
Falmouth Navigators vs Messalonskee Eagles Boys Class A State Championship
2/28/2025 | 2h 17m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
Falmouth Navigators vs Messalonskee Eagles
Falmouth Navigators vs Messalonskee Eagles Boys Class A State Championship. At the Augusta Civic Center on February 28, 2025.
Maine High School Basketball Tournament is a local public television program presented by Maine PBS
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Falmouth Navigators vs Messalonskee Eagles Boys Class A State Championship
2/28/2025 | 2h 17m 36sVideo has Closed Captions
Falmouth Navigators vs Messalonskee Eagles Boys Class A State Championship. At the Augusta Civic Center on February 28, 2025.
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From the Augusta Civic Center.
It's the MBA boys class AA state championship presented by where Butler between the Falmouth Navigators and the Messalonskee Eagles.
And good evening, everyone, and welcome inside at Electric Augusta Civic Center.
I'm Rob Kennedy, along with the boys tonight.
Two teams with unfinished business.
We'll start with the found with navigators.
11 seniors on this team hoping that the third time is the charm.
Yeah.
They're no strangers to state championship games.
And their freshman year, they lost to Cooper Flagg in the comets down in Portland a couple of years ago in this game against Brewer, an unbelievable game ended with a Kim Hughes layup, defeating them at the buzzer and then last year they went out early.
So if they want to put a goal ball in the trophy case tonight's the last night for this big group.
And I'm sure they're ready to do that.
And let's coach by the Hall of Famer David Halligan.
Our Ethan Snow is standing by in a chat with the head coach of the navigators.
I'm standing here with Falmouth head coach David Allen.
Coach, you're no stranger to the state games yourself, and your team is here for the third time in the last four years.
How is it?
What is it going to take tonight to get the job done?
It's going to take a clean game, which means you can't make good mistakes, big mistakes against a good team.
You had a great game against noble in the regional final.
What can you what did you learn from that game that going to apply to your opponent and messalonskee tonight?
The two opponents are similar as I like to get up and down the court and like to shoot the three, so we got to defend that.
All right, coach, thank you very much.
Good luck tonight.
Back to you guys.
Messalonskee playing for the Gold Ball for the first time since 2017.
They've come in winning 14 straight games.
Haven't lost since January the 2nd.
Yeah really impressive finish to the season.
They started a little bit slow obviously last year they lost a heartbreaker to Hamden in the regional final and then lost their top player.
Eric Smith, who could have been a senior, instead decided to go to the prep ranks.
And that takes a bit to adjust to.
And Drake Brunel, their best on ball defender, broke his wrist at the end of football.
So a couple losses early but they've really hit their stride.
Dominated the class AA North tournament here last week and they are primed for their first goal ball in school history.
Sam Smith is their head coach.
Ethan Snow has made his way down to the messalonskee sidelines.
Let's check in with him.
Standing here and Messalonskee head coach Sam Smith.
Coach, first time this program has been here in quite some time.
Going up against an experienced former team.
Well, what's going to take to beat them tonight?
Well, we have a lot of respect for Falmouth first and foremost.
Dave Halligan one of the best, if not, you know, one of if not the best coach to ever do this in the state.
It's going to take, it's going to take a full 32 minutes and more if it if it if it needs that.
But, it's going to be a defensive effort.
It's going to be key tonight.
Awesome.
Thank you very much coach out tonight.
Back to you guys.
Take a look at those Falmouth navigators as they are 18 and three coming into the season.
Coming to this game here tonight.
Messalonskee the top seed in class A North in 19 and two on the season.
We'll take a look at the road to the gold here in class AA.
And now you see not much to choose from between these two teams.
Both score around 60 points a game.
Give up just a hair under 50.
And you know they both were highly seeded in their respective regionals.
Falmouth was able to knock off normal 53 5653 as you saw there.
That's a bit of an upset, but they're here all the time, as we said.
And Messalonskee kind of the, decided favorite all season long finish off Hamden, 4937 to end the regional final in here last week.
Two really good teams should be an up and down game tonight.
Rob and we're excited to see what unfolds.
Let's talk about some of the individuals on these two teams.
One of the things will be difficult is a single out.
Any one player.
These teams can beat you with depth and they have always a different player stepping up every single night.
We'll start with those navigators.
Overall, one of the guys what a great game was Davis man 17 points against noble to knock off the Knights to get here tonight.
Davis man also at 39 in the semifinal win against Freiburg he's probably their top scorer.
Obviously you've got Billy Berks as well who's one of those top scorers.
But as you said it can be anybody on any night.
It was a huge three pointer from Ezra Hamlin that gave him the lead late in that noble game.
So a really balanced attack.
Nobody you can really load up defensively because they can hurt you all the ways.
Messalonskee the same type of team overall.
You mentioned Eric Smith.
He was the big man who last year led them all the way to the regional final year.
But Kimball Union Academy in New Hampshire, well, what that did was allow some other players to step up and have an opportunity, become more complete players in this Messalonskee team, and they've changed their offense fundamentally.
