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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
4-5 table of contents 8-9 2018 10-11 12-19
BOYS TOURNEY HISTORY
GIRLS TOURNEY HISTORY
Cover:
Members of Shead High School celebrate their Class D North title last season in Bangor BDN FILE
2018 MPA HS BASKETBALL TOURNEY SCHEDULE
STORIES
12-13.... Portland, Hampden remain favorites in ‘AA’, ‘A’ North boys basketball ranks Wyatt Foster of the Hodgdon varsity boys basketball team soars to the hoop. JOSEPH CYR | HOULTON PIONEER TIMES
14-15.... Houlton eyes Class C North title while Class B race is Wide open and SACS, Woodland contend in ‘D’ 16-17.... Hampden Academy, Skowhegan girls among favorites in Class A; Oxford Hills is ‘AA’ frontrunner 18-19.... Hermon, GSA loom as ‘B’, ‘C’ favorites; Woodland, Jonesport-Beals, Greenville top contenders in ‘D’
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
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Players, coaches share tourney memories COMPILED BY BANGOR DAILY NEWS SPORTS STAFF
Over, the years, the Bangor Daily News has chronicled many high school basketball tourney memories of coaches and players. We went into our archives to share some of those memories. Some good, some not so good. But, memories nonetheless. Van Buren’s Matt Rossignol: “It would probably have to be when we beat Schenck in 1985 to make it to the Eastern Maine [Class B] final. It put Van Buren in the Eastern Maine final for the first time,” said Rossignol. “Schenck [of East Millinocket] had a good ballclub and I remember our coach [Bob Hebert] worried that Schenck would slow the ball down on us. They knew I scored a lot and we had a high-scoring team. “But that was the last thing Schenck wanted to do. I was lucky enough to keep hitting that night. I finished with 51 points. It was one of those cliches you’ve heard Michael Jordan use about the basket looking so big. But it did that night.” Rossignol said, “My coach and my team had confidence in me and my teammates did a good job screening for me and getting me the ball in position where I could score.”
Cony of Augusta’s Kissy Walker: Walker recalled a double-overtime loss to Presque Isle in the Class A semifinals in 1981. “It was an exciting game. Presque Isle had Debbie Lennon that year. I wasn’t really a scorer, but I think I had 24 in that game,” said Walker, who was a point guard. “It was a Thursday night game and Bangor and Old Town was waiting to play after we did. The game went back and forth. Afterward, I thought about what we could have done to win.” “I was so exhausted after the game,” added Walker. “We didn’t get home until 3 a.m. and we had to go to school the next day. We wanted to skip, but we all made the effort and went to school.”
Central Aroostook of Mar Hill’s Julie Bradstreet: Bradstreet recalled losing to Schenck in the Eastern Maine Class C final in 1988. It was Bradstreet’s senior year. “I remember sitting there watching them cut the nets down after the game. People talked about it being me against Stephanie Carter. That was the big thing. Stephanie scored eight million points in that game. I played OK, but I didn’t play better than she did. The Auditorium was packed. Both sides were full. It was crazy.” Bradstreet added, “It was a great experience looking back at it now.”
Late Stearns of Millinocket coach George Wentworth: One season -- 1962-63 -- stood out from the other 30 for Wentworth. That was the only year a team from Maine won the New England Regional Championship. “That was probably the peak for me,” said Wentworth. “We lost to Bath in the state finals in double overtime, but two teams from Maine got to go that year.” As fate would have it, Connecticut was unable to send a team, so Stearns was extended an invitation to take its spot. “We beat Newport, Rhode Island, [Rogers High] in the first round and then had to play Rindge Tech [from Cambridge, Mass.] next,” said Wentworth. “We got permission to go and see the Celtics practice.” Wentworth and his previous teams had raised money to travel to Boston and attend the tourney in previous years, and had gotten to know late Celtics coach and general manager Arnold “Red” Auerbach pretty well. “He said, `It’s too bad you have to play Rindge. You’ve got a good little team, but nobody’s going to beat them,’ “ recalled Wentworth, chuckling. “After we beat Rindge, I had a great time talking to him.”
Late Mount Desert Island coach Bernard Parady: Parady retired in 1980 after compiling a record of 340-178 over a 26-year coaching career which spanned four state crowns and nine Eastern Maine titles. Amusing tourney memories? He has a lot, but one in particular still brings a laugh as he recalls it. “Our JV and varsity teams always traveled together on bus trips and my managers, who were pretty efficient, always took roll call. They’d say `All present and accounted for!’ when I got on. “Well, one day, we were going to the tourney and we didn’t have the JV team with us. I don’t know what happened, but we got beyond Ellsworth and I got up and looked around. I couldn’t find [starting guard] Jeff Hall. I thought he was taking a rest and laying down. “I said, `Where’s Jeff Hall?’ Nobody answered. I asked a few more times and one of the guys finally said, `Last time I saw him, he was in the bathroom in the gym.’ I said, `Why didn’t anyone say anything?’ and they said, `Well, after we got going, we didn’t dare to tell you.” Parady called the gym and talked to a custodian. “He said, `There’s a kid who’s gone around the building three times and he’s going nuts.’ [Hall] thought it was a joke. He was pretty red-faced when he arrived. Either his family or someone got him up there. I never did find out, but we never left anyone behind again.”
