Hampden’s big 3 consistently tourney tough Broncos forward adds Silver lining

AUGUSTA – Hampden Academy’s run to its second straight Eastern Maine Class A boys basketball championship has been marked by remarkable offensive consistency.

Senior center Jordan Cook, senior guard J Uhrin and junior point guard Daniel McCue averaged a combined 48 points per game during the regular season, and averaged 51.7 points in the Broncos’ tournament victories over Bangor, Gardiner and Brunswick.

Cook averaged a tournament-best 25.7 points and 14 rebounds per game, just slightly above his regular-season averages of 24 points and 10 boards. The 6-foot-10 center shot 60 percent from the field during Hampden’s 15-3 regular season, 63 percent (31 of 53) during the tournament.

“You know what to expect from him every night on both ends of the floor,” said Hampden coach Russ Bartlett.

Uhrin averaged 14 points per game during the regular season, and 14.3 points during the tournament, while McCue averaged 11.7 points in the tourney after averaging 10 points per game during the season.

Collectively, the Broncos shot 48 percent from the field in their three tournament victories, as well as 78 percent from the free throw line. Cook led the way from the field, while McCue shot 86 percent (25 of 29) from the line to help Hampden protect leads late in games.

“Usually when we get a lead we can hold it,” said senior forward Max Silver, “because we have great foul shooters in J and McCue and Cook. They can knock them down all night, and they do a good job of taking care of the ball.”

Broncos find Silver lining

Max Silver struggled with fouls during Hampden Academy’s 55-38 victory over Gardiner in the Eastern Maine Class A semifinals.

But the 6-foot-2 senior forward rebounded mightily in the title game, scoring 10 points and grabbing 14 rebounds as the defending state champs defeated Brunswick 62-49 on Friday night to claim their second straight regional crown.

“I had gotten a little rattled the last game and I needed to keep my composure,” said Silver. “I just needed to stay within my role, which is rebounding and defense. I was able to get a few points [Friday] and a few more rebounds than usual. I just had a good game at the right time.”

Credit that at least partially to a pre-game chat between Silver and Broncos’ coach Russ Bartlett.

“I told Max that I thought there was nothing wrong with his effort so far in this tournament, but he had been very emotional and it was hurting him on the court,” said Bartlett. “I told him that he could play at a high level but he had to be less emotional and I thought he was [Friday night]. He was very effective for us.”

Silver averaged three points and three rebounds per game during the regular season while complementing the inside play of 6-foot-10 senior Jordan Cook. But his contribution in the Eastern Maine final was far more than complementary.

“We tried to take Cook away, and Silver stepped in and really filled the void and made us change what we were doing,” said Brunswick coach Todd Hanson. “We had to almost man-up Jordan, and when you man up someone who is 6-10 and a Mr. Basketball finalist, he’s going to score 26 points, which is what he did.”