BANGOR – The Dexter girls basketball team heard it all season.

This was the year the Tigers would finally get knocked off in the Eastern Maine Class C tournament. With a new group of players starting in the backcourt and returning players in different roles,

But at least one thing was the same this year – Mallory Ames.

The 6-foot-6 senior center scored 26 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter as Dexter had to fend off dangerous eight seed Calais, en route to a 45-38 victory and a fifth straight Eastern Maine crown.

“Everyone doubted us, but we pulled it out,” said Ames, who also had 10 rebounds and three blocks for the defending Class C state champs.

“In the beginning of the season, everyone was talking about how our streak was going to end,” senior forward Katie Poirier added. “It’s just awesome knowing we proved everybody wrong.”

Coach Jody Grant’s 20-1 Tigers will go for their third gold ball since 2004 when they face Western Maine winner Mount Abram of Strong in Saturday’s 7:05 p.m. state championship game.

Poirier, who has been a strong post second option for the Tigers all year, added eight points and 13 rebounds.

Michelle Chapman, a junior guard who missed the entire 2005-06 season dealing with a thumb injury, played a key role for Dexter down the stretch after Calais twice took the lead in the third quarter and again went up 33-30 early in the fourth.

Jessica Brown of Calais, who scored all 10 of her points in the second half despite picking up her third foul early in the third, nailed a mid-range jumper for a three-point lead 1:20 into the fourth quarter. Ames responded with a basket off a Chapman pass, followed by a Chapman free throw to tie it.

She then fed Ames again for a 35-33 Dexter lead. After Brown scored again to tie it, Chapman hit two free throws to put the Tigers ahead for good.

“I said you know, I’ve watched other games and seen people miss free throws,” Chapman said. “I’m not gonna miss mine. I want to win this game.”

Calais stayed in it, however, when Kelli Cross drained an open 3-pointer to pull within two points. Ames made a free throw, followed by two Chapman foul shots, and then Chapman rebounded a Cross 3-pointer miss with 9.4 seconds remaining.

It was Chapman’s missed field goal that Ames rebounded with around five seconds left for the final margin.

Dexter senior Chelsie Chambers played tough defense on Calais senior Lindsey Mingo, who has been one of the Devils’ top scorers this year.

Dexter raced out to a 13-2 lead after the first quarter but 10 Tiger turnovers against the Calais’ pressure defense and a 9-0 run by the Blue Devils led to a 21-21 tie at halftime.

“We got our composure back, got a basket or two, and we were pretty even right down to the last minute or two,” Calais coach Bob McShane said. “Foul trouble did hurt us. But I’m proud of the kids.”

The Tigers rarely face man-to-man defenses as most opponents chose to go zone.

“We’ve never been very good with pressure,” Poirier said. “But we got through it.”

Calais didn’t go to the foul line in the second half.

TIGERS 45, BLUE DEVILS 38

Calais (15-7) Dexter (20-1)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Hill 1 10 0 0 3 Ames 11 16 4 26

Mingo 3 9 1 2 7 Chmbrs 0 3 2

Morrison 0 0 0 0 0 Gove 1 1 2

Clark 1 6 0 0 2 Burton 0 0 2

Allen 2 10 0 0 4 Chapman 0 2 5

Cross 3 6 0 0 8 Richrdsn 0 0

McVickar 0 0 0 0 0 Poirier 3 10 8

Beaton 2 2 0 1 4

Brown 5 10 0 0 10

Totals 17 53 1 3 38 Totals 15 32 15 21 45

Calais 2 21 29 38

Dexter 13 21 30 45

3-pt. goals – Calais (3-10): Cross 2-4, Hill 1-1, Clark 0-1, Allen 0-4; Dexter (0-0)