Tourney Time 2020

A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION OF THE BANGOR DAILY NEWS | FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2020

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

HERE’S THE BEST OF THE FIRST 20 YEARS OF NORTH BOYS BASKETBALL IN THE 2000S

Cover: The Caribou High School Vikings celebrate their victory over Cape Elizabeth in the Class B state championship game at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland last March. Caribou returns to the tourney this season to defend its title.

TROY R. BENNETT | BDN

The Bangor High School Rams celebrate their victory in the boys Class AA state basketball championship game at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland last March.

TROY R. BENNETT | BDN

BY ERNIE CLARK, BDN STAFF

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t’s hard to believe 20 percent of the “new” century already has passed, but with those 20 years have come plenty of schoolboy basketball memories.

Here’s a look at the best programs each class has had to offer in the North region so far during the 2000s.

Class AA — Bangor Rams: Certainly Bangor did most of its recent championship work before the fifth basketball class was added in 2016, but the Rams’ return to gold-ball status in Class AA last winter has restored the program among the best in Maine, regardless of class.

Bangor’s new century began with three Class A state titles in four years, starting in 2000 and highlighted in dramatic fashion by Joe Campbell’s tip-in at the buzzer that lifted coach Roger Reed’s club to a 57-56 upset of Deering of Portland in the 2001 final.

Led by a succession of Bangor Daily News All-Maine first-team performers like Campbell, Zak Ray, Mark Socoby, Alex Gallant and Ryan Weston, the Rams also won the Class A gold ball in 2003, 2007 and 2011 and another Eastern Maine title in 2008.

Bangor went a combined 62-8 while winning its 2000, 2001 and 2003 state crowns.

The Rams returned to glory in their fourth year of Class AA competition, capturing the 2019 Class AA crown behind the state’s Mr. Basketball, Matthew Fleming,

and guard Damian Vance.

Class A — Hampden Academy Broncos: Hampden’s emergence among the state’s elite coincided with Russ Bartlett’s arrival as head coach at his alma mater.

Hampden broke through by winning the state championship behind 6-foot-10 center Jordan Cook in 2005, the last year the Eastern A tournament was held at the Bangor Auditorium before being moved to the Augusta Civic Center.

The Broncos fell to Deering of Portland in their rematch at states a year later, but Hampden went on to capture four consecutive EM “A” titles from 2012 through 2015 with state championships in 2013 and 2015.

That 2013 championship run featured Nick Gilpin’s buzzer-beating, 30-foot shot — off an assist from older brother Zach — that pushed the Broncos past Lawrence of Fairfield 40-39 in the Eastern “A” final.

Hampden went 83-5 during that fouryear stretch, including a 43-game winning streak from the start of its undefeated 2012-2013 campaign until a loss to Portland in the 2014 state final.

Hampden most recently won the Class A North crown in 2018.

The Broncos’ lineups have featured two Mr. Basketball selections in guards Christian McCue (2012) and Nick Gilpin (2016), while Zach Gilpin was the 2014 Maine Gatorade Player of the Year.

Class B — Camden Hills Windjammers:

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

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Members of the Calais Blue Devils show off the gold ball to their fans after they beat Boothbay 70-66 in the Class C boys basketball state final at the Bangor Auditorium in 2007. It was the second straight state title for the Blue Devils who have compiled a 44-0 record during the last two seasons.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSHUA BRIGHT

Dirigo High School’s Clayton Swett (left) and Calais High School’s Tyler Nyles go up for a rebound during the Class C boys State Championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor in 2009.

Calais won the game 57-43.

BDN FILE PHOTO

The Rockport school was a Class B juggernaut under longtime former coach Jeff Hart, winning five state championships and two more Eastern Maine titles between 2001 and 2011.

Camden Hills secured three gold balls in five years early in the century, winning it all in 2001, 2002 and with an undefeated 2005 team featuring BDN All-Maine first-teamer Tim Stammen.

After another regional title in 2007, the Windjammers won three consecutive Eastern “B” crowns between 2009 and 2011 with state championships in 2009 and 2011.

The 2009 team, undefeated at 22-0, featured first-team BDN All-Maine choice Gordon Fischer leading a youthful roster that included impact sophomores Tyler McFarland, Graham Safford and Keegan Pieri.

McFarland went on to be a three-time BDN All-Maine choice and the state’s Mr. Basketball after the Windjammers again went undefeated to win it all in 2011. Safford later transferred to Hampden Academy and also was a Mr. Basketball finalist and BDN All-Maine first-team choice in 2011.

Camden Hills went 63-3 between 2009 and 2011, with its lone tournament loss a 72-65 overtime decision to Falmouth in

the 2010 state final.

Class C — Calais Blue Devils: This Down East school was a powerhouse early in the 2000s, winning three state championships and five Eastern “C” titles between 2002 and 2009 before adding a fourth gold ball in 2015.

After a regional crown in 2002, coach Ed Leeman’s Blue Devils peaked with three gold balls in 2006, 2007 and 2009 along with another Eastern Maine championship in 2008.

Perhaps the biggest moment of that run came in the 2009 state final when Cal Shorey’s 3-pointer with 17 seconds left gave Calais a 40-39 victory over a Dirigo of Dixfield team led by 6-9 center Thomas Knight, who went on to play at Notre Dame.

Calais had a 63-game winning streak from the start of the 2005-2006 season until a loss to Winthrop in the 2008 state final.

The year after Leeman stepped down, Chris Woodside stepped in and guided a veteran Calais team featuring seniors Kyle Johnson, Tyler Niles, Andre Paul and Nathan Newell to the 2015 state crown.

Class D — Central Aroostook Panthers: The Mars Hill school ended an eight-year state championship drought — while Western Maine’s Valley High School of

Bingham won six in a row from 1998 through 2003 — by defeating the Cavaliers 79-62 in the 2005 final.

The Panthers went on to win three state titles in four years under alumnus Tim Brewer with gold-ball celebrations in 2006 and 2008.

