Hampden going for gold again

The battle of the buildings has been one topic of discussion during Tourney Week 2006, particularly with the move this year of the Eastern A regional to the Capitol City.

The ambiance of the Bangor Auditorium vs. the creature comforts of the Augusta Civic Center. The tradition of the auditorium floor vs. geographic convenience of the ACC.

But it’s really not a competition, this Bangor vs. Augusta thing. The real competition is reserved for the 84 feet of hardwood at each venue, and it is there that Bangor’s loss is Augusta’s gain, at least this year.

No, nothing to do with politics or the Maine Principals’ Association – just the chance to host Hampden Academy’s playoff run.

The Broncos are two difficult games away from winning the school’s second straight Class A state championship in boys basketball, beginning with tonight’s Eastern Maine final against No. 1 Brunswick. If that test is survived, the winner of the Western A final between Portland High and Deering of Portland awaits on Saturday, March 4.

Will they claim the gold ball again? Nothing’s certain, and to many the Broncos are probably not even the favorite.

That they are in position to defend their 2005 title is a credit to the collective talent and maturity of a band of teenage players and their coach.

There’s no trash to be talked with this group, a reflection of its quiet leader, 6-foot-10 senior center Jordan Cook. The big kid with the soft touch just plays – and saves his best for the biggest games. He was the MVP of last year’s Eastern A tournament, then had a monster game in the state final against Deering.

Through two games this postseason, the University of Maine-bound Cook is averaging 26.5 points, 14.5 rebounds and five blocked shots.

“Mr. Basketball numbers,” says his coach, Russ Bartlett.

The athletic J Uhrin and heady point guard Daniel McCue provide much of the offensive support. That they can is testament to the creativity they are allowed within the Broncos’ structure – and their contributions have become even more diverse on this, the biggest of stages.

“We don’t dribble-drive the ball much and deliver it, that’s something we’ve talked about but we’ve just not done a good job of,” said Bartlett after Wednesday night’s 55-38 semifinal win over Gardiner.

“We’ve started to pick up that part of the game, and it’s a part of the game that we weren’t even dipping into to use as a weapon. We’re starting to do that with J and Daniel, and they both can finish and they can deliver the ball. They’re doing both right now and making the right decisions.”

Max Silver, Evan Farley and Sam Hodgdon play the key complementary roles, working with Cook on the inside, playing tough defense and capitalizing on offensive opportunities.

Indeed, this is a team of well-defined roles, and one that is applying the lessons of climbing the championship ladder learned last year.

The Broncos enter tonight’s game against Brunswick coming off a semifinal masterpiece against Gardiner, a win that avenged one of the team’s three regular-season defeats and ranked with an early season victory against Bangor as its best performance of the season.

Good timing.

“We’re pretty confident,” said Uhrin, who is averaging 17 points in two tourney games. “We obviously have a lot of basketball left, but I think we’re starting to peak at the right time, and that’s pretty good for us.”

Ernie Clark may be reached at 990-8045, 1-800-310-8600 or eclark@bangordailynews.net