You're not playing through the post.
You don't have somebody six nine, six, ten in there.
So now you see a lot more guard play.
Ty Bernier Ccbc all first.
You know first team all Ccbc Ryan parent an excellent shooter.
Drake Brunel an incredible defender.
So like you know Falmouth they can beat you a multitude of ways.
And it's going to be somebody stepping up tonight in the biggest stage possible to see who hoist that gold ball aka Reynolds.
Another guy we can talk about as well.
He's become a much more aggressive player in 2025.
As the Eagles get set to take on the navigators.
We'll head down the court side and pick up the house.
Mike the PA announcement and meet the navigators and the mind you that interscholastic athletics are an extension of the educational classroom.
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We expect that you will do your part by supporting the student athletes, coaches, game officials and fellow spectators in a positive manner.
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Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Hammond Lumber Company Auditorium at the Augusta Civic Center, where the Maine Class AA boys state championship game between the southern Maine champion navigators of Falmouth High School.
Visitors in the dark uniforms, and the Northern Maine champion Eagles of Messalonskee High School home team in the light uniforms.
Our officials this evening are Mr. Nadeau, Mr. Thornton and Mr. Rodriguez, official scorers Dave Burns, timers Rusty Hopkins and on the score clock is Lindsay Given.
Before announcing the starters, we'll introduce each team member for Falmouth wearing number zero.
Robbie Susi.
Number four Ben Robbins.
Number five Dominic Howe.
Number ten David Graver.
Number 24 Nick Roediger.
Number 25 Luca Roediger.
Number 32 Connor Gooch.
Number 44 Tyler Simmons.
Number 45 Thomas Gale.
Injured, unable to play.
Sam Lu injured.
Unable to play Ethan Doucette for Messalonskee, wearing number zero Anderson Arbor number four Josiah Stone.
Number ten Liam Allen.
Number 11 Michael Acorn.
Number 12 Colby Spry.
Number 21 Quinn Charles.
Number 22 Caleb Morris.
Number 23 Payton Kidd.
Number 30 Jeremiah McKenzie.
Number 33 Jeremy Connery.
Now for the starting lineups for tonight's game at forward for Falmouth.
A senior standing six three.
Number 11 Ezra Hamlin at forward for Messalonskee a senior standing six five.
Number five Parker Reynolds.
At forward for Falmouth a senior standing six two.
Number 30 Declan O'Brien at guard for Messalonskee a sophomore standing five nine.
Number 14 Sean Acorn at guard for Falmouth.
A senior standing six feet.
Number one Billy Burke's, guard for Messalonskee, a senior standing six one.
Number one Ty Bernier at guard for Falmouth, a senior standing 510.
Number two Jackson Cameron at guard for Messalonskee a senior standing six one.
Number two Ryan Parent at guard for Falmouth.
A senior standing six two.
Number three Davis, man, an at guard for Messalonskee A senior standing six two.
Number three Drake Brunel.
The coach for Falmouth is David Halligan.
The coach for Messalonskee is Sam Smith.
Just about set to go here.
Teams huddling up.
There's Dan Nadeau.
He'll be our referee tonight.
One of the three talked about the Messalonskee winning streak.
They almost got one going as well.
Nine straight wins for the navigators is a 7572 loss to class AA state finals.
Windham.
All the other losses this year for the Navigators to Scarborough in that season opening loss to noble, they avenge with a 5653 win in the regional finals last week.
I felt like all year long it was going to be noble or Falmouth came down to the regional final and the navigators edged ahead late for a 5653 win.
Messalonskee, wearing the whites here in Augusta, almost got the road Blues on.
Sit back.
Relax.
Remember you're watching this game from the state of Maine, around the country or all around the world.
We're happy to bring it to you here at Maine Public Television.
Parker Reynolds set to jump with Ezra Hamlin and a ball controlled by the navigators.
Billy Burks handling the basketball.
Jackson Cameron's a senior.
He's got the ball now around the screen from Hamlin.
Take it all the way in.
Pass it off.
Dangerous pass picked off by Brunell.
Got airborne really with nothing in mind.
And threw it away.
Break ground.
Drive.
Missed it.
Rebound.
Grabbed by Billy Burks.
And with the basketball this time Sean Acorn guarding him Billy Burks goes baseline spike that off a messalonskee play.
It was Ryan Parrott.
Come back come the Eagles few possessions two turnovers on the start.
Coach Halligan wanted rallying violation called against Parker Reynolds.
So both teams no points here.
The basketball twice.
Some early nerves to be expected a state championship no matter how many games you played in the tournament, there's only one of this magnitude.
It doesn't really matter what the floor is either, right?
Messalonskee played here in the regional final, but a state championship game even for the navigators whose players have been here and now for the third time, it's difficult.
O'Brien off the iron for three and the rebound to Drake.
Now.
We're now a tough competitor on the inside a little bit undersized.