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
BDN All-Tourney boys basketball teams * WILLIAM C. WARNER MVP
2017 CLASS A • Nathan Violette* (Messalonskee) • James Kouletsis (Messalonskee) • Michael Norton Jr. (Oceanside) • Cooper Wirkala (Oceanside) • Jordan Roddy (Cony) CLASS B • Riley Swanson* (MDI) • Graham Good (MDI) • Nate Desisto (Orono) • Isaac Varney (Hermon) • Ethan Mailman (Central) CLASS C • Taylor Schildroth* (GSA) • Max Mattson (GSA) • Chris Giberson (Fort Fairfield) • Isaac Cyr (Fort Fairfield)
• Justin Thompson (Schenck) CLASS D • James Mersereau* (Machias) • Jordan Grant (Machias) • Nolan Altvater (Southern Aroostook) • Jackson Mathers (Southern Aroostook) • Jacob Flewelling (Easton)
2016 CLASS AA • Andrew Fleming* (Oxford Hills) • Amir Moss (Portland) • Terion Moss (Portland) • Malik White (Deering) • Griffin Foley (Portland) CLASS A • Keenan Hendricks* (Oceanside) • Nicholas DePatsy (Medomak Valley)
• Nick Mazurek (Oceanside) • Cameron Allaire (Medomak Valley) • Nick Gilpin (Hampden Acad.) CLASS B • Bruce St. Peter* (Ellsworth) • Bryce Harmon (Ellsworth) • Donovan Savage (Caribou) • Jake Koffman (Orono) • Nick Bagley (Ellsworth) CLASS C • Taylor Schildroth* (George Sevens) • Tyler Pye (Bucksport) • Justin Thompson (Schenck) • Jimmy Buzzell (Hodgdon) • Nick Szwez (George Stevens) CLASS D • Jacob Doody* (Easton) • Jacob Godfrey (Machias)
• Jackson Mathers (Southern Aroostook) • Logan Halvorson (Easton) • Jake Flewelling (Easton)
2015 CLASS A • Nick Gilpin* (Hampden) • Brendan McIntyre (Hampden) • Isaiah Harris (Lewiston) • Trever Irish (Lewiston) • Nick Mayo (Messalonskee) CLASS B • Nicholas DePatsy* (Medomak Valley) • Justin Martin (Winslow) • Micah Williamson (Medomak Valley) • Eric Hoogterp (Old Town) • Riley Swanson (Mount Desert Island)
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
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Matt Rossignol (44) of Van Buren scores over the defense of Bruce Blackstone (24) of Schenck of East Millinocket in a February 1985 Class B semifinal at the Bangor Auditorium. Schenck’s Gary Lynch (12) comes in to help. Rossignol scored 51 points as Van Buren won 97-85 to advance to the Eastern Maine final. BDN FILE
CLASS C • Tyler Niles* (Calais) • Kyle Bouchard (Houlton) • Andre Paul (Calais) • Nate DeSisto (Orono) • Kyle Johnson (Calais) CLASS D • Chris Giberson* (Fort Fairfield) • Hunter Beaulieu (Fort Fairfield) • Logan Wood (Machias) • Robbie Watson (Fort Fairfield) • Cameron Bragg (Washburn)
2014 CLASS A • Zach Gilpin* (Hampden) • Nick Gilpin (Hampden) • Andrew Fleming (Oxford Hills)
• Blake Gordon (Brunswick) • Isaiah Bess (Hampden) CLASS B • Garvey Melmed* (Old Town) • Dayne Savage (Caribou) • Tyler Thayer (Hermon) • Adam Richardson (Old Town) • Nick Bagley (Ellsworth) CLASS C • Kyle Bouchard* (Houlton) • Trevor Lyford (Penquis) • Cherif Fall (Lee) • Kyle Johnson (Calais) • Nick Guiod (Houlton) CLASS D • Chris Hudson* (Hodgdon) • Jacob Rioux (Van Buren) • Cameron Landry (Southern Aroostook)
• Hunter Turner (Easton) • Nolan Altvater (So. Aroostook)
2013 CLASS A • Zach Gilpin* (Hampden) • Spencer Carey (Lawrence) • Xavier Lewis (Lawrence) • Quin Leary (Edward Little) • Nick Gilpin (Hampden) CLASS B • John Murray* (Medomak Valley) • Ryan Ripley (Medomak Valley) • Jonathan Phelps (MDI) • Adam Gray (MDI) • Ryan Rebar (Foxcroft) CLASS C • Isaiah Bess* (Penquis )
• Trevor Lyford (Penquis) • Kyle Bouchard (Houlton) • Devin Hall (Calais) • Nick Guiod (Houlton) CLASS D • Steven Decker* (Central Aroostook) • Chris Hudson (Hodgdon) • Joe Stiles (CAHS) • Chandler Brewer (CAHS) • Mitch Worcester (Washburn)
The complete All-Tourney teams can be found at
goo.gl/MvWem7
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
BDN All-Tourney girls basketball teams * OWEN OSBORNE MVP
2017 CLASS A Sophie Holmes* (Messalonskee) McKenna Brodeur (Messalonskee) Ally Turner (Messalonskee) Chelsea Crockett (Nokomis) Sidney Moore (Nokomis) CLASS B • Kolleen Bouchard* (Houlton) • Rylee Warman (Houlton) • Emi Higgins (Hermon) • Abby Simpson (Foxcroft Academy) • Emily Wheaton (Presque Isle) CLASS C • Megan Peach* (Dexter) • Abby Webber (Dexter) • Morgan Dauk (George Stevens Academy) • Emma Alley (Stearns) • • • • •
• Erin Speed (Piscataquis Community) CLASS D • Holly Preston* (Shead) • Madison Greenlaw (Shead) • Kylie Vining (Southern Aroostook) • Kassidy Mathers (Southern Aroostook) • Isabelle Morin (Easton)
2016 CLASS AA • Emily Jacques* (Edward Little) • Jordyn Reynolds (Edward Little) • Tianna Sugars (Oxford Hills) • Tasia Titherington (Deering) • Karli Stubbs (Edward Little) CLASS A • Nia Irving* (Lawrence) • Sophie Holmes (Messalonskee)
• Dominique Lewis (Lawrence) • Lauren Chadwick (Gardiner) • McKenna Brodeur (Messalonskee) CLASS B • Kolleen Bouchard* (Houlton) • Emi Higgins (Hermon) • Heather Kervin (Winslow) • Emily Wheaton (Presque Isle) • Natalie Hill (Houlton) CLASS C • Kelli Kennedy* (Narraguagus) • Sami Ireland (Penobscot Valley) • Amy Hallett (PVHS) • Chelsey Pelkey (Fort Fairfield) • Kayla Toppin (Narraguagus) CLASS D • Cierra Seeley* (Shead) • Tate Dolley (Machias)
• Holly Preston (Shead) • Karli Levesque (Central Aroostook) • Emmy Churchill (Washburn)
2015 CLASS A • Nia Irving* (Lawrence) • Mary Butler (Bangor) • Dominique Lewis (Lawrence) • Julia Champagne (Brunswick) • Paige Belanger (Lawrence) CLASS B • Hannah Graham* (Presque Isle) • Krystal Kingsbury (Presque Isle) • Morgan Carver (Gardiner) • Rachel Pease (Camden Hills) • Mary Toman (Gardiner)
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
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Schenck High School’s Stephanie Carter puts up a shot during an Eastern Maine Class C tourney game at the Bangor Auditorium in February 1989. Carter was a three-time BDN All-Tourney selection from 1987-1989. BDN FILE
CLASS C • Kolleen Bouchard* (Houlton) • Michaela White (Dexter) • Katie Condon (Houlton) • Maddy McVicar (Calais) • Megan Peach (Dexter) CLASS D • Mackenzie Worcester* (Washburn) • Joan Overman (Washburn) • Chelsey Pelkey (Fort Fairfield) • Megan Jellison (Fort Fairfield) • Emmy Churchill (Washburn)
2014 CLASS A • Mikayla Morin* (Oxford Hills) • Anna Winslow (Oxford Hills) • Emily Quirion (Cony)
• Taylor Johnson (Skowhegan) • Miranda Nicely (Mt. Blue) CLASS B • Hannah Shaw* (Mount Desert Island) • Kelsey Shaw (MDI) • Taylor Shaw (Nokomis) • Hannah Graham (Presque Isle) • Brianna Skolfield (Foxcroft) CLASS C • Maddy McVicar* (Calais) • Paige Gillespie (Calais) • Katie Condon (Houlton) • Hannah Clement (Orono) • Elea Kass (Orono) CLASS D • Parise Rossignol* (Van Buren) • Carmen Bragg (Washburn) • Carsyn Koch (Washburn)
