By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
After a whirlwind nine days of tournament action, the boys' and girls' basketball state finals are set. After a regular season of unpredictability, the biggest surprise of the postseason has been the success and perseverance of the top seeds.
In Western A boys' action, top-ranked Cheverus won its first regional final in four tries after holding off No. 2 Thornton Academy, 40-31. The Stags, who beat nemesis Portland handily in the semifinals, grabbed the early lead and held on thanks to staunch defense. Ian Barwise had 12 points, while Will White and Mick DiStasio (who was named the top player/sportsman of the regional tournament) had eight apiece.
“It's a relief,” Cheverus coach Bob Brown said. “Four weeks ago, we were all wondering what we were doing. It was a great turnaround. Credit the kids. They started playing like young men who are teammates.”
The Stags will meet Eastern A champion Bangor in the state final Saturday evening at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland. The Rams are the defending state champions and have crushed virtually every foe during a perfect season.
“If we play together and we share the ball the way we can, not many teams can beat us,” Barwise said.
In Western B, top-ranked Cape Elizabeth won its first regional crown in 20 years Saturday with a 57-50 win over No. 6 Freeport. The Capers had rallied for a hard-fought win over No. 4 Greely in the semifinals.
The Falcons followed up their quarterfinal round upset win over No. 3 Mountain Valley with an upset victory over No. 2 Yarmouth in the semifinals. In the regional final, however, Cape Elizabeth shot lights-out in the first half and made just enough free throws and defensive stops late in the game. Junior Alex Bowe had 21 points for the Capers. Sophomore Andrew Dickey added 13. Junior Jon Klages led Freeport with 15 points.
“It's really a tribute to everybody that's come through our program since I started coaching here and put all the time and effort and sacrifice and hard work and came close and fell short,” said Capers' coach Jim Ray, who has been joined on the title ride by his son, Tommy. “I always wondered what it would feel like as a coach to have a team win. I'm calm. To me, this is as much for all those kids who came up short.”
Freeport wound up 15-6 after its first trip to the regional final since 1970.
“The kids were great,” Falcons' coach Craig Sickels said. “I told them in the locker room in 21 years of coaching, I've never been more proud of any group of guys. This team here wasn't expected to do very much. We started out fast, then we struggled. To come in seeded 6 and beat 3, beat 2 and give 1 a battle, I'm really proud of the guys. We just came up one game short.”
The Eastern B story was one of Maranacook's coronation, as the Black Bears defeated Camden Hills in the regional final for their 21st straight win. Cape Elizabeth and Maranacook will meet for the Class B championship Friday night in Bangor.
“We're happy to play in the game,” Ray said. “Maranacook's a very good team with talented players. We'll go to work. It'll be a great experience for the kids.”
The only non-No. 1 boys' seed to win a regional title came in Western Class C, where No. 2 Winthrop held off the top-ranked Cougars of Dirigo, 51-45, in the championship game. The Ramblers will face Calais (which hasn't lost a game in three years) in the state title tilt Saturday in Augusta. Calais defeated Lee Academy, 77-54, Saturday to repeat as regional champions.
Western D top seed Richmond had to rally from a huge early deficit in the regional final, but had enough to defeat No. 2 Valley, the perennial contender, 61-57. The Bobcats will face Central Aroostook in the Class D Final Saturday in Augusta. Central Aroostook, the top seed in its region, barely held off No. 2 Woodland, 67-59, in overtime in its regional final.
Five of the eight No. 1 girls' seeds reached the state game.
In Western A, preseason favorite Deering ran roughshod on the region, crushing No. 8 Massabesic in the quarterfinals, rolling over No. 5 Westbrook with a dominating defensive performance in the semifinals, then ending No. 3 Noble's dreams in the regional final. The Rams allowed the Blue Blazes a single third-period point in the semifinals and never let Knights' junior star, Sloane Sorrell, breathe in the regional title game. Senior Nicole Garland had 16 points and sophomore center Claire Ramonas added nine points, while playing superb defense.
“It feels so awesome,” Garland said. “We've been waiting for this a long time. We've worked hard.”
“This is amazing,” Ramonas added. “We've been working since Day 1 to get to the state championship. It's an unreal feeling.”
Deering will meet surprise Eastern A champion Oxford Hills. The Vikings overcame the No. 5 seed and upset both No. 1 Lawrence and defending state champion Cony (ranked third) to advance. The Rams and Vikings will do battle Saturday afternoon in Portland for the Gold Ball.
“We worry about Deering High and playing our brand of basketball,” Rams' coach Mike D'Andrea said. “I don't think we need to worry about any opponent. It'll come down to who plays and who makes shots. I know they're a good basketball team because they're in the state championship game. You don't get there unless you're a solid basketball team. We know we have our work cut out for us. We'll work hard and be ready. We won't take anybody lightly. Hopefully we can come out and play strong and get off to a good start and be successful. It'll come down to who makes shots and who defends.”
In Western B, top-ranked Lake Region won its third successive regional crown Saturday, edging No. 2 Falmouth, 37-33. The Lakers were tested during their tournament run by Wells, York and finally the Yachtsmen, but they got 12 points from senior Renee Nicholas in the final and rode a strong defensive effort to victory.