He'll back around on the glass and he's a great on ball defender Ryan Parent excellent three point shooter.
Didn't want that one.
Will take it all the way to the rack and tried to spike that off Davis man a great job by man to get back in bounds before he gathered the ball man with it now a senior.
Got to watch him in the three point shot.
He shot 51% from three point land in the regular season.
Got his man in the air and kisses it off the glass for two and hesitated.
The leading shot blocker is Parker Reynolds in class eight North.
He gave a little head fake, let Parker Reynolds fly by and he lead it in.
Drake Burrell with the basketball for the Eagles.
O'Brien covering closely and now trying to explode it again.
That's nice being very aggressive trying to take it to the rack.
And that time a foul called.
They're going to get it on the floor.
So shooting.
So you're Drake Brunel driving down the right hand side a clear bump there from O'Brien.
Foul one for a foul.
The game goes against Declan O'Brien.
Parker Reynolds outside a parent pass a little over Cook's last touch by the Eagles.
Fouled with basketball.
And that's hard to see to see one go through to settle those nerves.
Each possession that goes by without points makes you a little bit more nervous.
Once you get one to drop two times, the front climbs the pump a little bit really settles those nerves quite a bit.
Billy Burke's Hamlin back outside Jackson Cameron Hamlin holding, exploring some options that's stolen over here and I just savoring.
Last night I had two hands ready all right.
But that was right here.
First courtside game of the year for us.
In a minute in we get some action.
Always going to be paying attention down here at courtside.
As you can see us right there I was ready to catch and shoot.
But not me.
That would've been embarrassing.
Jackson Cameron trying to shake a court.
And one miscommunication there with Billy Burks.
But he recovered.
And one set the screen.
Hamlin spinning into the paint.
Man's outside.
Davis man stops pops and partially blocking.
Either way, the Eagles defense altered that shot.
And here comes Acorn and you see the defense from Brunel.
That's his calling card.
Acorn baseline doubled lost the handle.
This will be a jump ball.
It'll stay with Messalonskee.
Great job getting on the floor there Jackson Cameron.
The drive on the baseline a little bump there.
And Cameron from behind digs it out of there.
Dives on the floor to get the ball.
Not getting past.
As for Hamlin in that situation.
Ty Bernier double fadeaway.
Tough shot.
And he nailed it.
He's the go to guy.
And they were down two points a hand in the halftime.
They made a concerted effort to get him a couple shots early in the half.
And he put him ahead.
And they didn't look look behind him 17 points in that Cameron Academy victory Davis man.
Oh what a drive there up the left side.
And the lefty goes down and hammers one.
And we'll get some excitement going on here.
As if there wasn't enough already.
Break Brunel to tie Bernier in a battle of number ones with Billy Burks.
Bernier takes on Burks and Brooks defense forces the Miss shot there from Bernier goes wide work stopping and that was blocked.
They tried to take on Parker Reynolds and the big man won the battle.
Acorn little pass underneath Acorn saved it right to Jackson Cameron Cameron fouled with running the floor man.
Baseline off the glass yeah nice spin move there.
Didn't anticipate the fact he's left handed.
He just caught the ball spun baseline and laid it in four point lead for the navigators here at the timeout called halfway through just about this first quarter.
Here's a look at the dunk here.
Nobody there.
Help side.
He goes up and hammers one down Davis man all six points.
Take a look at coach David Halligan.
Team is coach Halligan right there 614 wins a member of the Maine Basketball Hall of Fame.
Just got into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame.
That's pretty impressive.
While you're still coaching, here's a baseline spin here from Davis, man.
But I think I read that Coach Halligan has 600 wins in soccer and in basketball.
Only the third guy ever to get to 600 in basketball and six goal balls already in hoops and 12 in soccer.
It's impressive enough to get to 600 wins in any one sport to do it twice.
That's ridiculous to wonder when that's going to be equal, if it'll be equal here in the state of Maine, probably never again.
Right?
Cornell with the basketball for Messalonskee.
Parker Reynolds outside.
He'll hand that off to Bernier.
Ryan Perron for three.
Bumming parents a big time three point shooter.
High Arctic three.
And he could rattle off three in a row.
Really streaky shooter.
He let out a big drive when he went through a big shot for the Eagles.
But right to answer back navigators come close Billy Burke's the rebound batted down.
The parent thrown out and a little bit of a piece of daylight there.
Couldn't quite explain it.
Reynolds picked his dribble up right.
Cornell again Sean acorns what you do the left hand a lot of traffic inside.
Kickout Reynolds off the iron and the rebound.
Grab by Ezra Hamlin rattles an excellent three point shooter.
Don't let the height fool you.
Sometimes you think those big guys can't shoot.
He is a great three point shooter a three point a couple three pointers in semifinal win against Camden Hills.
All right guys Jackson Cameron Burke's rushing all around the screen.
Return that pass to Hamlin.
Hamlin's trapped.
Has to get rid of it.
Brooks again.
Yeah.
Fascinating matchup between Brooks and Brooks and Bernier here tonight.