• Mackenzie Worcester (Washburn) • Morgan Thompson (Schenck)
2013 CLASS A • Cordelia Stewart* (Bangor) • Mary Butler (Bangor) • Denae Johnson (Bangor) • Josie Lee (Cony) • Mallory Nelson (Mt. Ararat) CLASS B • Chandler Guerrette* (Presque Isle) • Megan Ireland (Presque Isle) • Jordan Knowlton (Camden Hills) • Hannah Shaw (MDI) • Anna Mackenzie (Nokomis) CLASS C • Maddy McVicar* (Calais)
• Taylor Blood (Mattanawcook) • Meagan Cavanaugh (Calais) • Jillian Woodward (Orono) • Kelli Kennedy (Narraguagus) CLASS D • Carmen Bragg* (Washburn) • Kristin Thompson (Schenck) • Morgan Thompson (Schenck) • Mackenzie Worcester (Washburn) • Mariah Wiley (Hodgdon)
The complete All-Tourney teams can be found at
goo.gl/NdX6ZN
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
MPA high school basketball tournament schedule
2018 BOYS NORTH
QUARTERFINALS Friday, Feb. 16 At Cross Center, Bangor
Class B
B1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 At Augusta Civic Center
Class A
A1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 4 p.m. A2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 5:30 p.m. A3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 8 p.m. A4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 9:30 p.m. At Cross Center, Bangor
D4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:35 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 At Cross Center, Bangor
At Cross Center, Bangor
At Cross Arena, Portland
Class D
Class A
C1 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 2:05 p.m. C2 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 3:35 a.m.
D5 — D1 winner vs. D2 winner, 7:05 p.m. D6 — D3 winner vs. D4 winner, 8:35 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23 At Cross Center, Bangor
North champion vs. South champion, 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 2 At Cross Arena, Portland
At Cross Arena, Portland
Class C
Class C
SEMIFINALS Class AA
AA5 — AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 2 p.m. AA6 — AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21
QUARTERFINALS
At Cross Center, Bangor
Class C C3 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9:35 a.m. C4 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11:05 a.m.
SEMIFINALS
C5 — C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 7:05 p.m. C6 — C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 8:35 p.m.
Class AA North champion vs. South champion, 9 p.m. At Cross Center, Bangor
Class B
At Cross Arena, Portland
North champion vs. South champion, 8:35 p.m. Saturday, March 3 At Augusta Civic Center
Class AA
Class D
AA7 — A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 6:30 p.m. At Augusta Civic Center
North champion vs. South champion, 2:45 p.m.
Class A
North champion vs. South champion, 8:45 p.m.
FINALS
Class C
SOUTH
At Augusta Civic Center
A7 — A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 At Cross Center, Bangor
Class A
Class D
A5 — A1 winner vs. A2 winner, 7 p.m. A6 — A3 winner vs. A4 winner, 8:30 p.m. At Cross Center, Bangor
D7 — D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 10:35 a.m.
Friday, Feb. 16 At Portland Expo
Class B
Class A
B7 — B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 3:35 p.m.
Class D
Class B
Class C
D1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9:30 a.m. D2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11:05 a.m. D3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7:05 p.m.
B5 — B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 7:05 p.m. B6 — B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 8:35 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22
C7 — C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 8:35 p.m.
A3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 6 p.m. A4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 At Portland Expo
Class B
SEMIFINALS
B2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 9:05 a.m. B3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 1:35 p.m. B4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 4:35 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 At Cross Center, Bangor
STATE FINALS
Thursday, March 1
QUARTERFINALS
Class B
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018 B1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 10 a.m. B2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11:30 a.m. B3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 2:30 p.m. B4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 4 p.m.
Class A A1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 7 p.m. A2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 8:30 p.m. At Augusta Civic Center
Class D D1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 8:30 a.m. D2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 10 a.m. D3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 11:30 a.m. D4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 At Augusta Civic Center
Class C C1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 2:30 p.m. C2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 4 p.m. C3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7 p.m. C4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Tuesday, Feb. 20 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class AA AA5 — AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 6:30 p.m. AA6 — AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class A A5: A1 winner vs. A2 winner, 6 p.m. A6: A3 winner vs. A4 winner, 7:30 p.m. At Augusta Civic Center
Class D D5 — D1 winner vs. D2 winner, 10 a.m. D6 — D3 winner vs. D4 winner, 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class B B5: B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 6 p.m. B6: B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 7:30 p.m. At Augusta Civic Center
Class C C5 — C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 7 p.m. C6 — C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 8:30 p.m.
FINALS
Friday, Feb. 23 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class AA AA7 — AA5 winner vs. AA6 winner, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class B B7 — B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 2:45 p.m.
Class A A7 — A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 8 p.m. At Augusta Civic Center
Class D D7 — D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 2:45 p.m.