The 2006 team featured BDN AllMaine guard Andrew York, while the 2008 run became memorable when 5-7 guard Manny Martinez lofted a shot over 6-10 center Marc Zaharchuk of Richmond with eight-tenths of a second left in the state final to give Central Aroostook a 54-53 victory.

Central Aroostook added a fourth state crown under Brewer in 2011, capping off an undefeated season by again defeating Richmond in the championship game.

The Panthers compiled a 142-10 record between 2005 and 2011, including 23-3 in postseason play.

Central Aroostook added its most recent regional title in 2013 and have played in Class C for the last two years.

(Bottom Right) Hampden’s players and fans celebrate seconds after Nicholas Gilpin hits the game-winning three point shot at the Augusta Civic Center on February 22, 2013.

CARTER F. MCCALL | BDN

Central Aroostook boys showed who was number one as they hold up their plaque following their victory in their Class D Eastern Maine final against Jonesport-Beals following their final against at Bangor Auditorium in 2009.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN CLARKE RUSS

Taylor McLaughlin of Central Aroostook (middle) grabs a rebound as Lee Academy’s Neil Cowan (11) tries to knock the ball loose and Brock Burtt (left)( and Tom Bird (right) look on. Central Aroostook won the Eastern Maine Class D title game in 2005.

LINDA COAN O’KRESIK | BDN

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

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55 years ago, this Presque Isle star enjoyed a tournament to remember

BY JIM CARTER, SPECIAL TO THE BDN

rying to determine what is my favorite tournament memory, whether it be a team or an individual performance, is very difficult. I decided to go with both a team and the individual who led it to the Eastern Maine tournament.

In 1965, the Presque Isle Wildcats had only one returning veteran and were not considered to be a tourney contender.

However, they had an outstanding point guard by the name of Byron “Barney” Smith.

The Wildcats, under first-year coach Eugene “Dint” Lovely, finished sixth in the Heal Point ratings with a 12-6 record.

Another reason for their improvement was the play of 6-foot, 8-inch sophomore Jim Condon and 6-3 senior Mike Robertson along with Daryl Sponberg and Ralph Delano, who were subs the previous year. Sophomores Dick Hafford, Don Smith and senior Scott Mason contributed significantly.

In the quarterfinal round, Presque Isle faced No. 3 Brewer, which had a 13-5 record.

Led by Barney Smith’s 34 points and floor leadership and the inside play of Condon and Robertson, the Wildcats defeated the Witches 89-77.

In the semifinal, Presque Isle faced a tall, full-court pressing team from Winslow that went into the tournament ranked No. 2 and was undefeated at 18-0.

Presque Isle took a two-point lead (41-39) at halftime and in the third quarter Condon (17 points), Robertson and Don Smith began clearing the boards. and Barney Smith put on a sensational overall performance as the Wildcats went on to defeat the Black Raiders 76-62.

Barney Smith again led the scoring with 28 points while turning in a great exhibition of playmaking. It was his ball-handling that had the experts buzzing as he tallied more than 20 assists, which just may be a tournament record.

In the Eastern Maine final the Wildcats faced No. 1 Stearns of Millinocket, which

< Presque Isle Star-Herald - Byron “Barney” Smith of Presque Isle High School takes the ball to the basket in a game against Madawaska during the 1964-1965 season. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

also was undefeated at 18-0. Barney Smith was charged with the unenviable task of guarding Jon McDonald, who was considered to be one of the top two players in the state along with Joe Harrington of Morse.

Stearns started out quickly, taking a 7-1 lead, but Presque Isle went out in front 13-7 behind Barney Smith, Condon and Hafford. The Minutemen regained the edge and took a 35-27 lead at the half and maintained a 59-47 edge at the end of the third period.

Barney Smith’s defense on McDonald and Jim Condon’s offensive work (18 points) cut the Stearns lead to 65-61 with 2:12 to go. Stearns went on to win the game 71-61, but Barney Smith’s defensive work was the talk of the game.

He held the fabulous McDonald to one field goal, although McDonald scored 12 of his 14 points from the foul line. Barney Smith finished the game with 18 points.

He was the complete package as a player. He could score (80 points in the tournament) and was an excellent defender and playmaker who possessed a high basketball IQ. Smith went on to play freshman basketball at Duke University, where he emerged as a two-year starter and one of the leading hitters for the Blue Devils baseball team.

Barney Smith’s goal of playing on a tournament team came true as a senior, and such coaches as Red Barry, George Wentworth, Larry Shiner, Terry Spurling, Skip Chappelle and many others joined in acclaiming Byron

“Barney” Smith among the all-time greats of Eastern Maine tournament play.

About the author: Jim Carter of Presque Isle is a retired teacher and coach in the Caribou school system.

The Presque Isle native is the author of “Six Decades of Wildcat Basketball: A History of Boys & Girls Basketball at Presque Isle High School 1950-2009,” which was published in 2009 by Northeast Publishing. He also wrote “Aroostook Basketball History & Eastern Maine Tournament History,” which was self-published. The 1971 Husson University graduate, who retired in 2001, has since been a fixture on the County basketball scene as a commentator on TV, radio and the internet, most recently doing live streaming at wagmtv.com

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(Above) Byron “Barney” Smith of Presque Isle High School prepares to drive the baseline during a 1965 Eastern Maine Class LL tournament semifinal game against Winslow. Smith helped spark the Wildcats to a regional runner-up finish. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO. (Left) The Presque Isle High School boys basketball team is pictured prior to the 1964-1965 season. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO.

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

Houlton’s Keegan Gentle gets a rebound during the first half of the boys class C semifinal game against Sumner at the Cross Insurance Center last February.

LINDA COAN O’KRESIK | BDN

Class C *Keegan Gentle (Houlton), Nolan Porter (Houlton), Isaac Wardwell (George Stevens), Max Woodman (Mattanawcook Acad.), Nick Brewer (Houlton) Honorable Mention: Alex Brown (Mattanawcook), Andrew Szwez (George Stevens), Cam Callnan (Houlton)

Class D *Chris Hudson (Hodgdon), Jacob Rioux (Van Buren), Cameron Landry (Southern Aroostook), Hunter Turner (Easton), Nolan Altvater (So. Aroostook)

Class C *Taylor Schildroth (George Sevens), Tyler Pye (Bucksport), Justin Thompson (Schenck), Jimmy Buzzell (Hodgdon), Nick Szwez (George Stevens)

Class C *Taylor Schildroth (George Stevens Acad.), Max Mattson (George Stevens Acad.), Isaac Cyr (Fort Fairfield), Jared Harvey (Fort Fairfield), Cayden Spencer-Thompson (Mattanawcook Acad.)

