Panthers, Lee vying for titles Central Aroostook, Valley no strangers to state championship

BANGOR – Either Valley High of Bingham or Central Aroostook of Mars Hill has participated in the Class D boys basketball state final nine of the last 11 years.

But those teams have never met each other for the gold ball – until Thursday night, when they will square off for the 2005 championship at the Bangor Auditorium.

Valley won six straight state titles between 1998 and 2003, then lost to Calvary Chapel of Orrington in last year’s final.

Central Aroostook won state championships in 1994 and 1996, and narrowly missed a chance to meet Valley last March – losing in overtime to Calvary Chapel in the Eastern Maine final.

That they finally meet should bring about a high-paced matchup, because both programs enjoy transition basketball.

“I think it’s going to be a super game,” said Central Aroostook coach Tim Brewer, a player on the Panthers’ 1994 title team. “Both teams like to push the ball up the court. It should be a great game to watch.”

Central Aroostook (21-1) parlayed its quick-strike offense and aggressive defense into the Eastern Maine title last week, defeating Greenville, Calvary Chapel and top-seeded Lee Academy.

The Panthers are led by EM tourney MVP Andrew York, a versatile 6-foot-1 junior who averaged 20.7 points and 7.3 during his team’s three wins at the Auditorium. Senior point guard Jason Woodworth, junior guard Taylor McLaughlin and sophomore forward Tim Carlson also are capable scorers, while McLaughlin and senior center Brock Burtt lend a strong defensive presence.

“They’re just a very solid team, a very good shooting team,” said Valley coach Dwight Littlefield. “They’re certainly a team that’s very aggressive in the full-court or in their half-court defense. They do a lot of trapping and they run and jump and try to cause a lot of havoc.”

Valley (17-3) won its eighth straight WM title by avenging one of its regular-season losses with a 70-68 win over North Yarmouth Academy in the semifinals and then defeating No. 1 Pine Tree Academy 64-45 in the final behind 19 points and 10 rebounds from 6-foot-5 junior center Travis Hovey, the tourney MVP.

Hovey, who averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds in the WM tourney, has been the focal point of the Valley attack throughout the season. Six-foot-two Eric Hatfield complements Hovey on the front line.

“Travis is bigger and stronger, and more confident this year,” said Littlefield. “He’s pretty effective down low, but he’s also got good range on his shot.”

The Cavaliers don’t have the premier point guard that has guided the program from the mid-90s through 2004 – Chris Willer, Nick Pelotte and Mark Gaudet, all of whom went on to play in college. Valley does boast a veteran guard corps including Lucas Melcher, Tyler Giberson, Mark Hyland and Cole Pullen.

“Lucas has been with us for four years, he’s played in the Auditorium before, and Tyler and Mark both played last year, so we’ve got some good experience at the guard position,” said Littlefield. “It’s more of a team effort to get the ball down the court, rather than having one guy who could bring it up and penetrate any defense he faced.”

Both teams bring plenty of postseason experience into the contest. Valley has played the maximum number of tournament games each of the last eight years, while this will be the ninth game at the Auditorium for Central Aroostook in the last three seasons.

“We’ve got a lot of experience on this floor, the kids are familiar with it,” said Brewer, “We’re young, but we’re a pretty veteran team.”