efforts by Jesse, who is already one of the best lacrosse goalies to ever play on Skylemar soil. The Seniors then played to a couple of draws in the most evenly matched contests on the Hockey court this year. Skylemar’s best, Jacob R, scored both goals for Red in the 2-2 first game tie, then watched teammate Henry S offset the early goal by Gray’s Will D to tie the 2nd as well, 1-1.
Red had come within an eyelash of the lead, but the resilient Gray held on as we broke for lunch/rehearsal and some rest.
The boys hustled back out to the fields and courts, with the Stars headed to Trickey where the teams split the Ski and Boating elements, and let the Swim Meet decide it …or not. After multiple individual races and a couple of medleys, the score ended up tied, resulting in the rare Waterfront split.
Gray golfers won 7 of 10 matches on the Links to win Freshmen Golf, but Red won Bocce in the Garden, the 4th straight Division match that went the distance.
In Seniors Lacrosse, twins Will and Harry faced off against each other and led both teams in the scoring column as Gray prevailed 9-5. The Gray Team also won both parts of Lions Tennis, then followed up with wins in a trifecta of Sophomores Basketball games. They rained several 3s to edge Gray in a tight one on the Upper Court, came back in the 2nd half on the Lower Court behind the rebounding and aggressive play from Judah, then cruised in game 3 in the Gym. (Gray went 6-0 in Hoops today…now that’s a wow!).
Down on the Snow Field, Red exhibited great team play in handling a talented Gray squad, 3-0 in Tigers Soccer. MVP goalkeeper Javi was sensational, stopping more than a few Gray breakaway chances in securing the shutout win.
And finally down at the Hockey Court, Red’s Juniors kept them right in the thick of it by winning both games. Will G (hat-trick) and Anders provided all the scoring to win the first, 5-2. Game Two had most of camp watching after all other events had been completed, creating an arena filled with Color War spirit and intensity from both sides as Red survived 2-1.
Gray remains slightly ahead now just past the midpoint, a perfect time for a break from the pace of the past few days. What better way to kick back and be entertained than by Suzie, Grace and the Skylemar Theatre Company production of “We Will Rock You”.
It’s amazing how those in the play figure out a way to learn lines and rehearse straight through the middle of Color War. There were over 25 actors and 30+ in the stage crew. It all happens because Skylemar has the greatest Drama Directors in the world, Suzie and Grace.
Special shout-outs to those who learned the most lines, and had the songs down perfectly: Sawyer, Hayes, Eli D, KJ, Cooper E, Ethan K, and Jake P. It was an incredible show!
