BANGOR – The near-soap opera surrounding Mallory Ames’ right ankle picked up again Saturday night as speculation peaked before the Eastern Maine Class C final between No. 1 Dexter and No. 7 Central of Corinth.

It was put to rest when the 6-foot-6 Dexter junior started and played most of the game, a 42-38 victory for the Tigers. Ames only came out of the game when she got into foul trouble.

During Friday night’s semifinal against No. 5 Houlton, Ames re-injured the ankle she had rolled in practice late last week. She was taped and wore a black brace for the EM final.

“I was going to play no matter what,” Ames said. “[Coach Jody Grant] was iffy on that. They taped my foot and got a brace for me and said I couldn’t play without it.”

Ames said she’s headed back to the doctor early this to week to get ready for Saturday’s state final.

The ankle was sore, she said, but her real trouble came when a blister developed on her left foot.

“That was the worst thing,” she said.