Gerrity is Maranacook’s unsung hero in tournament run

Devin Gerrity wasn’t a prolific scorer during the regular season for the Maranacook of Readfield boys basketball team.

Seniors Ryan Martin, Will Bardaglio and Mike Poulin were counted on to handle that part of the game, while Gerrity was content to play nearer the basket and take scoring opportunities as they arose.

They arose often during Maranacook’s victorious run through the Eastern Maine Class B tournament, and the 6-foot-2 junior made the most of them.

Not only did Gerrity set an Eastern B tournament record with 11 3-pointers in three games, he shot an astounding 79 percent (11 of 14) from beyond the arc.

“He’s been our unsung hero lately,” said Black Bears senior guard Ryan Martin. “Everyone knows about me, Mike and Will because this is our fourth year now. When they key on us, Devin’s open and when Devin’s feet are set he’s one of our best shooters.”

Gerrity wasn’t nearly as prolific from long range during the regular season as he has been at the Bangor Auditorium.

He estimated he averaged just two 3-point shots per game during Maranacook’s 18-0 run to the No. 1 ranking in Eastern B, and he took just two long-range shots – making both – during the Black Bears’ 59-57 quarterfinal survival of No. 8 Rockland.

But in a semifinal free-for-all against Mattanawcook Academy of Lincoln when the teams combined for 44 3-point tries and Maranacook made a tournament-record 12 of its 23 attempts, Gerrity found his own 3-point comfort zone.

“I’d have to say the second 3-pointer I made versus Mattanawcook was the first time I really started getting going,” said Gerrity, who shot 5 of 6 from beyond the arc in Maranacook’s 89-70 victory over the Lynx.

Gerrity followed up that effort with an 18-point performance in Maranacook’s 84-72 win over Camden Hills of Rockport in Saturday’s regional final.

He went 4 of 6 from 3-point range against the Windjammers, including back-to-back shots from deep in the left corner during the third quarter that helped to quash any Camden Hills comeback hopes.

“We’ve been running a spread offense all year and that’s been my favorite spot,” said Gerrity, “so I figured if I get it there I might as well shoot it.”

For Maranacook coach Rob Schmidt, Gerrity’s 3-point proficiency is a welcome addition to an already potent offense.

“He’s a really good shooter when he gets his feet set,” said Schmidt. “He’s technically a four man [forward] for us, but he has the green light to go outside for us and shoot the 3’s.

“When you play against good defensive teams, you have to find other ways to score. He’s not a real big four man, so he’s not going to post anybody up. But we have confidence in his shooting ability, so when he popped out there we gave him the ball and he really came through.”

Bardaglio glad to be back

One player especially happy Maranacook is headed back to the Class B state championship game for the second time in three years is Black Bears’ guard Bardaglio.

The 6-foot-4 senior was a pivotal player in Maranacook’s run to its first-ever state championship in 2006, but his junior season was cut short by a bout of mononucleosis, which left him unable to play in the tournament as the top-seeded Black Bears suffered a stunning 58-50 quarterfinal loss to No. 8 Maine Central Institute of Pittsfield.

“It was tough watching from the bench last year, knowing I couldn’t do anything to help them except cheer,” said Bardaglio, who scored 20 points in this year’s regional final against Camden Hills. “In the off-season I worked on my game because I didn’t want that to happen again, and I’ve been healthy this year, which is fortunate for me.”

Last year’s loss has served as a constant reminder not just to Bardaglio but to the entire Maranacook team not to take any game for granted.