Class C
FINALS
C7 — C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 8:45 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 23 At Cross Arena, Portland
GIRLS NORTH
QUARTERFINALS
Class AA AA7 — AA5 winner vs. AA6 winner, 2 p.m. At Augusta Civic Center
Class A A7 — A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 16 At Augusta Civic Center
SEMIFINALS
Class A
Class C
A1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 3 p.m. A2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 4:30 p.m. A3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7 p.m. A4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:30 p.m. At Cross Center, Bangor
C5 — C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 2:05 p.m. C6 — C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 3:35 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24
Class B
Class D
B1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 5 p.m. B2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 At Cross Center, Bangor
D7 — D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 9:05 a.m.
Class B
C7 — C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 7:05 p.m.
B3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 10:35 a.m. B4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 3:05 p.m.
At Cross Center, Bangor
FINALS
At Cross Center, Bangor
Class B B7 — B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 2:05 p.m.
Class C
STATE FINALS
Class D
Thursday, March 1 At Cross Arena, Portland
D1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 7:35 p.m. D2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 9:05 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19 At Cross Center, Bangor
Class A North champion vs. South champion, 6 p.m. Friday, March 2 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class D
Class AA
D3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 2:05 p.m. D4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 3:35 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 At Cross Center, Bangor
North champion vs. South champion, 6 p.m. At Cross Center, Bangor
Class C C1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9:30 a.m. C2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11:05 a.m. C3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7:05 p.m. C4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:35 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
Wednesday, Feb. 21 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class AA
Class B North champion vs. South champion, 7:05 p.m. Saturday, March 3 At Augusta Civic Center
Class D North champion vs. South champion, 1:05 p.m.
Class C North champion vs. South champion, 7:05 p.m.
SOUTH
QUARTERFINALS
D4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 11:30 a.m.
Class C C1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 2:30 p.m. C2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 4 p.m. C3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7 p.m. C4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:30 p.m. At Portland Expo
Class B B1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 10 a.m. B2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11:30 a.m. B3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 1 p.m. B4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 2:30 p.m.
SEMIFINALS
At Cross Arena, Portland
Class AA AA5 — AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 10 a.m. AA6 — AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class A A5 — A1 winner vs. A2 winner, 10 a.m. A6 — A3 winner vs. A4 winner, 11:30 a.m.
Class AA AA5 — AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 2 p.m. AA6 — AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 3:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 At Augusta Civic Center
Class D D5 — D1 winner vs. D2 winner, 10 a.m. D6 — D3 winner vs. D4 winner, 11:30 a.m.
Class C C5 — C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 2:30 p.m. C6 — C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 4 p.m. At Cross Arena, Portland
Class B B5 — B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 1 p.m. B6 — B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 2:30 p.m.
FINALS
Friday, Feb. 23 At Cross Arena, Portland
Class AA AA7 — AA5 winner vs. AA6 winner, 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24 At Augusta Civic Center
AA5 — AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 10 a.m. AA6 — AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 11:30 a.m. At Augusta Civic Center
Monday, Feb. 19 At Augusta Civic Center
Class A
D1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 10 a.m. D2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11:30 a.m. At Cross Arena, Portland
Class C
Class A
Class B B7 — B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 1 p.m.
Class D
A1 — No. 3 vs. No. 6, 1 p.m. A2 — No. 2 vs. No. 7, 2:30 p.m. A3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 6 p.m. A4 — No. 1 vs. No. 8, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20 At Augusta Civic Center
D5 — D1 winner vs. D2 winner, 2:05 p.m. D6 — D3 winner vs. D4 winner, 3:35 p.m.
D3 — No. 4 vs. No. 5, 10 a.m.
A5 — A1 winner vs. A2 winner, 2:30 p.m. A6 — A3 winner vs. A4 winner, 8:30 p.m. At Cross Center, Bangor
Class B B5 — B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 2:05 p.m. B6 — B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 3:35 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 At Cross Center, Bangor
Class D
Class D
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Class D D7 — D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 1:05 p.m. C7 — C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 7:05 p.m. At Cross Arena, Portland
Class A A7 — A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 6 p.m.
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
Portland, Hampden remain favorites in ‘AA,’ ‘A’ North boys basketball ranks BY ERNIE CLARK I BDN STAFF
Ian McIntyre of Hampden Academy Two of the state’s dominant large-school programs of the young century — Portland passes to teammate Thomas Raye during a Class A North quarterfinal at and Hampden Academy — are poised to extend their runs of success into the 2018 boys the Augusta Civic Center last February. basketball tournament. Hampden is on another Class A North Portland has scored four state championships and six regional titles since 2000 — title quest this season. including the first two Class AA crowns of the five-class statewide format that was BDN FILE instituted in 2016 — and has backed up its preseason favorite’s status this winter with a strong regular season good for first place in the Class AA North Heal Points. Hampden Academy, winner of three Class A state titles and six regional championships since 2005, has used a similar blend of talent, depth, tradition and veteran coaching to position itself in a familiar spot — atop the Class A North standings for the outset of postseason play. Of course, there are plenty of motivated challengers in each division motivated to replace those top seeds. Portland is bidding to appear in its fifth consecutive state final, having split Class A victories with Hampden in 2014 and 2015 and defeating South Portland in both the 2016 and 2017 Class AA championship games. This year’s Bulldogs feature arguably the state’s top player in senior Terion Moss, a 5-11 BDN All-Maine guard who can create his own offense when needed — he reached his teammates, including senior forward Griffin Foley and junior guards Pedro Fonseca 1,000 points earlier this season — but is just as much at home creating opportunities for and Emmanuel Yugu. Those chasing Portland in Class AA North are led by Edward Little of Auburn, which rebounded from a three-game losing streak early in the season to work its way toward the top of the division behind sharp-shooting Darby Shea and forwards Wol Maiwen and Ibn Khalid, a transfer from Lewiston. Oxford Hills of South Paris, Bangor and Windham spent the late stages of the regular season battling for third and fourth place in the region — and the right to play regional tournament quarterfinals on their home courts before the AA playdown moves to the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Oxford Hills overcame the transfer loss of BDN All-Maine forward Matt Fleming to Bangor to battle its way into contention behind a balanced attack that includes junior forward Colton Carson. Fleming has emerged as one of the state’s top scorers in his new home while leading the senior-less Rams to a solid campaign under veteran coach Carl Parker, with junior guards Damien Vance and Noah Missbrenner and sophomore wing Henry Westrich providing Bangor a potent top four.
