Class A Boys’ Basketball State Championship
A year ago, the Messalonskee boys’ basketball team lost a heartbreaker to Hampden Academy in the Class A North final, falling by a single point after the Broncos overcame a two-point deficit with less than 20 seconds left in the game.
The Eagles met the Broncos in the title match again last week and trailed by a single point at halftime. A weaker-minded team might have wilted against Hampden Academy, a team that has dominated Class A North in recent years.
But not the Eagles.
“They are mentally mature in a lot of ways,” Messalonskee head coach Sam Smith said of his players, “and that has allowed us to have a lot of success in the last few years.”
That success has a chance to reach the mountaintop Friday night when the Eagles tip off against Falmouth in the Class A championship game.
The game is slated for 7:45 at the Augusta Civic Center.
Messalonskee, the top seed in Class A North, earned its berth in the title game by rallying past Hampden Academy in the second half to prevail 49-37.
Ty Bernier scored 17 points to lead the Eagles in the victory. Teammates Ryan Parent and Parker Reynold each chipped in 10.
Falmouth advanced by edging Noble, the No. 1 seed in Class A South, 56-53 – its third regional championship in the last four seasons.
Davis Mann and Billy Birks carried the offensive load for the Navigators with 17 points apiece.
While Smith expects Falmouth to be a major challenge, he is confident his team has the experience, defense, and belief in one another to take home a Gold Ball.
“You can’t want it more than these kids,” he said of his team.
Game Information
What: Class A Boys’ Basketball State Championship
Who: Messalonskee vs. Falmouth
When: 7:45 p.m. Friday
Where: Augusta Civic Center
Admission: Free to all Messalonskee students (must have student ID) courtesy of Messalonskee All-Sports Booters; $10 for adults (cashless admissions-tickets can be purchased at https://gofan.co/app/school/MPA)
Note: Game can be watched on Maine Public