Battle of the ones.
As you said Davis man again and trying to explode into the hole made a couple of defenders there.
Kick out to Hamlin for three.
Yeah he hit the same shot to put him ahead of no.
Well David Halligan said it was no no no.
Yes.
The glove that went in and he says coach I got it.
I got another one in me.
Four point lead for the navigators.
With their first goal ball since 2016, the Eagles, trying to win their first ever.
Reynolds back outside to Drake Burnell.
Burnell get underneath.
Arnold's outside.
It's Burnell again.
The navigators very confident in the three point shooting ability.
This Messalonskee team.
Cornell will take the three point shot.
Not quite Davis man skying for the rebound for Falmouth has been one and done on the defensive rebounds for Falmouth.
Has got to do that against this Messalonskee team.
Davis man again the no look pass anyone touch it nope.
It's Messalonskee basketball.
We'll get our first subs Tyler Simmons in for Falmouth.
David Graver also checking in for the Navigators.
And Anderson our boy you see him right now just earlier in the game for Messalonskee.
Good pace to this one.
Some really good athletes on the floor.
If you were expecting a, you know, 7070 shootout I don't know if that's in the cards too good a defense.
I mean a fast paced game though.
You mentioned that we knew that was the case coming in.
These teams love to run here now.
Great pass and off the glass for two.
Parker Reynolds a little backdoor cut over played on the perimeter.
Nice job by Reynolds making the cut.
And a good pass from Burnell.
The lead now two for the navigators.
Under a minute and a half to go in the first quarter.
Tremendous pace here.
Not many whistles.
Only one foul so far Billy Burke's around the screen.
There's Graber now the high floater won't go.
And the rebound.
Our Anderson Arbor just in the game.
So Wolski a chance to take the lead here.
Arbor.
Reynolds down low.
No foul call.
They'll get Tyler Simmons for that.
Simmons a little bit too much of the body there.
As you see here.
Reynolds trying to drive down the left hand side a little bump and reach.
Second foul in this game.
And both are going to have gone against the navigators.
Inbound pass to Drake Burnell.
Bernier couldn't get inside.
Arbor will try his luck.
Got a step on the shot contested by Cameron.
Miss a stay with Messalonskee.
You can really see Falmouth out on those metal shooters.
As you said early on, they're no See it again.
Shot off the glass but unable to corral.
Acrobatic move and a block for a man.
And the last to touch it was Messalonskee.
It's navigator basketball here and gets blocked in.
The ball comes down off his head.
Here you see another backdoor cut as they overplay like I said, but off his head and out of bounds.
But a great block by man has had himself one heck of a first quarter.
He's pretty impressive.
40s left in the quarter.
Falmouth with the ball.
The lead in the possession.
Arrow and back outside to Burks.
Simmons.
Jackson.
Cameron calling instructions out will see a foul.
Smith wants the last shot with 25 to go.
Simmons again.
Now it's Cameron and trying to set the screen.
Arbor working right back down to Simmons.
And Will will take the last shot.
Now is Davis man.
Just take a look at the clock.
Works and man playing pass five seconds to work.
Here comes man.
Had the shot blocked.
They have a chance for the heave at the buzzer.
Here it goes.
He's probably wouldn't have counted.
Even had fallen in.
The first quarter comes to an end with Falmouth A97 lead over Messalonskee back to the second after this on Maine Public Television.
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Great campus.
Small, close knit community.
Everyone's really welcoming.
Everything feels very personal.
Feel like you belong here.
Back here with you in Augusta.
We'll start the second quarter with the basketball on a two point lead and little jitters.
Early bell.
But both teams settled in right after that.
It's been a very entertaining game for the first eight.
No doubt about it.
They've been able to Falmouth that hasn't been able to get into the paint quite a bit, but have thrown away a few passes, three turnovers early and then drew Drake Brunel's defense.
Here he is against man and man again.
Just doing what he's done all game.
Taking it right to the rack and scoring two.
He's got all.
He's at the 11 points here so far for the navigators.
When he can get to the left hand he is really dangerous.
When he went right Brunel's blocked him twice.
But to the left side he's been hard to stop.
Ryan Parent wants the three.
It's off the back.
Iron the rebound.
Grab put up by Arbor.
Yes.
Wind up amongst the trees.
They got the rebound.
And then he used the glass to put it in Innocent Arbor.
Does he chips it off the bench.
Puts in some big points.
Not impressive.
Gaudy numbers but their points that come at the right time.
And there's Billy Burks for two.
He had 17 against noble in the regional final.
And he restores Falmouth's four point lead.
Got that one up off the glass quickly to prevent the shot blocker for coming over Campbell to do that.
Two very quick as far as getting back down the court, Arbor wants the three come home.
Beautiful shot there.
He shot it.
He knew it was in.
He started to go into the other end of the floor.
He had a good look at it.
So doing nothing but net.
He's hobbling around now.
Foul coming back down the floor as right as he crossed the half court stripe.