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018 And Windham is ever-dangerous with one of the state’s best guard tandems in seniors Nick Curtis — a 1,000-point scorer — and Thomas College-bound Mike Gilman. All eight Class AA North schools, including Deering and Cheverus of Portland and Lewiston, will qualify for regional postseason play. Hampden, the preseason coaches’ pick to win it all in Class A North, has done nothing to diminish that standing during the regular season. “Obviously we are excited that tourney time is right around the corner,” said Broncos’ coach Russ Bartlett. “I feel like we have been pretty consistent this season on both ends of the floor.” Hampden features a definitive on-court leader in 6-foot-5 senior center Ian McIntyre, a rare four-year starter for the Broncos who earned BDN All-Maine recognition as a junior and this winter has surpassed 1,000 career points. With a nucleus returned largely intact from the 2017 team that was upset by Cony of Augusta in the regional quarterfinals, the Broncos have an experienced nucleus surrounding McIntyre that is similarly motivated to return the program to the championship level. That group includes senior guard Johnny Wolfington, senior forward Tommy Raye, junior guard Kory Winch and sophomore guard Bryce Lausier. “We have real good balance in our starting lineup with all five guys averaging almost 10 points or more,” said Bartlett. Hampden’s biggest regional threat may be its final regular-season opponent, the Nokomis Warriors. Coach Ryan Martin’s club shook off a series of narrow early losses that left the Newport squad 4-5 at the midpoint of its schedule to surge up the standings behind the leadership of talented senior guards Josh Smestad and Zach Hartsgrove, the latter a 1,000-point scorer. “Our group plays extremely hard for each other, and we will need to continue to do that
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as we enter a tournament field that is filled with talented teams that are well coached,” said Martin, whose club reached the 2017 quarterfinals as the No. 6 seed before dropping a hard-fought 53-49 decision to No. 3 Oceanside of Rockland. “We also need to build from last year’s tournament experience. We know what it feels like to get there and lose a tough game.” But the Warriors are among a bevy of teams that could advance deep into the Class A North tournament, including a Skowhegan squad that went in No. 8 last year and knocked off top-seeded Medomak Valley of Waldoboro in the quarters. Coach Tom Nadeau’s current edition has several key players tournament-tested by that experience, among them sturdy junior forward Marcus Christopher and senior guard Cam Barnes. Camden Hills of Rockport, long a perennial power in Class B, has had a solid comeback season after going 2-16 and 5-13 in its first two years in Class A with senior captain Noah Heidorn leading the way for coach Jeff Hart’s Windjammers. Another team on the rise is Cony, which as the No. 7 seed last winter joined Skowhegan in turning the tables on the regular-season standings with a quarterfinal victory. Coach T.J. Maines’ club has one of the region’s top players in senior Jordan Roddy to lead a veteran nucleus. Erskine Academy of South China, Medomak Valley and a dangerous Gardiner team also were in the playoff picture late in the regular season, with defending regional champion Messalonskee of Oakland, Brewer and Lawrence of Fairfield also hoping to score the late-season victories that would push them up the Heal Point rankings and on to the Augusta Civic Center. The top eight finishers in Class A North advance directly to the regional quarterfinals. “With a few teams that ended up with five or six losses, it shows you that there is some parity heading into the tournament and that anyone could have a memorable tournament run,” said Martin.
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
Houlton eyes Class C North title; Class B race is wide open; So. Aroostook, Woodland contend in ‘D’ BY LARRY MAHONEY | BDN STAFF
With three consecutive regional championships, a drop from Class B to C and BDN AllMaine Schoolgirl Basketball first-teamer Kolleen Bouchard running the show, it would appear the Houlton High School Shiretowners are the overwhelming favorites to represent Class C North in the state championship game this season. They lost in the Class B state title game to Gray-New Gloucester 35-31 a year ago after winning the state championship the previous two years. They won it in Class B in 2015-16 after doing so in C in 2014-15. But Houlton coach Shawn Graham isn’t taking anything for granted. “Teams are playing with us more so this year than in the past,” said Graham. “There’s no doubt there is plenty of competition for us to worry about.” One of those teams is Central of Corinth, which also dropped from Class B to Class C this season. But Central coach Jamie Russell, whose Red Devils lost to Houlton 55-45 and 52-39, said the Shires remain the team to beat “by far. “Number one, they have the best player around (Bouchard). But she also has other (good) players around her and she uses them well,” said Russell. “She only had two points at halftime
Kolleen Bouchard of the Houlton Shiretowners finishes a fast-break layup as Presque Isle’s Kasey Haley comes from behind during a game in January at Presque Isle High School. KEVIN SJORBERG | STAR-HERALD
against us (in the 52-39 game). She didn’t take many shots. She passed to her other players. “(Aspen) Flewelling is a good shooter. (Teagan) Ewings has done a nice job against us as has the (Kristen) Graham girl. They’re all very selective. And we can’t turn them over because they take care of the basketball,” said Russell. “They are also very, very underrated, defensively. They do a real good job shutting people down. We were one and done at both ends of the court,” he added. Bouchard is averaging over 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals a game. Ewings has averaged 11 points per game, Graham considers Flewelling a “great 3-point shooter” and his daughter Kristen is starting to get to full strength and mobility strength after offseason knee surgery. Graham feels Central is one of the best teams in C. “(Guard) Sydney Allen is a game-changer. She is explosive. She is extremely quick off the dribble,” said Graham. “She’s also a great defender.” Allen, a 1,000-point scorer for her career, is averaging 16 points per game and sophomore center Emilee Cohen has produced 11 points and five rebounds per game. Abigail Allen, Sydney’s sister, is averaging 10 points. Graham also expects Dexter, the defending regional champ, and Narraguagus of Harrington to be in the mix. “I hear good things about Narraguagus. They put up a lot of points,” said Graham, who also noted that Dexter coach Jody Grant has a “pretty decent three-guard set” and that the staple of his teams have been “player-to-player defense.” “Dexter gave us two real good games,” said Russell. “They are defense-oriented and Jody’s daughter (freshman guard Peyton Grant) is one of the best players in the league. She can score and she’s very patient.” Russell said Piscataquis Community High of Guilford “scares me. The Speed girl (Erin) is very, very good at the point and Alivia Hunt is tough inside.” The run-and-gun Knights of Narraguagus have averaged over 60 points per game with a balanced attack led by their only senior, point guard Madison Leighton. Stearns, led by Peighton Ingersoll and Katherine Alley, has had a solid campaign as has Madawaska, featuring Jenna Dugal. In Class D, a motivated band of Southern Aroostook Community School Warriors from Dyer Brook is eager to go at least one step further after losing in the regional final to Shead of Eastport last season. And they would appear to be a solid favorite with their only two losses being to Houlton, including a five-point setback. But coach Cliff Urquhart said Woodland is “definitely the team to beat in Class D.”
