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Troy Eastman has the best of both worlds right now.
As a vice principal at Oxford Hills Middle School in West Paris, he’s enjoying the success of the Eastern Maine Class A champion Oxford Hills of South Paris girls basketball team.
And as the coach of the Buckfield girls, he won a Western Maine Class D title last week and the school’s first undefeated season – so far, anyway – since 1990.
“I get to be part of the excitement at [Oxford Hills] … It’s been a big spark for the area,” he said. “We had a big crowd Saturday and the girls have bought into it. They’re excited.”
Saturday’s regional final win over Vinalhaven was Buckfield’s first since that 1990 season, in which the Bucks went on to beat Central Aroostook of Mars Hill 48-39.
Buckfield also won the WM title in 1989 and had five straight regional wins from 1976 to 1980. The Bucks won a state title the last season of their run.
Eastman is hoping to renew that tradition as he leads the excited but relatively young Bucks into the Class D state championship game against Eastern Maine winner Woodland Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center. The game starts at 1 p.m.
Defense and a well-rounded offense have been key for Buckfield this season.
The Bucks can play man-to-man defense or throw a number of zone looks at teams, too.
“We do a lot of different defenses, whatever we need,” Eastman said. “It’s a big benefit that we’re able to do that. … We’re pretty quick. We have a lot of 5-7, 5-8 girls who are athletic and quick.”
The Bucks will need quickness and athleticism against the Dragons, who play an aggressive, trapping 1-2-2 zone defense that forces a lot of turnovers. Woodland senior guard Rachel Torrey, who was named to the Eastern Maine all-tourney team, heads up that effort.
“Our guards are the strength of our team,” Eastman said. “We’ll need their leadership.”
Buckfield got some experience playing against a similar defense this year, he added, in a win over North Yarmouth Academy. Eastman said the game against the Panthers was a battle for the Bucks.
Not all games have been that way, however. Buckfield held at least six teams to fewer than 25 points this season. The Bucks outscored their opposition 165-85 in the playoffs, including an 85-29 win over No. 9 Seacoast Christian of South Berwick.
One concern for the Bucks, Eastman said, is their inexperience against tall, skilled post players. They’ll see that Saturday in Woodland’s senior 6-footer Courtney Cochran, who was the Eastern Maine tourney MVP.
To try to prepare for taller players this season, Eastman has had his squad play some practice games and scrimmages against Oxford Hills, which has a good center in 6-0 Megan Joyce, and Madison’s 5-10 standout center Margo Russell.
Offensively, sophomore guard Ashley Hamann leads the Bucks with 12 points per game. Hamann was the Western Maine tournament MVP.
She’s followed by 5-foot-7 junior forward Lindsey Henderson (11 ppg) and senior guard Alyssa Henderson (9 ppg).
Junior guard Emily Eastman and 5-8 senior center Kasey Farrington also start for the Bucks. Abby Jones, a 5-10 junior center, comes off the bench along with 5-8 junior forward Tristen Newton.
All those sophomores and juniors will gain a lot no matter what happens against Woodland, Eastman said.
“We’re just trying to get the most out of the experience, no matter what happens,” he added. “It’ll be a great experience for the team, especially with the kids we have coming back next year.”
jbloch@bangordailynews.net
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