Class D *Jacob Doody (Easton), Jacob Godfrey (Machias), Jackson Mathers (Southern Aroostook), Logan Halvorson (Easton), Jake Flewelling (Easton)

2015

2017 Class A *Nathan Violette (Messalonskee), James Kouletsis (Messalonskee), Michael Norton Jr. (Oceanside), Cooper Wirkala (Oceanside), Jordan Roddy (Cony)

Class B *Nicholas DePatsy (Medomak Valley), Justin Martin (Winslow), Micah Williamson (Medomak Valley), Eric Hoogterp (Old Town), Riley Swanson (MDI)

Class B *Riley Swanson (MDI), Graham Good (MDI), Nate Desisto (Orono), Isaac Varney (Hermon), Ethan Mailman (Central)

Class C *Tyler Niles (Calais), Kyle Bouchard (Houlton), Andre Paul (Calais), Nate DeSisto (Orono), Kyle Johnson (Calais)

Class D *Travis Thompson (Schenck), Tyrone Davis (Schenck), Alvin Beal Jr. (Jonesport-Beals), Kaiden Crowley (Jonesport-Beals), Isaac Potter (GHCA)

Class C *Taylor Schildroth (GSA), Max Mattson (GSA), Chris Giberson (Fort Fairfield), Isaac Cyr (Fort Fairfield), Justin Thompson (Schenck)

Class D *Chris Giberson (Fort Fairfield), Hunter Beaulieu (Fort Fairfield), Logan Wood (Machias), Robbie Watson (Fort Fairfield), Cameron Bragg (Washburn)

Honorable Mention: Drew Hayward (Woodland), Ryan Alley (Jonesport-Beals), Colby Hannan (Schenck)

Class D *James Mersereau (Machias), Jordan Grant (Machias), Nolan Altvater (Southern Aroostook), Jackson Mathers (Southern Aroostook), Jacob Flewelling (Easton)

2014

*William C. Warner Most Valuable Player

Honorable Mention: Garrett Trask (Hermon), Austin Findlen (Caribou), Jaroslav Ruta (Ellsworth)

Class B *Bruce St. Peter (Ellsworth), Bryce Harmon (Ellsworth), Donovan Savage (Caribou), Jake Koffman (Orono), Nick Bagley (Ellsworth)

Class A *Nick Gilpin (Hampden), Brendan McIntyre (Hampden), Isaiah Harris (Lewiston), Trever Irish (Lewiston), Nick Mayo (Messalonskee)

BDN ALL-TOURNEY BOYS BASKETBALL TEAMS, 2010-2019

Class B *Parker Deprey (Caribou), Alex Bouchard (Caribou), Isaac Varney (Hermon), Cody Hawes (Hermon), Jackson Curtis (Ellsworth)

Class C *Kyle Bouchard (Houlton), Trevor Lyford (Penquis), Cherif Fall (Lee), Kyle Johnson (Calais), Nick Guiod (Houlton)

Griffin Guerrette (Presque Isle), Cody Hawes (Hermon), Andrew Phelps (MDI), Garrett Trask (Hermon)

Class D *Justin Worden (Woodland), Drew Hayward (Woodland), Adam Robinson (Jonesport-Beals), Alessandro Marotta (Machias), Riley Dionne (Schenck)

2019

Class A *Keenan Hendricks (Oceanside), Nicholas DePatsy (Medomak Valley), Nick Mazurek (Oceanside), Cameron Allaire (Medomak Valley), Nick Gilpin (Hampden Acad.)

2018 Class A *Ian McIntyre (Hampden Acad.), Kory Winch (Hampden Acad.), Jordan Roddy (Cony), Gabe Allaire (Medomak Valley), Josh Smestad (Nokomis) Class B *Keenan Marseille (Hermon),

2016

Class A *Zach Gilpin (Hampden), Nick Gilpin (Hampden), Andrew Fleming (Oxford Hills), Blake Gordon (Brunswick), Isaiah Bess (Hampden)

Class AA *Andrew Fleming (Oxford Hills), Amir Moss (Portland), Terion Moss (Portland), Malik White (Deering), Griffin Foley (Portland)

Class B *Garvey Melmed (Old Town), Dayne Savage (Caribou), Tyler Thayer (Hermon), Adam Richardson (Old Town), Nick Bagley (Ellsworth)

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)

2012 Class A *Christian McCue (Hampden), Cam Sennick (Mt. Blue), Fred Knight (Hampden), Eric Berry (Mt. Blue), Quin Leary (Edward Little) Class B *Jake Palmer (Gardiner), Jayson Burke (MDI), Aaron Toman (Gardiner), Adam Gray (MDI), John Murray (Medomak Valley) Class C *D.J. Johnson (Lee), *Kyle Bouchard (Houlton), Boubacar Diallo (Lee), Trevor Lyford (Penquis), Isaiah Bess (Penquis), Chase Vicaire (Mattanawcook) Class D *Garet Beal (Jonesport-Beals), Sam Grindle (DIStonington), Matthew Alley (Jonesport-Beals), Mike McClung (Central Aroostook), Justin Alley (Jonesport-Beals)

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

2011

2010

Class A *Bo Leary (Edward Little), Josiah Hartley (Bangor), Graham Safford (Hampden), Zach Blodgett (Bangor), Tim Mains (Edward Little)

Class A *Yusef Iman (Edward Little), Dom Drake (Brewer), Ray Bessette (Brewer), James Philbrook (Edward Little), Clark Noonan (Bangor)