He twisted his ankle a bit but he looks okay.
The referee a bit.
I think the refs get us out.
That's going to stop this.
We'll see.
And driving underneath will scoop on it for two.
They're going to stop it right now.
They will stop it right now to get Ann Arbor some attention.
It looked like was in a try to play on that.
But he can't do it.
Looks to me like a knee.
I hate to say that he's grabbing the knee.
Yeah he is.
Here's the finish here from man going again to the left hand.
Hard to finish but Arbor hit the three.
And then coming down was back.
Back pedaling down the floor.
The next thing I saw he was on the floor Sean Acorn with the basketball.
Cornell guarded by O'Brien a tie Bernier.
On crossing over trying to get inside does get inside shot will fall though Jackson Cameron with the rebound.
Here come the navigators.
Burks is doing a really good job on Ty Bernier.
Brooks will try it offensively this time.
Got it blocked.
Second chance O'Brien won't go.
Batted around by Reynolds who touched it last.
And navigators did.
It's Messalonskee basketball.
Nothing easy coming at the rim that time.
He spun around, couldn't quite get his bearings and then knocked it out of bounds.
It goes back over to the Eagles.
Great student sections in here tonight.
Good atmosphere, just about packed.
Saw in our interview cam just a moment ago.
And we watch that layup Sean Acorn got double.
Has to get rid of it.
Alertly got out of the paint once he did.
Acorn again.
Oh he had his pocket picked.
It's Davis man again slamming it home.
And one they're going to give it bounce continuation.
He almost slowed down there.
The time up the dunk stops.
And here you see Acorn catch up to him.
Let's see where the fouls committed right there.
Yeah Holloway up sort of I guess he's going to hammer that one.
You see everybody at the replay looking at the ref like what are you going to call.
They give the and one.
And it's been the Davis man show so far.
Rob Davis man shooting for his 13th point.
That will go well.
He's already got a dozen here.
We're not even three minutes into the second quarter.
When you have 39 and one game you obviously have the ability to score.
And he's off to a hot start here in the state final against Fryeburg Academy in the regional semis.
Last shot close by.
Bernier just couldn't quite drop down the front of the rim.
Continued great defense against him.
Burks is challenging everything man.
We'll kick it outside.
Hamlin trying to drive has to be stolen.
Quick hands by Ty Bernier as they tried to return the past him in.
Acorn splitting defenders into the corner breaks Ronnell Reynolds excellent defense by O'Brien, but the kick out to Bernier is short right into Davis man's hands.
He's been everywhere has been the story of the game so far.
And a wide open three there from Bernier uncharacteristically misses out.
Well Shaw I think some of that defense is wearing him down a little bit.
Got to be a carry up first.
Carry the basketball.
He doesn't think so.
Messalonskee ball and a full timeout taken here 1712.
Our score with Falmouth in front of Messalonskee.
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You take a look at the navigators and now the Eagles.
Full time outs taken at Messalonskee is good to see some shots go.
When they hung around here it's been Davis man on the one end just scoring at will.
It's been a battle of defenses though.
Nothing's coming easy.
Drake Burnell is doing the best he can against man.
And the three point shots just not falling for Messalonskee.
They hit a couple of innocent Arbor and Ryan parents, but they hit a bunch of them and they can hit him in, you know, waves.
So keep shooting them and hope they go win.
If you're a Messalonskee fan, you don't want to get down too big.
This Falmouth team, even a team that shoots, as well as Messalonskee trying to climb back against the navigators.
Not an easy task.
Yeah, they just took on the best player in Maine, Jamie Rose.
They know how to defend and held him to 24, which sounds sort of laughable, but he he can go off in the regional final, did a great job and held noble the 53 good defensive effort.
Sean Aiken, just a sophomore Brunelle trying to attack the hole couldn't do so.
He's cut off by Declan O'Brien.
Reynolds going to get inside.
He does.
Has the pass into the corner though.
Here's Brunel underneath.
Got hammered.
As for him on a miss.
Time to slap that hammer.
Came off the weak side there.
Went for a big time block on a piece of the ball, but mostly the forehead or the arm of Drake Brunel.
You see 11 coming over.
Takes a big swipe with the right arm and comes down across the head.
Sometimes the calls are borderline and sometimes they're pretty easy to make.
Granola 91% Free-Throw Shooter in the regular season, it was only 58.3%.
In the tournament, seven out of 12 hits his first one, which is a big one.
Foul, was the first one, and Ezra Hammond two for two for Burnell.
Back to a one possession game.
Brooks lost the handle.
Got it back, but he's in trouble.
That's a jump ball.
The arrow is pointing Messalonskee way.
That is great hustle by Brunel.
It wasn't his guy with the ball, but once it was on the floor, he left his man and dove on the floor.
Eagles can tie it potentially on this trip down the floor, or at least claw back within one.
But Burnell taking his time, O'Brien picks him up.
Right.
So a cutting tie Birney area right into Burke's.