“I just couldn't be prouder of my kids,” Lake Region coach Paul True said. “Falmouth gave us a battle. Falmouth is a great team. We have a tremendous amount of respect for them and for Coach Conant. We knew it was going to be a battle. I thought our kids did a great job gritting it out.”
Falmouth wound up 18-3 and is still seeking its first regional championship.
“We fell just a little bit short. Again,” Conant lamented. “Lake Region's a great team. I respect them to no end.”
The Class B Final will be a rematch of last year's thriller. Undefeated defending champ Waterville set up the encore when it downed No. 3 Mattanawcook in the Eastern B Final Saturday. The Purple Panthers beat the Lakers, 52-51, last season and will be a formidable foe in the state game, Friday night in Bangor.
“This is certainly going to be our biggest challenge by far,” True said. “Waterville's an outstanding ball club. It's a tough task. We'll play physical. We'll have to make them work for every basket they get. We need to shoot the ball well. We'll play hard and hopefully create some turnovers. I'm hoping we'll come out loose. Other than the girls in our locker room, not very many people will give us a chance. It's a great experience for the kids. I'm so happy they'll be able to play in that atmosphere. We'll play hard. Win or lose, I'll be proud of them.”
In Western C, top-ranked Madison downed No. 2 Monmouth, 37-34, in the regional final Saturday night. The Bulldogs downed surprise No. 12 seed St. Dom's in the semifinals, while the Mustangs were ending the stirring run of No. 3 Waynflete.
Eastern Class C produced one of the few non-No. 1 seeds to emerge. Number 2 Lee Academy crushed top-ranked Houlton, 73-49, for the right to play for a Class C championship, one year after the Pandas took top honors in Class D. Lee and Madison will meet Saturday in Augusta.
Top-ranked Buckfield was hardly tested in its run to the Western D championship, which was capped with a 51-37 win over No. 3 Vinalhaven. The Bucks will face Eastern D champion Woodland in the state final Saturday in Augusta. Woodland, the No. 2 seed, eliminated No. 4 Ashland, 70-34, in its regional final.
Hockey: Scarborough Makes Big Preliminary-Round Impression
The hockey playoffs are underway and the Scarborough Red Storm are making some noise. Coming off a challenging regular season which saw them win only six games, the Red Storm, who earned the 12th and final playoff spot in Western Class A, upset No. 5 Thornton Academy, 6-3, in the preliminary round Saturday. Scarborough advanced to face No. 4 Bonny Eagle in the quarterfinals.
Other preliminary-round winners in the region included No. 6 St. Dom's (8-1 over No. 11 Westbrook), No. 7 Lake Region/Fryeburg (7-3 over No. 10 South Portland) and No. 8 Portland (5-3 over No. 9 Deering). The Saints go to No. 3 Falmouth, Fryeburg is at No. 2 Kennebunk, while the Bulldogs draw top-ranked, undefeated and defending state champion Biddeford. Those quarterfinal games were scheduled for Tuesday, but could be postponed if a predicted snowstorm materializes.
The Western A semifinals are Saturday in Lewiston. The regional final is next Tuesday in Portland.
In Eastern A, top-ranked Lewiston will meet No. 9 Messalonskee (a 5-2 winner over No. 8 Cony in the preliminary round) in one quarterfinal round game. Number 2 Brewer (the defending Class B champion) hosts No. 7 Brunswick; No. 3 Waterville welcomes No. 6 Bangor and No. 5 Gray-New Gloucester/Poland goes to No. 4 Lawrence.
The Class A Final is Saturday, March 8 at 6 p.m., at the Colisee in Lewiston.
In Western B, No. 4 Leavitt defeated No. 5 Maranacook in the lone quarterfinal round game Monday. The Hornets will face top-ranked York in one semifinal round game Saturday night in Portland. Number 2 Greely and No. 3 Cape Elizabeth will do battle in the nightcap.
The winners play Wednesday of next week in the regional final at Lewiston.
In Eastern B, No. 4 Presque Isle and No. 5 Houlton met up in the preliminary round for the right to face top-ranked Winslow in the semifinals. Number 2 John Bapst and No. 3 Gardiner meet in the other semi.
The Class B state final is Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m., at the Colisee in Lewiston.
Skiing: Yarmouth Sweeps in Class B
The storied Yarmouth ski program managed a first last week when both the boys' and girls' teams came in first combined for the first time in school history. The Clippers swept the Nordic titles and placed very high in Alpine (boys second, girls third). The boys' Alpine title was won by Fryeburg Academy. Mt. Abram took the girls' crown.
In the Class A meet, newcomer Greely won the won the girls' Nordic title and was two points shy of the overall crown. Mt. Blue was the Nordic and combined boys' champion. Edward Little took the boys' Alpine title. Marshwood captured the Nordic championship. Mt. Blue was first overall.
Fort Kent's boys and the Freeport girls won Class C overall titles. On the boys' side, Central Aroostook won the Alpine crown. Waynflete repeated as Nordic champ. Telstar won the girls' Alpine title. Waynflete (last year's champ) and Fort Kent tied for the Nordic title.
Michael Hoffer is the sports editor of The Forecaster, a family of weekly newspapers based in Falmouth. Michael can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.