Class B *Tyler McFarland (Camden Hills), Andrew Austin (Ellsworth), Keegan Pieri (Camden Hills), Chris Braley (Nokomis), Joel Gabriel (Camden Hills)

Class B *Tyler McFarland (Camden Hills), Keegan Pieri (Camden Hills), Ryan Petros (Ellsworth), Alex MacKenzie (Medomak Valley), Mike Cochrane (Mount View)

Class C *A.J. Harris (Lee Acad.), Joe McCloskey (Penobscot Valley), Gabe O’Brien (Sumner), Artie Makovskis (Lee Acad.), Tylor Martin (Sumner)

Class C *Ben Teer (Washington Academy), Cam Shorey (Calais), Noah Von Rotz (Washington Academy), Josiah Richard (Foxcroft), Bryce Colbeth (Washington Academy)

Class D *Mike McClung (Central Aroostook), Garet Beal (Jonesport-Beals), Caleb Kelly (Central Aroostook), Mitch Worcester (Washburn), Brian Getchell (Machias)

Class D *Brandon Theriault (Schenck), Travis Noyes, John McNamee, Jared Waite (Schenck), Justin Alley (Jonesport-Beals)

Ellsworth’s Jackson Curtis tries to defend Caribou’s Parker Deprey during second half action of their semi final game at the Cross Insurance Center last February.

Caribou won the game, 65-58.

LINDA COAN O’KRESIK | BDN

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

BOYS - NORTH Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Tuesday, Feb. 11 or Wednesday Feb. 12 At home court of higher seeds

Wednesday, Feb. 19 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland

Class AA AA1: No. 6 at No. 3 AA2: No. 7 at No. 2 AA3: No. 5 at No. 4 AA4: No. 8 at No. 1

Class AA AA5: AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 2 p.m.

AA6: AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 14 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

Class A A5: A1 winner vs. A2 winner, 7 p.m.

A6: A3 winner vs. A4 winner, 8:30 p.m.

Class B B1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 7 p.m.

B2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15 At Augusta Civic Center

A Schenck High School basketball fan signals “that way” during the Class D North boys final against Jonesport-Beals at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor last February. The Wolverines won 70-47.

PETE WARNER | BDN

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, 7:30 p.m.

A4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 9 p.m.

At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class B B3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 2 p.m.

B4: No. 1 vs. No. 2, 3:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb . 17 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

At Augusta Civic Center

At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class B B5: B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 7 p.m.

B6: B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 8:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 20 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class D D5: D1 winner vs. D2 winner, 7 p.m.

D6: D3 winner vs. D4 winner, 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 21 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class C C5: C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 7 p.m.

C6: C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 8:30 p.m.

Class D D1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9:30 a.m.

D2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11 a.m.

D3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7 p.m.

D4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:30 p.m.

Regional Finals

Tuesday, Feb. 18 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

Class A A7: A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 7:45 p.m.

Class C C3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 2 p.m.

C4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland

Wednesday, Feb. 19 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class C C1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9:30 a.m.

C2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11 a.m.

Friday, Feb. 21 At Augusta Civic Center

Class AA AA7: AA5 winner vs. AA6 winner, 3:45 p.m.

At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class D D7: D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 10:45 a.m.

Class B B7: B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 3:45 p.m.

Class C C7: C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 8:45 p.m.

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

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BOYS - SOUTH Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Tuesday, Feb. 11 or Wednesday Feb. 12 At home court of higher seeds

Tuesday, Feb. 18 At Portland Expo

Class AA AA1: No. 6 at No. 3 AA2: No. 7 at No. 2 AA3: No. 5 at No. 4 AA4: No. 8 at No. 1

Class B B5: B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 6 p.m.

B6: B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 14 At Portland Expo Class B B1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 4 p.m.

B2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 5:30 p.m.

B3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7:30 p.m.

B4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15 At Portland Expo 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, 7:30 p.m.

A4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 9 p.m.

At Augusta Civic Center Class D D1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9 a.m.

D2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 10:30 a.m.

D3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, noon D4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 1:30 p.m Monday, Feb . 17 At Augusta Civic Center Class C C1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 4 p.m.

C2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 5:30 p.m.

C3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7:30 p.m.

C4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class AA AA5: AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 6 p.m.

AA6: AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 7:30 p.m.

At Portland Expo 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. 20 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class C C5: C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 7 p.m.

C6: C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 8:30 p.m.

Regional Finals Friday, Feb. 21 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class A A7: A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 8:15 p.m.

Class B B7: B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 3:45 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class AA A7: AA5 winner vs. AA6 winner, 8:15 p.m.

At Augusta Civic Center Class D D7: D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 2:45 p.m.

Class C C7: C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 7:45 p.m.

Travis Thompson of Schenck High School spins the net last February after the Wolverines beat Jonesport-Beals 70-47 to win the Class D North basketball championship at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. PETE WARNER | BDN

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Friday, Feb. 28 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class B North champ vs. South champ, 8:45 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 29 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class A North champ vs. South champ, 3 p.m.

Class AA North champ vs. South champ, 9 p.m.

At Augusta Civic Center Class D North champ vs. South champ, 2:45 p.m.

Class C North champ vs. South champ, 8:45 p.m.

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

GIRLS - NORTH Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Tuesday, Feb. 11 At home court of higher seeds

Wednesday, Feb. 19 At Augusta Civic Center

Class AA AA1: No. 6 at No. 3 AA2: No. 7 at No. 2 AA3: No. 5 at No. 4 AA4: No. 8 at No. 1

Class A A5: A1 winner vs. A2 winner, 2 p.m.

A6: A3 winner vs. A4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 14 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

Class B B5: B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 2 p.m.

B6: B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Class B B1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 3:30 p.m.

B2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 5 p.m.

At Augusta Civic Center

Members of the Mount Desert Island girls basketball team rush the court while head coach Brett Barker salutes the crowd after the Trojans beat Waterville to win the Class B North championship at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor in February 2019. PETE WARNER | BDN

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, 7:30 p.m.

A4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 9 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class B B3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 9:30 a.m.

B4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 11 a.m.

Class D D1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 7 p.m.