And Burke stole the basketball.
A good defense there.
Whatever.
Number one in white is going number one.
And blue is falling in this man trying to go around the O'Brien screen.
Here's a three on the way.
Cameron rattles out another rebound for Parker Reynolds.
Reynolds cutting inside had a step and exploded.
It explodes to the rim.
They thought he was going to take the three.
Instead he drives and lays it in.
They kind of got the navigators defense a bit flat footed in that situation.
Took full advantage.
We got a one point game.
Felt like Falmouth was starting to extend the lead, and all of a sudden the Eagles now a turnover, a miscommunication between Cameron and Burke's because it right back to Messalonskee.
That's some of the body language for Falmouth has been not great here in the last minute.
I think coach recognizes that we're going to get a timeout as the 32nd timeout for David Halligan to take right now.
Again, they are a bit out of sorts and just wants to settle his team down and get them reorganized.
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Talking cold beverages Messalonskee down by five.
Clawed back to a one point game.
This is familiar to what we saw in the Hamden regional final.
Low scoring.
They were down one at the half game, was hanging around and then, you know, exerted their will in the second half and took over.
Won't be as easy to do it against this Falmouth team was battle tested in their own right.
But this feels familiar.
A familiar script if you're a Messalonskee fan.
Navigators were here in 2022 and 2023.
Most recently, that one point loss to Brewer, a heartbreaker just before the buzzer right here on this floor.
Love to change the memories of Augusta Civic Center that's deflected by a man under the film.
Fetch.
They lost to Cooper Flagg Cooper's freshman year.
That's understandable.
You understand?
He was a rare one.
As we come to find out.
It's pretty good.
Yeah.
He's okay playing tomorrow night on ESPN against Florida State.
Are the aces doing pretty well to just win a state championship?
But North Carolina has won three states and three different states.
Ty Bernier baseline with Burks Bernier's fade away.
Oh yeah big time shot there.
Play any better defensively.
Burks to there was the fadeaway over the top by Messalonskee with a one point lead.
Almost stolen by Bernier.
Bernier says I knocked it off Jackson camera.
The referee not convinced.
Sam Smith's enthusiasm almost convinced me to see a wry smile there from Bernier and blame a guy for trying.
That's what that smile says.
O'Brien off the traveling violation.
Calder Messalonskee basketball.
Now Burke's not really happy with the carry call now the travel on the handoff.
He took an extra step.
Seven turnovers.
Now on the navigators.
Messalonskee has turned it over six times tonight.
Well this game is flying 239 to go to halftime.
Break Brunel Reynolds down low to Bernier.
Shot rattles down.
And Xavier got the ball on the post feed of the way again.
And tie.
Bernier can score in bunches six points now for Bernier.
Three point lead for Messalonskee.
Great pass underneath.
And there is the finish by Davis man.
And he'll go to the line.
Another backdoor cut from Davis.
Man makes the catch from a Cameron pass.
He gets contacted by Parker Reynolds.
Here's the great pass Reynolds personal foul.
Number one takes the dribble.
And here comes Reynolds for the block averages for a game.
He doesn't think he got much of it.
Maybe a little bit with the lower body.
I might have gotten him for the foul before the shot was taken, but was on Reynolds and a and one chance for man.
That doesn't fall for man who's shooting 71.4% from the free throw line in the tournament.
You start to see why Sam Smith Messalonskee says Davis man should be among Mr. Basketball finalists.
And that guy Drake, you know not too shabby either.
And I take that from Brunel.
Doesn't always have huge offensive numbers.
But when he's been big moments streak out somebody you want with the ball as long by three.
Again to tie the game O'Brien and the rebound skying for that Reynolds.
And there's nobody that can keep up with Reynolds above the rim for Falmouth.
He's controlled the glass.
Acorn found the trail.
It's Bernier for three.
Here he is tied.
Bernier a slow start.
And all of a sudden number one is lighting them up.
And the Messalonskee fans are loving it.
Nine points now for Ty Bernier.
And a six point lead for the class gainer off champs Falmouth time.
You see the replay.
Good job by Acorn to recognize and kick it out and Burke's hand down.
And all of a sudden Ty Bernier has got room and he's feeling it.
Real unselfish play by Sean Aiken a sophomore Hunter a veteran play for Wow for a second year player.
Not trying to do too much with that and kick it out.
He knew Bernier was arriving.
The Calvary was there.
Might as well utilize it.
Yeah, and he's got a good basketball IQ despite not playing a ton of basketball hurt.
Sam Smith interviewed this week and he said he's a really good baseball player.
Was a closer on the baseball team that went to the state final last year.
Not around a ton in the summer, so didn't know exactly what he was going to get from him.
I bet he likes what he saw right there.
A complete surprise that Sam Smith, the how well Sean Acorn has developed in his freshman and sophomore year.
I can tell you as a coach you love those.
You have no idea to go, wow, this kid's got a lot better house money.
Is it no doubt Willie Burks with the basketball, he and Cameron running the floor for the navigators.
