Nearing the halfway point of the season, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School winter sports teams are overcoming sluggish starts and finding their groove. Overtime victories and individual star performances have made for dramatic match-ups, and with postseason tournaments not far off, every game counts.

Coming off a dominant 3-0 victory against rival Nantucket this week, the boys hockey team’s (6-2-2) is growing in skill and confidence with the help of strong forward lines and a wall of experienced defensemen around the Vineyard net. The team’s toughest test, and most exciting game of the season so far, came against Silver Lake when a goal from senior Hunter Ponte in the final minute put the team up 7-6.

Mr. Mincone said he was also proud of his team’s resilience after going down 1-0 against Monomoy last Tuesday, but rallying to score three goals in the second period off the sticks of Zarba, Pete Gillis and senior Wilson Slayton. He added that the rest of the bench got playing time in the third period and contributed, with Logan Araujo and Kenneth Hatt striking in a pair of goals to put the final score at 5-1. He said the whole team played so well that Gillis and senior Ian Trance were awarded the rare co-players of the game.

“They support each other and it’s refreshing to see,” he said, adding that teammates tutor each other and 18 of the 22 students on the roster made the honor roll. “These guys gelled really quick. The team has created their own identity.”

The Vineyarders play next at home against league powerhouse Bishop Stang (8-0-1) on Saturday, Jan. 19.

Playing without their best player Lauren Boyd the last few games, the girls hockey team was dealt several tough losses in the last week putting their record at 2-7 on the season. Still, Coach John Fiorito said the team has shown grit and promise in each battle led by strong senior leadership from Hailey Meader, Meghan Sonia and Sally Caron. He added that younger players Ava BenDavid and Megan Zeilinger have stepped up in recent games. This weekend the team participates in 19th annual Nan Rheult hockey tournament. The Vineyarders will open the four-team invitational against Scituate, who they beat last year in a shootout.

“We’re moving in the right direction,” said Mr. Fiorito. “We’ll be better and better as the year goes on.”

A 62-41 loss against Nantucket on Saturday snapped a three-game win streak for the boys basketball team (4-4), but coach Mike Joyce said overall his players are getting better at sharing the ball and gelling on and off the court. He said 11 of the team’s 12 players put up points in a big win over Cape Cod Tech last week, led by 21 points from Solon Oliver coming off the bench and senior Owen Porterfield with 12 points. He also praised sophomores Mike Trusty and Rammon Dos Santos for putting up double digit points to help the Vineyarders pull ahead in the fourth quarter for a 66-52 win against Saint John Paul II.

“The young players are getting more confident and comfortable,” Mr. Joyce said. “Our focus and commitment during the game has been more sustained and consistent.”

The Vineyarders next home game is set for Thursday, Jan. 24 against Monomoy.

The girls basketball team (4-4) is on a two-game win streak after a victory over rival Nantucket at home Saturday 31-22 following a 44-33 win over Cape Cod Regional Tech on Tuesday where the Vineyarders charged ahead to a 16-0 lead after the opening whistle. Kylie Estrella was the Vineyarders standout Tueday, racking up 17 points to put her average points per game for the season in the double digits.

Coach Sterling Bishop also praised the performance by Sasha Lakis on the defensive end with 11 blocks and 13 rebounds. He said that though the team has struggled early on, he’s seen the team playing better together each game through the leadership of team captains Katherine O’Brien and Summer Cardoza, and putting up a fight to the last buzzer, no matter the deficit.

“They have a don’t quit attitude,” he said. “We’re going to turn the tables and see if we can get some easy baskets and create opportunities for ourselves.”

The next home game is scheduled for Thursday at 4:30 p.m. against Sturgis Charter School East.

The boys and girls track teams are already looking ahead to the postseason with the conference meet less than two weeks away. Some athletes have already secured spots in the divisional meet due to record-breaking performances that have led the boys to a 4-1 record and the girls to 5-1 with just one dual meet to go. Some of the teams’ top competitors include Nate Packer (shotput, 47’2’’, a league record); Peter Burke (mile, 4:43); Keaton Aliberti (third best long jump in the league); Mackenzie Condon (long jump, high jump, 55 meter hurdles — 16’2’’, 4’11’’, 8:99 seconds, all league records); Anabelle Biggs (third best long jump in the league as a freshman).

Coach Joe Schroeder also praised his “stacked” boys hurdles team consisting of senior JP Alves, Jojo Bonneau and Dash Christy, along with girl throwers Paige Pogue and Charlotte Packer, for giving the Vineyarders a strong chance at a top finish in the conference meet and beyond.

“We’re really trying to lay out some good times in these last meets,” he said.

Since the swim program began in 2010, no MVRHS team has ever finished the season with a winning record. That looks likely to change this year with the boys and girls teams combining for eight wins and four losses at the season’s halfway point.

Coach Jonathan Chatinover said he’s been most impressed with individual performances and growth from his most inexperienced swimmers, some as young as seventh grade. For the boys, he said freshmen Oliver Dorr (200 meter individual medley, 100 meter fly) and Ruairi Mullin (50 meter and 100 meter freestyle) are putting up faster times in each meet. He said the best swimmer on the team, though, is on the girls side where Gabby Carr has already qualified for the sectionals in four events: the 100 meter, 200 meter and 500 meter freestyle, and 100 meter fly.

“Kids are putting up best times and we’re seeing progress...we’re doing well,” said Mr. Chatinover. “That’s really what swimming’s about, dropping times.”

The next home swim meet for both teams against Coyle & Cassidy will be held on Thursday, Jan. 24 at the Vineyard YMCA pool starting at 3:15 p.m.