D2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 8:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 17 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class D D3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 2 p.m.

D4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 3:30 pm.

At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

Thursday, Feb. 20 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class AA AA5: AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 2 p.m.

AA6: AA3 winner vs. AA4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class D D5: D1 winner vs. D2 winner, 2 p.m.

D6: D3 winner vs. D4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 21 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class C C5: C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 2 p.m.

C6: C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Regional Finals Friday, Feb. 21 At Augusta Civic Center Class A A7: A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class C C1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9:30 a.m.

C2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 11:30 a.m.

C3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7 p.m.

C4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class AA AA7: AA5 winner vs. AA6 winner, 2 p.m.

At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class D D7: D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 9 a.m.

Class B B7: B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 2 p.m.

Class C C7: C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 7 p.m.

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

GIRLS - SOUTH Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Tuesday, Feb. 11 or Wednesday Feb. 12 At home court of higher seeds

Tuesday, Feb. 18 At Portland Expo

Class AA AA1: No. 8 at No. 1 AA2: No. 5 at No. 4 AA3: No. 7 at No. 2 AA4: No. 6 at No. 3

Class B B5: B1 winner vs. B2 winner, 2 p.m.

B6: B3 winner vs. B4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15 At Portland Expo Class B B1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9 a.m.

B2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 10:30 a.m.

B3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 12:30 p.m.

B4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 2 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 17 At Portland Expo Class A A1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 2 p.m.

A2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 3:30 p.m.

A3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7 p.m.

A4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 8:30 p.m.

At Augusta Civic Center Class D D1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 9 a.m.

D2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 10:30 a.m.

D3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, noon D4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 18 At Portland Expo Class C C1: No. 3 vs. No. 6, 4 p.m.

C2: No. 2 vs. No. 7, 5:30 p.m.

C3: No. 4 vs. No. 5, 7:30 p.m.

C4: No. 1 vs. No. 8, 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 19 At Portland Expo Class A A5: A1 winner vs. A2 winner, 2 p.m.

A6: A3 winner vs. A4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 20 At Portland Expo Class AA AA5: AA1 winner vs. AA2 winner, 6 p.m.

AA6: AA3 winner vs. AA4 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.

Class C C5: C1 winner vs. C2 winner, 2 p.m.

C6: C3 winner vs. C4 winner, 3:30 p.m.

Regional Finals Friday, Feb. 21 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class B B7: B5 winner vs. B6 winner, 2 p.m.

Class A A7: A5 winner vs. A6 winner, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class AA AA7: AA5 vs. AA6, 6:30 p.m.

At Augusta Civic Center Class D D7: D5 winner vs. D6 winner, 1 p.m.

Class C C7: C5 winner vs. C6 winner, 6 p.m.

Warriors fans cheer on the Southern Aroostook girls in the Class D championship game against Greenville at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on March 2, 2019. Southern Aroostook won 55-30. LINDA COAN O’KRESIK | BDN

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Friday, Feb. 28 At Cross Insurance Center, Bangor Class B North champ vs. South champ, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 29 At Cross Insurance Arena, Portland Class A North champ vs. South champ, 1 p.m.

Class AA North champ vs. South champ, 7 p.m.

At Augusta Civic Center Class D North champ vs. South champ, 1 p.m.

Class C North champ vs. South champ, 7 p.m.

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020 Washburn’s Kyli Farley, left, is closely guarded by Southern Aroostook’s Makaelyn Porter during last February’s tournament game. Porter was named MVP of the Class D North Tournament for the second consecutive year. JOSEPH CYR | BDN Class B *Kolleen Bouchard (Houlton), Rylee Warman (Houlton), Emi Higgins (Hermon), Abby Simpson (Foxcroft Acad.), Emily Wheaton (Presque Isle) Class C *Megan Peach (Dexter), Abby Webber (Dexter), Morgan Dauk (George Stevens Acad.), 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

BDN ALL-TOURNEY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS, 2010 -2019 *Owen Osborne MVP

2019

Class B *Julia Watras (Mount Desert Island), Hannah Chamberlain (MDI), Sadie Garling (Waterville), Kali Thompson (Waterville), Cait Tracy (Hermon) Class C *Lexi Ireland (Penobscot Valley), Peyton Grant (Dexter), Avery Herrick (Dexter), Lauren Cook (Calais), Alisyn Alley (Stearns) Class D *Makaelyn Porter (Southern Aroostook), Sydney Brewer (Southern Aroostook), Lily Gray (Deer Isle-Stonington), Kaylee Morey (DI-Stonington), Emily Curtis (Woodland)

2018 Class A *Bailey Donovan (Hampden Acad.), Brooklyn Scott (Hampden), Ally Turner (Messalonskee), Gabrielle Wener (Messalonskee), Annie Cooke (Skowhegan)

Class B *Emily Wheaton (Presque Isle), Haley Ward (Winslow), Paige Trask (Winslow), Maeghan Bernard (Winslow), Lauren Plissey (Hermon) Class C *Kolleen Bouchard (Houlton), Peyton Grant (Dexter), Avery Herrick (Dexter), Sydney Allen (Central), Lauren Cook (Calais) Class D *Makaelyn Porter (Southern Aroostook), Kacy Daggett (SA), Kassidy Mathers (SA), Emily Curtis (Woodland), Natalie Rickards (Katahdin)

2017 Class A *Sophie Holmes (Messalonskee), McKenna Brodeur (Messalonskee), Ally Turner (Messalonskee), Chelsea Crockett (Nokomis), Sidney Moore (Nokomis)

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)

Rachel Pease (Camden Hills), Mary Toman (Gardiner) Class C *Kolleen Bouchard (Houlton), Michaela White (Dexter), Katie Condon (Houlton), Maddy McVicar (Calais), Megan Peach (Dexter)

Class D *Parise Rossignol (Van Buren), Carmen Bragg (Washburn), Carsyn Koch (Washburn), Mackenzie Worcester (Washburn), Morgan Thompson (Schenck)

2013

Class D *Mackenzie Worcester (Washburn), Joan Overman (Washburn), Chelsey Pelkey (Fort Fairfield), Megan Jellison (Fort Fairfield), Emmy Churchill (Washburn)

Class A *Cordelia Stewart (Bangor), Mary Butler (Bangor), Denae Johnson (Bangor), Josie Lee (Cony), Mallory Nelson (Mt. Ararat)

2014

Class B *Chandler Guerrette (Presque Isle), Megan Ireland (Presque Isle), Jordan Knowlton (Camden Hills), Hannah Shaw (MDI), Anna Mackenzie (Nokomis)

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 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)

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),

Julia Watras of Mount Desert Island shoots as Lindsay Given (15) and Jayda Murray (5) of Waterville defend during their Class B North final last February in Bangor.