90s to work in this first half.
Jackson Cameron side again.
The man man has been the man here in the first half.
He'll shoot from the elbow.
Not that time.
And the rebound.
Great position by Ryan Parrott.
Almost everything man has gotten his goodness at the rim that time a jumper well off.
By Bernier just cashing that three moments ago I thought he might have another one in him.
But so did Davis man it wouldn't take him to take the shot under a minute to go here in the first half.
Burnell trying to play in tight.
Anderson Arbor for three off the Iron Arbor.
Got his own rebound outside pairing for three.
Perfect high aka Holy cow.
He let that one go and knew it.
That's the Lansky on fire.
A nine point lead for the Eagles.
They almost got the ball in the air.
Oh 30s to work for Dave Halligan.
Boys.
It's Burks O'Brien.
As for Hamlin.
Now, with setting up the last shot.
Billy Burks outside.
Nine seconds to go.
And again.
Coming a frenzy here in the Civic Center.
Man into the paint.
Splits.
Defenders shot wouldn't fall for him.
What a great acrobatic drive by Davis.
Man.
But he didn't get the bounce right away through Parker Reynolds and Greg Burnell but couldn't get it to go.
It's a nine point lead for Messalonskee here at halftime when the class A state championship on Maine Public Television.
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In Augusta.
We'll pick up the house.
Mike.
Now is the score board to give away here at halftime.
It is his honor to present sportsmanship banners in the boys and girls basketball during the season, each basketball team in Maine was asked to select an opponent they felt was most deserving of receiving a sportsmanship award.
The schools we recognize with sportsmanship awards have displayed respect of coaches, players and officials.
Fair play.
Honesty and integrity, and a true love for the game of basketball.
We are pleased to recognize.
Class A South, the Navigators of Falmouth.
Girls.
Excuse me.
Girls.
South.
Here to receive the awards.
Coach Katie Stannard, Abby Young, Caroline Smith along with players Maggie Young, Crystal Terrace and Jill Carrier, Savannah Nielsen, Ellie Foley, Estelle Ringer, Gabby Hertz, golf Crystal Branson, Laura Hanson, L Clark, Danny Henry, Violet Meyer, Mae Baxter, Aleena Nelson, Charlotte Five field A walls, Caroline Sewell, Kelly Downie, Delaney Downey, Caroline, Cody, C about, and Jade Magnuson, Haley.
Cushman, Elle.
Cushman, may, Derek.
Riley, height, Molly Wiles and Annie Wiles.
Gratulations navigators of Falmouth High School.
We are pleased to recognize in boys class A South, the Falcons of Freeport High School.
Here today to say today to receive the award.
Coach Tyler Tracy and Nick Lyons, John Burson and Rocco Lindholm with players Connor Smith, Evan Lyons, Alex Berry, Bryce Dwyer, Beckett Sharp, mason, vintner Gage Daigneault, Drew Pound, Calvin Carter and Cam Webb.
Once again, congratulations to the Falcons of Freeport High School.
We are pleased to recognize in boys class AA North, the Bulldogs of Lawrence High School.
Here to receive the award.
Coaches Jason Pellerin, Michael Hamlin, Lucas Proctor, Jay dangler with players Cole.
Aquarium, Preston Roy, Keegan Littlefield, Anthony Almeida of Landis.
Mansfield.
Myles.
Provost.
Ryder.
Provost.
Once again, congratulations to Lawrence High School.
Bulldogs.
We are pleased to recognize in boys class C, South, the North Yarmouth Academy Panthers here to receive the award.
Coaches Alan Molnar and Caleb Caleb cost players Tyler Larcombe, Cam Vert, veggie Braden.
Closer Nathan McGillicuddy.
Man.
SIC la boca Liam O'shay, Lito la boca, Daniel Smith, Amos.
Eichler.
Gage.
Close up Vo hung one.
Once again, congratulations to the Panthers of North Yarmouth Academy.
Thank you.
To Fame, the Finance Authority of Maine for helping us present our sportsmanship awards today.
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File the Fafsa now to maximize your aid.
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2019 the score here at halftime Messalonskee with the lead.
If you want to get more inside the numbers, the guy to talk to is Lucas McNeely of Maine Basketball Rankings.
He's standing by with our Ethan Snow right now.
Well, thank you very much, Rob.
And yeah, you mentioned the numbers guy of the Maine high school basketball list.
Now there's Lucas McNeely.
But you know him professionally as Maine basketball rankings.com.
Lucas, you've been doing this for a long time now, and it's just continuing to grow and grow and grow.
What's been the inspiration behind the growth of your platform?
You know, it's like there's guys who try to fix their car and then they start with one thing, and then they're doing spark plugs, and then they're like trying to tweak the engine.
And that thing is sort of like that.
And then, you know, when people seem to like it, that's encouraging.
A couple of years ago, you brought in the live stats portion of it in a limited capacity to try.
