November 07, 2024
SCHOOLBOY BASKETBALL

Calais, CAHS shoot for state crowns today Panthers hope to defend title

Undefeated Calais and defending state champion Central Aroostook of Mars Hill carry the Eastern Maine banner into Saturday’s Class C and Class D boys basketball state finals at the Augusta Civic Center.

Central Aroostook (20-1) will face 17-3 Richmond for the Class D title at 3:05 p.m., following the girls final between Woodland and Valley of Bingham.

Calais (21-0) will square off against 18-3 Winthrop for the Class C boys crown at 9:05 p.m., after the girls final between Dexter and Hall-Dale of Farmingdale.

Central Aroostook (20-1) brings a 20-game winning streak into its quest for a second straight gold ball, and has won seven straight tournament games – all at the Bangor Auditorium.

Coach Tim Brewer’s sixth-ranked Panthers cruised through the Eastern Maine tourney, rallying from a two-point halftime deficit in its quarterfinal to defeat No. 3 Bangor Christian and then besting No. 2 Schenck of East Millinocket and top-ranked Deer Isle-Stonington to earn its trip to Augusta.

Central Aroostook is led by two-time Eastern D tournament MVP Andrew York, a 6-2 senior guard who averaged 18.3 ppg in this year’s regional, 6-0 junior forward Tim Carlson, who also averaged 18.3 ppg, and 5-11 senior forward Taylor McLaughlin, a key defensive weapon.

Richmond is seeking its first state title since 1986 after ending Valley’s eight-year hold on the Western D crown by upending the Cavaliers 56-49 in last Saturday’s regional final.

Coach Paul Lancaster’s Bobcats have four sophomores and six juniors on the roster, with 6-1 guard Billy Milne the lone senior starter.

The Bobcats feature 3-point shooting, having made 18 in a game against Forest Hills of Jackman and 10 – of their 17 total field goals – in their tourney win over Valley.

Milne, 6-0 sophomore Brandon Lancaster and 6-0 junior Glendon Kendrick are among the team’s 3-point shooting threats, while 6-foot-10 sophomore Marc Zaharchuk and 6-4 sophomore Sam Carter provide a tall inside presence for the Bobcats, who are riding a 10-game win streak.

Calais entered the weekend as one of two undefeated boys basketball teams in the state, along with Class B Mountain Valley of Rumford.

The Blue Devils anticipate an up-tempo challenge from Winthrop in their quest for the program’s first state title.

Coach Ed Leeman’s club features a balanced offense and defense led by 6-1 juniors Brandon Tomah – the Eastern C tourney MVP – and Chris Taylor, and also featuring seniors Adam Knowles and Mike Guthrie, junior Robbie Rogers, sophomore Sam Bell and 6-3 freshman Cal Shorey.

The top-seeded Blue Devils had little trouble in their regional, their closest game a 71-57 semifinal victory over No. 4 Madawaska. Calais topped Penquis of Milo by 27 points in the quarterfinals and bested No. 2 George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill 67-44 in the final.

Calais last appeared in a state final in 2002, losing a last-second 48-47 decision to Jay at the Augusta Civic Center.

Winthrop last reached the state championship game a year later when it fell to George Stevens Academy 66-58. The Ramblers are seeking their first gold ball since 1993.

The Ramblers feature 6-3 senior forward Tyler Smithgall, MVP of the Western C tournament after averaging 21.3 points in three games. That effort was highlighted by a 33-point performance in the semifinals, when Winthrop outlasted Dirigo of Dixfield 67-64 in double overtime on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by 6-1 sophomore Mike Gingras.

The second-ranked Ramblers edged No. 1 Boothbay 57-54 in the final to avenge a regular-season loss to the Seahawks.

Other key players for second-year coach Dennis Dacus’ club include 5-10 sophomore point guard Sam Leclerc, 5-10 junior Nate Damm and 6-1 sophomore Tim Gingras.


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