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018 Woodland dropped down to D from C this season. “They’re big and strong, they rebound well and they have some kids who can shoot,” said Urquhart, who was particularly impressed by 5-10 freshman center Emily Curtis. Curtis is averaging 12 points and 10 rebounds a game, guard Jennie Cox is also in the 12 ppg range and Calais transfer Katie Erskine is helping Curtis under the boards with 10 rebounds per game. Cox is one of four players who also started last year along with Sadie Smith, Brooke Russell and Shaye Beers. Urquhart also pointed out that Woodland has the benefit of playing a significantly tougher schedule than his team. “They play primarily a C schedule. They’re battle-tested,” he said. The Warriors do not have a senior on their roster but have four three-year starters in Kylie Vining, Sydney Brewer, Kassidy Mathers and Makaelyn Porter and the other starter is freshman center Kacy Daggett, who started as an eighth grader last season. Urquhart feels a team that could be a factor is Schenck of East Millinocket. “They could surprise some people. They play a tough schedule, they’re very guardoriented and to pull off an upset you‘ve got to be a little guard-oriented and shoot the ball well,” said Urquhart. Allison Noddin and Samantha Falone are Schenck’s catalysts. Deer Isle-Stonington, behind Lily Gray, Katie Hutchinson and Rylee Eaton, cruised through the regular season and would be another legitimate contender. Class B is wide open with any number of teams vying to capture the regional title. “There are six or seven teams who could win it,” said Hermon coach Chris Cameron. “There are a lot of good teams.” “It’s going to be a very, very interesting tournament,” said Mount Desert Island coach Brent Barker. “It will come down to who is playing the best basketball that week.” The results were topsy-turvy with plenty of examples of low seeds either knocking off higher seeds or taking them down to the wire. Orono, which was fighting for 11th place and the final tournament preliminary slot,
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upset John Bapst of Bangor, which was among the top two seeds all season. John Bapst, under first-year coach Chris Woodside, has All-Maine honorable mention guard Crystal Bell and versatile forward Grace Philippon and the Crusaders have forced a ton of turnovers with its full-court press and impressive depth. Hermon took Houlton to overtime in the semifinals a year ago and is another contender but the Hawks lost the services of junior forward Caitlynn Tracy to a broken wrist. Tracy was averaging nearly a double-double (points-rebounds). But the Hawks still have plenty of weapons. Gifted, hardworking senior Lauren Plissey is averaging 13 points, 12 rebounds, five blocked shots, two assists and two steals and Alex Allain is a veteran point guard. Guard Maddie Pullen came on strong at the end of the season as have Madi Curtis and Grace Page. Mount Desert Island swept the series from Presque Isle and has a junior-laden team that could peak at the tournament. Guard-forward Maddy Candage, forward-center Madeleine Good and guard Julia Watras and Alexis Clarito are the juniors in the starting lineup along with senior forward Emily Banks. Candage has been the leading scorer and six of MDI’s top seven players stand at least 5-10 which will make the Trojans a tough matchup. All-Maine third teamer Emily Wheaton is having a terrific senior season for Presque Isle, including notching her 1,000th career point. Christina Skidgel and Savannah Rodriguez have complemented her on a deep team that can use nine players. Maine Central Institute has been one of the real surprise teams behind four-year starters April McAlpine and Sydney Morton and is very much in the hunt as is perennial contender Winslow, which has been paced by Weslee Littlefield, Paige Trask and Haley Ward. Ellsworth, led by Trinity Montigny, Hannah Sargent and Katelynn Bagley, had an upset win over John Bapst and could be a sleeper as could Caribou, which is led by guards Gabrielle Marquis and Searra Herbert. Waterville and Oceanside also have some impressive wins and Orono, under head coach John Donato, has improved and has been competitive.
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
Hampden Academy, Skowhegan girls among favorites in Class A; Oxford Hills is ‘AA’ frontrunner BY LARRY MAHONEY
The Hampden Academy Broncos reached the Class A North semifinals a year ago where they lost to Bangor Daily News All-Maine Schoolgirl Basketball first-team guard Sophie Holmes and her Messalonskee High School Eagles from Oakland. Messalonskee went on to have an undefeated season and claim their first state championship since they captured the Class B crown in 1987. Holmes graduated and the Broncos have avenged that loss with a pair of regular-season victories over the Eagles this season en route to establishing themselves as one of the favorites for the upcoming Class A North tournament. “Hampden has shown it can play with anyone,” said Messalonskee coach Keith Derosby. “They have had some real big wins and they’ve got the Gilpin girl (Marissa) coming back from injury.” Senior guard Gilpin was sidelined with a broken thumb for six weeks. Derosby said Skowhegan is another favorite. “Hampden and Skowhegan had just about everybody back off last year’s team,” said Derosby. Hampden Academy and Skowhegan split regular-season games and spent the season atop the Heal Points standings.