PETE WARNER | BDN

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

2012

2011

2010

Class A *Mia Diplock (Cony), Kory Norcross (Edward Little), Josie Lee (Cony), Tianna Harriman (Edward Little), Katie Brochu (Bangor)

Class A Michaela Stephenson (Hampden), Julia Snyder (Hampden), Ashlee Arnold (Edward Little), Mary Badeen (Messalonskee), Megan Pelletier (Messalonskee)

Class A *Whitney Jones (Skowhegan), Adrienne Davis (Skowhegan), Michaela Stephenson (Hampden), Lydia Caputi (Brunswick), Hannah Dexter (Messalonskee)

Class B *Chandler Guerrette (Presque Isle), Hannah Graham (Presque Isle), Kayla Richards (Presque Isle), Marissa Shaw (Nokomis), Alanna Vose (Medomak Valley)

Class B Julie Smith (Nokomis), Kelsie Richards (Nokomis), Emilee Reynolds (Nokomis), Kayla Richards (Presque Isle), Ericka Christensen (Medomak)

Class B *Marissa Shaw (Nokomis), Mary Badeen (Nokomis), Kara Batchelder (Nokomis), Megan Phelps (MDI), Chandler Guerrette (Presque Isle)

Class C *Sigrid Koizar (Stearns), Max McHugh (Central), Sam Brownell (Central), Maddy McVicar (Calais), Brianna Skolfield (Central)

Class C Taylor Seeley (Washington Acad.), Christy Smith (Washington Acad.), Jade Keezer (Orono), Hannah Pray (Central), Bekah Campbell (Central)

Class C Nicole Osborne (Calais), Alex McVicar (Calais), Hannah Pray (Central), Andi Flannery (Washington Acad.), Vanessa Lougee (Foxcroft)

Class D *Mackenzie Worcester (Washburn), Carsyn Koch (Washburn), Parise Rossignol (Van Buren), Victoria McIntyre (Central Aroostook), Jennah Steamer (Hodgdon)

Class D Carmen Bragg (Washburn), Nicole Olson (Washburn), Rebecca Campbell (Washburn), Amanda Hotham (Fort Fairfield), Britnie Jones (DI-Stonington)

Class D Amanda Hotham (Fort Fairfield), Vicki McIntyre (Central Aroostook), Brooke Beaulieu (Fort Fairfield), Liz Goodall (Southern Aroostook), Whitney Holmes (Bangor Christian)

Kaci Alley (left) of Narraguagus and Penobscot Valley’s Lexi Ireland battle for a loose ball during last February’s Class C North game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. PETE WARNER | BDN

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

Washburn’s Mackenzie Worcester (center) runs after a loose ball with Fort Fairfield’s Grace Reynolds (left) and Fort Fairfield’s Kayla Giberson during the 2015 Eastern Maine basketball championship tournament game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

BDN FILE PHOTO

CELEBRATING 45 YEARS OF THE MPA GIRLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS

BY LARRY MAHONEY, BDN STAFF

It was 1975.

Former University of Michigan football player Gerald Ford was President of the United States, the Bee Gees were “Jive Talkin’,” and everybody was learning the dance moves to Van McCoy’s “Hustle.”

It was also a memorable year in Maine’s sports history.

It was the first season the Maine Principals’ Association sanctioned high school basketball tournaments for girls.

The boys large-school tournaments dated back to 1922 and the tourney for Classes L, M and S at the Bangor Auditorium began in 1956. There was a real curiosity to see how the girls would perform on the big stage. In eastern

Maine, that meant playing at the Bangor Auditorium.

Everyone knew the girls weren’t going to be as big or as skilled as the boys and the games weren’t going to as fast-paced.

But it didn’t matter. Nobody cared.

It was long overdue.

The girls deserved their chance to showcase their abilities and everyone was looking forward to it.

The first schoolgirl tournaments were played three years after Congress passed Title IX, the federal civil rights law that stipulated that women and men were to receive equal opportunities to participate in sports at the college level. That included athletic scholarships and similar provisions (i.e. equipment, game and practice times, tutoring, coaching, locker rooms, dining halls, travel/daily allowance per diems).

It didn’t take very long for the girls to make an impactful statement at the 1975 Eastern Maine tournament.

A girl from Dexter was trying to chase down a loose ball, running full speed as it rolled toward the press table.

In a desperate move to try to keep it in play, she dove head-first, landing with a resounding thud on the court.

She was hurt and began crying. She was quickly attended to by the trainer and her coach. After a few minutes, she wiped the tears from her face and slowly made her way to the bench.

She would return later in the game.

It was at that moment everybody realized that these games meant every bit as much to the girls as they did to the boys.

Mainers have a tremendous passion for basketball and now they were going to be blessed with another

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

Cindy Blodgett of the Lawrence Bulldogs looks to drive past Staci Huggard of the Portland Bulldogs in 1991. BDN FILE PHOTO

Congratulations to all teams!

Best wishes for a great tournament!

Millinocket ME 04462 207-723-9718 1068 Crystal Rd. • Island Falls ME 04747 207-463-3661 www.katahdinfcu.org • 800-451-9145

source to fuel that passion.

That first year turned out to be a gem.

Three of the four state championship games were decided by eight points. The Class C final between HallDale and Katahdin went to triple overtime with HallDale pulling out a 64-62 victory.

