Eastern Maine Class B boys champion Winslow will face a tall challenge when they take on Western Maine champ Mountain Valley of Rumford Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center in the state championship game beginning at approximately 9 p.m.

The fourth-seeded Falcons knocked off the third seed, Greely of Cumberland Center to win the Western Maine crown. They are returning to the state championship game for the first time since 1994, when Andy Bedard led them to the title over then Camden-Rockport.

Winslow was the fifth seed in the Eastern Maine tourney and beat second-seeded Erskine Academy of South China in the final. The 17-4 Black Raiders last won a state basketball championship in 1939. That was also the last year they appeared in the game.

To take the gold ball home this year, the Black Raiders will have to deal with a pair of 6-foot-6 inside players in junior Isaac Stickney and sophomore Jarod Oldham.

Coach Ryan Casey described Oldham as a post player with good moves around the basket.

Stickney can play the post, but will roam as well.

“He can square up the basket. He has a pretty good shot,” Casey said.

Point guard Craig Milledge stands 5-10 and is known more for his ball distribution than his scoring.

“He breaks people down and gets the ball to the scorers,” Casey said.

Sophomore Zack Fergola is the 18-3 Falcons’ blue-collar guy.

“He’s pretty much a take-the-ball-to-the-hole kinda guy,” Casey said. He has a pretty good jump shot and he does most of the dirty work for us defensively. He keeps us playing hard.”

Kevin Gallant is a 6-0 senior shooting guard. He averages 15 points per game.

Casey said Mountain Valley can play up to 11 players.

“Sometimes we go 10 in the first eight minutes. Sometimes we go six. A lot has to do with the other team’s style,” Casey said.

Junior Matt McCann (6-5) comes off the bench to spell the big guys.

A pair of 6-0 seniors, Richard Kerhonen and Jesse Theriault, are also a part of the Falcons’ rotation.

Casey said the Falcons are able to react to the way the opposition plays.

“Offensively, we take what the defense gives us. We’ll transition if we have the numbers. We look for the best shot that we can find,” Casey said.

The Black Raiders are led by NEWS Eastern Maine tourney most valuable player Micah Grant. The 6-0 senior averaged 17.8 ppg in the tournament including 26 points in the championship game.

NEWS All-Tourney Team member Erik Lopez averaged 13 ppg during the tourney.

Nate Boutin, a 6-5 senior, showed an ability to score and is a reliable rebounder.

Junior guard Josh LaPointe (6-0) is a strong defender whose fourth quarter steal and layup was a key play in the championship game.

Adam Haskell, a 6-4 junior, provides a presence in the lane and is a tough rebounder.