Hampden Academy’s Bailey Donovan (center) tries for two past Messalonskee’s Allyssa Turner (left) and McKenna Brodeur during a game in Hampden in January 2017. Donovan is leading Hampden’s Class A North tourney hopes. BDN FILE
But first-year HA coach Nick Winchester said any number of teams could emerge with the title. “If you don’t come ready to play, you put yourself at risk for an unfortunate ending,” said Winchester. “Any team can knock out just anyone else.” “Every night is a challenge,” agreed Derosby. Winchester inherited a senior-laden team and the Broncos have been stingy, limiting teams to 40 points or less in over 70 percent of their games. “We’re a very good defensive team. That has been our mainstay all year long ,” said Winchester. “Hampden has shooters and size,” said Derosby. Hampden Academy’s 6-foot-3 junior center, Bailey Donovan, is one of the division’s most dominant centers, averaging 16 points and 11 rebounds. And she is surrounded by an impressive supporting cast including seniors Brooklynn Scott, Braylee Wildman, Peyton Smith, Sophia Narofsky and Gilpin along with sophomore Alydia Brillant. Scott, Brillant and Narofsky average between seven and nine points per game, according to Winchester. Derosby feels his Eagles are capable of vying for a repeat thanks to the play of 6-1 forward Gabrielle Wener (15 ppg, 6.5 rpg) and 5-11 senior guard Allyssa Turner (12 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5 apg), an All-Maine honorable mention last year. “Gabrielle is the real deal and Ally runs the floor incredibly well and can play all five positions,” said Derosby. “Wener presents (matchup) challenges,” said Winchester. “She’s 6-1, she can stretch the floor, she can hit the 3 or get to the basket.” Winchester added that Messalonskee has an advantage “because they know what it takes to go all the way to a state (championship) game.” Skowhegan has a big-time scorer in 5-10 forward Annie Cook and she has a top-notch supporting cast including fellow juniors Sydney Ames and Sydney Reed. “Cook is special. She’s a real good basketball player,” said Winchester. “She is very good from 15 feet and in.” “Skowhegan is experienced and tough and they play well in the half-court. They do a lot of fundamental things well,” said Winchester.
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018 Lawrence of Fairfield had wins over Hampden Academy and Messalonskee and is another prime contender. “They have some good shooters,” said Derosby. “Camryn Caldwell is a legitimate 3-point shooter. Brooklynn Lambert can handle the ball and play inside and she can shoot.” Winchester said Lawrence sophomore guard Megan Curtis “makes their engine go. She’s a dynamic player.” Keagan Alley is another productive guard for Lawrence. Medomak Valley of Waldoboro will be in the mix thanks to high-scoring 5-11 guardforward Gabby DePatsy and 5-11 sophomore forward Sadie Cohen. “{DePatsy is] a difference-maker. She does so much for that team. She can step inside strong, she can rebound, she can hit the 3. And Cohen is a good player,” Derosby said. “DePatsy is an explosive scorer,” said Winchester. “She has unlimited range.” The Brewer Witches overcame an 0-4 start to establish themselves as a threat thanks to wins over Lawrence, Nokomis of Newport, Gardiner, Messalonskee and Class AA Bangor. Brewer is looking for its first tournament quarterfinal appearance in nearly 20 years. “Brewer likes to get up and down the floor. They press and they shoot a lot of threes,” said Winchester. Chris Horr’s Witches are led by four seasoned seniors: Emily Lord, Cassidy Smith, Haley Robertson and his daughter, Ellie Horr. Nokomis has a good one-two punch in 5-11 junior center Gabby Lord and 5-8 senior guard Chelsea Crockett. Crockett was an All-Maine honorable mention. Gardiner has been competitive against some of the division’s best teams. In Class AA, Oxford Hills looks like the team to beat at the Vikings look to repeat as regional champion. But there is plenty of balance in the division as Oxford Hills will be the only team to enter the tournament with fewer than five losses. The Vikings have won three regional titles over the past 10 years but are looking for their first state championship. Oxford Hills lost to Gorham 45-31 in last year’s AA final.
Bangor coach Joe Nelson called Oxford Hills a “complete team. “They play good defense and they’re good offensively. They have a great point guard in (Julia) Colby. She can control things. And they have a number of kids who can score. They shoot the ball extremely well,” said Nelson. “(Jadah) Adams is very strong inside and the (Maighread) Laliberte is a good athlete. “They’ve very well-balanced. They can beat you a number of ways,” he added. Portland had one of the state’s most dramatic turnarounds, going from a 3-15 campaign to double-digit wins this season thanks the play of senior Shayla Eubanks and the addition of Gemima Motema and her cousins Amanda Kabantu and Davina Kabantu from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “Portland is very athletic,” said Johnson, whose youthful Rams upset Portland. Portland racked up impressive wins over defending two-time state champ Gorham, Edward Little of Auburn, Cheverus of Portland and the Maine Girls Academy (formerly Catherine McAuley) of Portland. Edward Little, the regional champ two years ago, has a new coach in Chris Cifelli but Nelson said the uptempo Eddies are another contender. “They’ll turn you over. They have a number of scorers. They’re a pretty balanced team,” said Nelson. EL features veterans Piper Norcross, Jade Perry, Grace Fontaine and Chantelle Ouellette along with Lewiston High transfer Hannah Chaput. Cheverus has two of the state’s premier guards in Abby Cavallaro and Emme Poulin and Deering of Portland has one in Delaney Haines. Lewiston has a talented center in Victoria Harris. Cavallaro and Harris were All-Maine honorable mentions. Windham had victories over Cheverus and Deering and close losses to Edward Little and the Maine Girls Academy and Nelson’s Rams continued to gain valuable experience without a senior on the roster. Several freshmen were getting quality minutes. Bangor has three sets of sisters in Julia Houghton and Abby Houghton, Rowan Andrews and Riley Andrews and twins Libby Fleming and Abby Fleming.
Good Luck to the Skowhegan Boys Basketball Team!
Reach For Good Health!
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Go Indians!
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018
Hermon, GSA loom as ‘B’, ‘C’ favorites; Woodland, Jonesport-Beals, Greenville top contenders in ‘D’ BY ERNIE CLARK | BDN STAFF
The Hermon boys basketball team already is in rarefied competitive air this winter as it enters postseason play ranked atop the Class B North standings for the second straight year. It’s a position similar to that held by George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill, back on top of the Class C North standings and seeking its third consecutive state championship. In Class D, the race for the No. 1 seed was set to go down to the final days with No. 1 Woodland and No. 2 Jonesport-Beals set to meet for the second time in five days in their mutual regular-season finale. In Class B, Hermon began the final week of regular-season play at 17-0 and was one of just two unbeaten boys basketball teams statewide along with defending Class A state champion Greely of Cumberland Center. But while the regular-season dominance is nice, coach Mark Reed’s veteran team is focused on making the most of postseason play after falling to Orono in last year’s semifinals. One particular target is a regional championship, which would be the first for the Hawks since 2000. Hermon seemingly has all the tools to return to the top, beginning with experience and depth. The Hawks have all five starters back from last year’s rise to the top of the Heal
Hermon’s Keenan Marseille (right) flies in for two past Washington Academy’s Justin M. Vilone during a Class B North quarterfinal at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor last February. Marseille is helping top-ranked Hermon in its title quest. BDN FILE
points, led by senior point guard Keenan Marseille and sophomore forward Isaac Varney. If that weren’t enough, 6-foot-6 Jacob Godfrey has been an impact transfer with championship experience of his own after helping Machias capture the Class D state title last winter. Hermon largely dominated its regular-season competition save for an overtime win over Presque Isle, a team it defeated 70-47 in the rematch on Feb. 3 in Aroostook County.
TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018 Godfrey scored his 1,000th career point during that contest. The Wildcats, led by another 1,000-point scorer in senior guard Griffin Guerrette, still figure to be one of Hermon’s chief challengers in the division, with defending state champion Mount Desert Island of Bar Harbor, Oceanside of Rockland and Winslow poised to earn the other first-round byes in Class B North. MDI’s fortunes became less certain when the Trojans lost senior point guard Andrew Phelps to a late-season appendectomy, leaving Drew Shea and Derek Collin to pick up much of the slack. Oceanside, the Class A regional champion in 2016 and a finalist again last winter, has found its transition back to Class B fairly challenging with two losses to both Hermon and MDI and a split with KVAC rival Winslow. But coach Matt Breen has a tournament-tested roster led by senior forward Michael Norton Jr. and junior guard Cooper Wirkala that has been gaining momentum late in the season and is capable of flourishing again as the new postseason arrives. Winslow was another hot team late in the season under the guidance of longtime former Waterville coach Ken Lindlof. The Black Raiders, semifinalists in 2011 and 2015, have one of the bigger front lines in the region led by 6-4 seniors Jack Morneault and Jake LaPierre to go with classmate Michael Wildes, a senior guard. Ellsworth bounced back from a slow start with a solid second half of its season and along with 13-5 Washington Academy of East Machias and Caribou were in position to earn preliminary-round home games ahead of Belfast and Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield. Foxcroft Academy and Orono battled into the final days for the 11th and final B North playoff berth, though Orono was without 6-3 junior forward Connor Robertson, sidelined by a late-season knee injury. The path to the Class C North championship seemingly will go through the reigning two-time champions from George Stevens who have put together a fairly remarkable run over the last few years. Coach Dwayne Carter’s Eagles were 58-2 over the last three seasons entering the final week of the 2018 campaign and 73-6 since current standouts Taylor Schildroth, Max Mattson and Stefan Simmons joined the program as freshmen during the 2014-2015 season. “We have a bullseye on our back,” said Carter, whose team has lost just one to a Class C opponent during the last three years. “We know it and we’ve gotten used to it so it doesn’t affect us. We just go out and prepare for each game the same way.” Schildroth, a reigning BDN All-Maine first-team choice, remains one of the state’s more explosive scorers while the 6-6 Mattson is equally dominant defensively with Simmons, junior forward Percy Zentz and sophomore guard Caden Mattson providing plenty of support at both ends of the court. “We’ve been steadily improving and coming out so intense,” said Carter. “I praised the kids the other day because we’ve been coming out and putting teams away.” If anyone is to challenge the Eagles, it may be Fort Fairfield, which during the regular season was the best of a deep Class C contingent from Aroostook County and positioned to earn the second and final preliminary-round playoff berth in the division. Coach Logan McLaughlin’s Tigers gave GSA a solid battle during last year’s Class C North final and has senior guard Isaac Cyr as a leading playmaker. Central Aroostook of Mars Hill, with junior guard Ben Thomas leading the way, has made a successful transition up from Class D, while Fort Kent, Houlton and Madawaska are other County teams that entered the final week of regular-season play bound for at least preliminary-round action. Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln, Penobscot Valley of Howland and Piscataquis of Guilford have led the division’s central Maine contingent. MA, led by playmaking guard Alex Brown, entered the final week of play with 11 victories after winning just once while in Class B last winter while coach Jeremy Durost’s PVHS club has been the hottest team in the region short of GSA and is led by junior forward Grant Kidon. PCHS, with 1,000-point scorer Bryce Gilbert spearheading the charge, similarly has moved up the crowded standings during the second half of its schedule. Other contenders in what looks to be the deepest division in northern Maine include Lee Academy, Bucksport, Calais and Dexter, with Sumner of East Sullivan battling
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Hodgdon for the 14th and final playoff berth. Woodland, which reached the Class C North quarterfinals a year ago, has rested atop the Class D standings for nearly the entire winter thanks to an experienced cast led by junior guard Drew Hayward and senior center Justin Worden, back after missing his junior year due to injury. But a Jonesport-Beals club whose roster has more sophomores (six) than juniors and seniors combined (four), was pushing the Dragons for the top spot as the regular season concluded -- an effort highlighted by the Royals’ 40-37 win at Woodland on Feb. 3. Jonesport-Beals has gotten a boost recently from the return to the lineup of sophomore captain Ryan Alley, who spent most of the regular season sidelined by injury. Katahdin of Stacyville and Greater Houlton Christian Academy look solid as the third and fourth seeds, followed by a dangerous Schenck of East Millinocket team that played 12 of its 18 regular-season games against Class C foes -- and defending state champion Machias and its senior guard Jordan Grant, a new addition to the 1,000-point club. One of those teams was likely to earn the fifth and final D North preliminary-round bye, which Schenck may end up securing thanks to its two regular-season victories over Machias. Easton, Bangor Christian, Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook and Deer Isle-Stonington, which entered the final week with just three wins had one point-worthy victory over Jonesport-Beals, also are poised to join the postseason fray, with Shead of Eastport and Wisdom of Saint Agatha batting for the 11th and final spot. In Class D South, the Greenville Lakers are attempting to win their second straight regional championship and look poised to enter the tournament as the top team in its division. Coach Bill Foley’s club, which dropped its first two games of the winter, went into the final week of its schedule riding a 14-game winning streak since that slow start. The Lakers boast a veteran nucleus led by guard Nick Foley, center Devin Boone and forwards Connor DiAngelo and Evan Bjork, all seniors.
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TOURNEY TIME • Bangor Daily News Special Section • February 16, 2018