In the other state games, Gardiner topped Morse of Bath 70-62 in the A final, Lake Region of Naples beat Van Buren 63-55 for the B title and East Grand of Danforth was the D winner, 49-41 over Richmond.

Two of the impactful people that year were Gardiner forward-center Crystal Pazdziorko and Katahdin coach Dick Barstow.

Pazdziorko was a dynamic post player who was fun to watch. She was a fierce competitor and an outstanding rebounder who had a nice shooting touch to go with nifty inside moves.

She would take those attributes to the University of Maine, the first in a long line of players with Maine basketball tournament experience who would be an important contributor to the Black Bear program.

The classy Barstow would go on to a hall of fame coaching career that produced more than 650 wins, four

state championships including two each at Central Aroostook of Mars Hill and two at Presque Isle, and seven Eastern Maine championships.

He has been inducted into three halls of fame.

There have been so many memorable players who have gone on to star at the college level.

But only two own the distinction of winning four Eastern Maine and four state championships while scoring over 2,000 points in their high school careers: former Lawrence High of Fairfield star Cindy Blodgett of Clinton and Washburn High’s Kenzie Worcester.

Blodgett’s Bulldogs captured A titles from 1991-1994 and Worcester’s Beavers claimed D championships from 2012-2015.

Blodgett’s scored 2,596 career points while Worcester netted 2,001 with the final 37 coming in a dramatic 60-54 victory over Rangeley in the 2015 state championship game.

Blodgett went on to become the University of Maine’s all-time leading scorer with 3,005 points and Worcester is the No. 2 career scorer at Husson University with 1,869 points.

Blodgett and Worcester were both point guards who

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

not only were talented but they were also driven to keep improving and worked tirelessly to do so.

They also had something that very few have: Tremendous court vision and awareness along with high basketball IQs that enabled them to think two steps ahead of other players and virtually always make the right play.

They could slow the game down in their minds and anticipate.

And they were gamers. They wanted the ball with the game on the line. They were not afraid to fail.

But there have been so many other dynamic players who were worth the price of admission and there are more coming.

There have also been special teams and unforgettable games.

The one team that was always a fan favorite was Allagash High School.

Virtually every girl in the tiny high school was involved in the basketball program when Allagash won back-to-back D state titles in 1976 and ’77. There was no shortage of McBreairtys on the team and there were also key players like Kadi O’Leary and Darlene Kelly. There were also plenty of Haffords.

Ini 1976, the population of the town of Allagash was 800.

So many players from small high schools have made impacts at the next level like Ashland’s Liz Coffin, Van Buren’s Parise Rossignol and Wisdom High of St. Agatha’s Tracy Guerrette. They starred and served as captains at UMaine after playing for small schools.

Austrian exchange student Sigi Koizar played for Class C Stearns of Millinocket before captaining the Black Bears.

The games themselves have produced plenty of buzzerbeaters and upsets. Everybody has a few they will never forget.

There also are families with a long history of tournament participation.

Kristi Wildman Tapley played for Stearns and she has had four daughters play for Stearns in the tournament: Raychel, Emma, Katherine and Alisyn.

Whether it was Title IX that served as the impetus for the addition of the schoolgirl basketball tournaments or not, we owe a debt of gratitude to those who had the foresight to expand the high school tournaments to include the girls.

Dick Barstow, 2015 Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

(Left) Hermon basketball coach Rick Sinclair hugs Chris Gray after the Hawks won the Class B regional championship in 2000 at the Bangor Auditorium.

BDN FILE PHOTO

BRADSTREET, SINCLAIR HAVE EXPERIENCED TOURNEY FROM VARIOUS PERSPECTIVES

BY LARRY MAHONEY, BDN STAFF

J

ulie Bradstreet and Rick Sinclair have each participated in Maine high school basketball tournaments in three different capacities.

Bradstreet, a Bridgewater native, played in the Eastern Maine [now North] tournament for Central Aroostook High School in Mars Hill. She coached girls tourney teams from Central Aroostook and Waterville and she is now a referee with several tourney games under her belt during her 11 years on the Central Maine board of officials.

Sinclair’s tournament experiences came as a player at Hermon, then as a coach at Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln and Hermon and most recently as the athletic

director at Hermon.

The 49-year-old Bradstreet, the first Miss Maine Basketball in 1988, said the three experiences are different.

“Playing and officiating are more similar than coaching,” Bradstreet said. “When you’re a player and an official, you have some control [over your actions]. As a player, you can go out and make a layup or grab a rebound, those types of things. “[As an official] you have days you feel sharp, you feel on [top of your game]. On other days, you feel you’re a second late or you’re late seeing things.”

Bradstreet said that as a coach, there is minimal control.

“You tell the kids what to do but whether they do it or not, you never know what’s going to happen,” Bradstreet said. “You don’t know who’s going to play well, who’s going to compete, who broke up with their boyfriend. There’s a million factors you have no control over.”

Sinclair shared similar observations, saying a player can exert the most influence on a game.

“As a player, you can go out and have an impact on a game,” he said.

Sinclair said coaching in the tournament is a thrill unto itself.

“It’s an exciting time of year because if your team is going to the tournament, it has been successful,” he said.

“But with all the preparation and work you do, it ultimately comes down to the players,” he said.

Athletic administrators have other concerns, including policing behavior and organizing other aspects “You have to make sure the kids in the student section are cheering appropriately, that the busses are ready when they are supposed to be and that the cheerleaders and band members have all the information they need,” Sinclair said. “Then you go to the game and cheer like heck!

Another aspect of the athletic director’s job is to console his coaches and players when they get eliminated.

Running through the tunnel at the Bangor Auditorium for a tournament game was a rush for Sinclair and Bradstreet.

“I was excited,” Bradstreet said of playing alongside her teammates.

“It’s everything you look for in terms of a competitive experience,” Sinclair said.

“As a player and a coach, you’re more excited than nervous.”

They each have a number of fond tourney memories.

Bradstreet recalls her sophomore year when Central Aroostook upset Deer IsleStonington thanks to her three consecutive baskets.

“It was one of those years we weren’t

supposed to do well. It was a fun year in that regard,” she said.

