The Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School boys’ hockey team bounced back from a rough mid-season stretch to win big against Cambridge Rindge and Latin at home on Saturday, scoring five goals in the second period en route to an easy 8-0 win.

With the win the Vineyarders’ record stands at 8-3-2 on the season.

Meanwhile the boys’ basketball team lost a pair of games to drop their record to 4-11, officially eliminating them from the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament. While the Vineyarders started the season with promise (and a winning record), the team showed a frustrating propensity to blow big leads and lose games in the final minutes.

With the high school winter sports season entering the stretch run, only one team — boys’ hockey — appears to be headed to the postseason.

Boys’ Hockey

The boys’ hockey team has showed bursts of brilliance this season, but had their biggest offensive explosion on Saturday at home against the Falcons from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School, who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The Vineyarders out shot the Falcons 55-12 overall and scored five goals during the second period to break open the non-conference matchup. Tad Gold had a pair of goals and Jock Cooperrider, Matt Flynn and Chris Rasmussen each had two assists in the win. Junior Brooks Billingham scored his first varsity goal in the second period, while goalie Mike Capen was again stellar between the pipes.

The Vineyarders next play at home against Bourne tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Girls’ Basketball

Kia Minor led a dramatic come-from-behind win against Wayland last Saturday, helping her team overcome a ten-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 50-47. Minor had 19 points to lead the Vineyarders, while teammate Crystal Miske had 10 points and Katie Hines had eight.

On Tuesday the Vineyard played strongly again, and kept the game close until the final minutes before losing 55-50. Minor had 15 points and 14 boards, while Miske and Hines each had 13.

The girls’ record now stands at 4-10 on the season.

Boys’ Basketball

At times this season, the boys’ basketball team has looked like it can play with anyone — scoring at will, dominating on defense and passing the ball unselfishly. But other times, often in the same game, the team has played much differently — rushing shots, failing to pass the ball and playing below its potential.

Such was the case this week, when the Vineyarders finally broke a frustrating 10-game losing skid by beating Bishop Stang 72-68 at home Tuesday but lost two other games, effectively eliminating themselves from the playoffs.

The Vineyarders led 40-24 against Bishop Stang on Tuesday, and appeared as if they would win the game.

But then the team reverted to its sloppy ways, taking ill-advised shots and essentially shutting down the passing game. Their lead shrank to two points in the closing minutes. They needed Lamar Moreis to convert four free throws to seal the win, which he did.

Steve Handy had 19 points in the win, while Moreis and Jesse Swaringen each finished with 11.

The Vineyarders followed a different script at home on Sunday, falling behind big early before mounting a comeback to cut what was a 20-point deficit to only five. But the late game dramatics were not enough, and the Vineyarders lost by a final of 68-58. Handy finished with 21 points and Alex Poole had 13.

The Vineyarders also lost on the road at Wayland on Saturday, 78-68. Handy had 27 points in the loss.

Harlem Rockets

The Harlem Rockets Showtime Basketball team returns to the Vineyard next Friday to play a team of local all-stars in a game sponsored by the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School Hoop Club. Game time is 7 p.m. at the high school gymnasium.

Adult tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Student tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.

Baseball Fund-Raiser

Vineyard Baseball will host a horse-racing themed fundraiser Friday evening at 6 p.m. at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown. Tickets are $50.

Gary Simmons said local businesses can pay to be sponsors for an additional fee, which will give them the right to name the horses in the various races.

Proceeds from the event will go toward completing the new baseball field at the high school.

For tickets or information call Doug Reese at 508-696-3704.