She also remembered playing in the Eastern Maine Class C final her senior year.

“Even though we lost [to Schenck of East Millinocket], it was a great feeling to play in a game like that. I wish I had taken in more [of the atmosphere]. You don’t get those days back,” she said.

Bradstreet was a captain at UMaine who led the team in assists during 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 and owns the school record for steals in a game (10) and in a season (107).

In her first season as a head coach in 1993, she guided Central Aroostook to the Class D championship and a berth in the state final against Rangeley, a 45-41 loss.

“There was so much excitement in the County,” Bradstreet said. “There was so much community pride. You didn’t want to let the folks down.”

Sinclair, a member of the Husson University Hall of Fame, recalled losing to Orono in the 1991 EM Class B title game and to Rockland in the 1992 semifinals.

“I have friends from Orono who constantly remind me of that one,” Sinclair said. “We lost to Rockland by five in the semis the next year and Rockland went on to win the state championship [64-48 over York].”

“You don’t remember the wins as much as you do the losses,” said Sinclair, who was the boys basketball coach and athletic director at John Bapst High School in Bangor before taking the Hermon job in 2017.

The 1999-2000 campaign was memorable as he guided the sixth-seeded Hermon boys to the Class B East crown and a state runner-up finish.

“We played [top seed] Erskine Academy [of South Hiram] in the Class B North final,” Sinclair said.

“We had already beaten the three seed and the two seed. Erskine jumped out to a big lead, we were down 13-4 after one, but we switched defenses and beat them pretty good,” he said.

It was Hermon’s first regional championship.

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

Julie Bradstreet, right, is presented by former University of Maine teammate Rachel Bouchard at the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor Aug. 21, 2016. Bradstreet grew up in Bridgewater and starred at Central Aroostook High School in the 1980s. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

“That was special. It was meaningful back then,” the 45-year-old Sinclair said.

He added that the state game was one of the best experiences he has ever had in sports due to the electric atmosphere.

As an administrator, Hermon’s Class B boys state basketball championship in 2018 was special.

“To go 22-0 and win the state championship in Bangor … that is probably the highlight of my AD career,” he said.

Bradstreet, a kindergarten teacher in Sidney, said there is a lot of pressure refer-

eeing tournament games.

“You don’t want to blow a call that ruins it for some team. These kids work hard all year. You want to officiate as accurately as possible. You are getting watched [and evaluated] as well. You want to give your best every night because the kids and coaches deserve it.”

Both said even though they have experienced a bunch of tournaments in their different capacities, they always look forward to the next one.

“I can’t wait,” Sinclair said.

Hermon High School athletic administrator Rick Sinclair is shown at a recent basketball game. He has experienced the regional basketball tournament as a successful player, coach and administrator. LARRY MAHONEY | BDN

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

GRANDMOTHER’S BASKETBALL CAREER PROVIDES A DEFENSE FOR LACK OF DEFENSE

BY ERNIE CLARK, BDN STAFF

T

his story isn’t specifically about this year’s high school basketball tournament, but it does involve a championship trophy.

Not mine, mind you.

The only basketball-related hardware I ever recall winning was from a free-throw shooting contest at a University of Maine summer basketball camp.

My high school varsity basketball career came during what might be described as a “transitional phase” for the program at Foxcroft Academy. It began the year after the Ponies’ 1975 Class B state championship featuring former University of Maine center Kevin Nelson and ending two years before the school’s 1979 trip to the Eastern Maine final.

The 1976 team finished 6-12, the 1977 team 4-14.

My play was noticeable enough that I was given a nickname — “Ernie No D” — as an homage of sorts to one of the top collegiate players of the time, Ernie DiGregorio.

Ernie D. was a flashy, All-American guard from Providence College in Rhode Island who went on to play in the NBA and was a 2019 inductee into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.

I was not, a reality bolstered by a quality of defensive play on this end that wasn’t later going to be confused with the Celtics’ Marcus Smart.

The fact my coach at the time was the one who gave me the name only added to its validity. I couldn’t argue the point.

But all these decades later I’ve finally found the reason for any perceived defensive liabilities on my part, thanks to a visit to Eastport and a trip back in time through the pages of the Passamaquoddy Oracle, the Shead High School yearbook.

I never really got to know my grandmother Henrietta Blackwood Cleland. I was barely 4 months old when she passed away.

I never heard much about her athletic exploits for many years as I foolishly went through life thinking I was the best basketball player in my immediate family.

But a search through my grandparents’ home after my grandfather Ernest “Doc” Cleland died revealed a sterling silver cup proclaiming H. Blackwood a Washington

TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020

County basketball champion from Shead Memorial High School.

Exactly what year that particular trophy was earned isn’t clear, but I learned during a visit to Shead last spring that it could have been any of her four years of high school.

Young Henrietta Blackwood was a four-year starter for a Shead team that during the early and mid-1920s captured at least five consecutive county championships under coach Winifred Brooks.

Those were the days when girls basketball was played 6-on-6, with three players on the offensive end of the court and three others limited to defensive duty.

My grandmother’s career was played strictly on offense as she helped Shead compile a 32-5 record from 1923 through 1926. She led the Tigerettes in scoring during each of her final three seasons.

Her team went 9-1 during her sophomore campaign, which led to the following notation in the 1924 Oracle.

“Two weeks later we put in a challenge in the Bangor paper for the state championship [with no takers].

“Now the question is: Have we the right to claim a State Championship? We certainly have.”

Five decades ensued before schoolgirl basketball state champions were crowned as they are celebrated today in Maine, but it’s hard to argue the Tigerettes’ case either in 1924 or in 1926 when they finished unbeaten at 9-0.

My grandmother’s individual contributions to that effort — as a senior she scored what was believed to be a career-high 14 baskets during a 46-11 victory over Calais — also has since served to answer the “Ernie No D” question regarding my alleged lack of defense back in the day.

Coach, it was hereditary!

Henrietta Blackwood Cleland’s Washington County champion girls basketball cup. ERNIE CLARK | BDN

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TOURNEY TIME 2020 • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • February 14, 2020