You know, you had it at a couple of venues, the ones that you can make because you were just a one man show, but this year you had it in every single venue except for the one day at the Cross Insurance Arena.
Describe the effort it takes between you and the Maine Principals Association to make that happen.
It's a lot of typing in a rosters.
That's kind of tricky, but the NBA has been great with, partnering with me.
I talked to last year, I talked to Joe Burnham, and I was like, I think you're doing stats on the sidelines.
Why don't we do this at the same time and like, combine our forces?
And he's like, yeah, that sounds like a great idea.
And then this year we brought in Bangor.
And people really seem to like it because they can sort of scoreboard watch and see what's happening at the other venues.
Well, we appreciate you helping us out with our broadcast here on Maine Public Television, and I appreciate your stats throughout the whole season as a broadcaster covering games and numbers places.
And, check out this podcast as well wherever you podcasts, which I have.
Fun fact guys, I was the first ever guest on his podcast a couple of years ago.
How about that for a fun fact that you didn't ask for?
I'm not sure what number of guest I was.
I've been on the podcast as well.
At one point as, Lucas runs again.
So many broadcasters involved in, talking basketball as he possibly can, and he'll going to talk some basketball right now.
What an exciting first half.
And Messalonskee down by five at one point.
Roaring back to lead by nine here at the break an impressive second quarter as we look at the numbers.
Now you see the numbers there.
It's really the three point shot that got him back in it.
And obviously and late in the half Ty Bernier.
He ended up with nine points to lead the Eagles in the first half including that late three.
That really sort of set this place crazy.
He's leading the way six for Ryan.
Parent five for Edison Arbor four for Brunel, four for Reynolds and for Falmouth.
Only three people have scored 14 for Davis man, two for Billy Burks and the one three from the top of the key from the big man, Ezra Hamlin.
So the three point shot the difference, but also the lack of variety.
It's been Davis man or almost nothing.
Nothing else.
And they've got to find a second or third option.
Yeah.
Man was really lighting up the Eagles in the first quarter.
Wasn't able to do quite as much in the second.
They slowed it down a bit, but still a game high 14 as we will head to a break and come back for the second half here.
The class A state championship here in Augusta on Maine Public Television.
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The environment is just awesome, great campus, small, close knit community.
Everyone's very welcoming.
Everything feels very personal.
To feel like you belong here.
Getting set to start here in the second half and with.
We'll start with a basketball down nine points.
Navigators in the road.
Blues will attack from right to left.
We'll get the second half started Billy Burks gets us underway.
Glad you're joining us here in Augusta.
Rob Kennedy with Bill leopard.
You don't win 1200 games without knowing how to make halftime adjustments.
So we'll see what David Halligan comes up with here Davis man three for number three.
Not that time.
And Brian Perron grabs the rebounds.
Aikau one man to beat spins in the paint.
Tough shot.
But he got it.
Jackson Cameron fouled was all he could prevent at the basket to no avail.
That's too much strength there from Shawn Acorn.
He's kind of the gritty player on this Messalonskee team.
He can go games without scoring or he can score in bunches.
His first two points of the game for Acorn, Jackson, Cameron and O'Brien.
Burke's cutting back.
He's got Acorn right with him.
Shook Acorn for the three ball in his shot.
Great work by Burks.
The senior lost out of bounds but it was last touch by Messalonskee.
Burks knew he had left that one short.
Wynton tracked it down himself.
I got knocked out of bounds.
See it all the time.
Those guys and those long shots don't follow them and they have an opportunity for a second chance when they do.
I always think they're going in.
I think I got that ten.
Mine rarely ever did go in, but I pretended they work on them.
It's all about confidence, right?
Jackson.
Cameron, back to me.
In 11 seniors on his navigators team.
And a third time in the Gold Ball game trying to win it.
Man, that's going to put the team on his back so it wouldn't fall for him.
And man looking for a foul there against Brunel who bumped him a little bit as he extended with the left hand.
There's a corner again.
Doesn't get the roll.
Parker Reynolds dropped it out of bounds but it was pushed out of his hands.
A good rebound there on the offensive glass again there was Acorn point blank chance to score four to open up the half.
Instead it's going to remain Messalonskee basketball six rebounds now for Parker Reynolds to go with his four points.
Eagles have to get the ball in there.
Go all the way back to Ryan Perron the NBA three off the back iron.
And here's O'Brien skying for the rebound.
It will take him from anywhere.
As you saw right there.
That was a deep one little cushion here for an 11 point lead.
Not a bad shot to attempt a bounce pass O'Brien back to man.
Man a lot of contact there with Reynolds.
Man fights O'Brien and draws the whistle.
There's the call.
Yeah a lot of contact there on the inside on the man drive and said they're going to get a foul on the pass on Ryan Parrott.
You'll see it here.
Pass there.
And Perron playing through the back from behind.
Easy call there.
And that'll just one foul on parent.
No one in any kind of foul trouble at all in this game man spots for three.
So close he can't believe it.
And that one rattled out really good.
From where we're sitting you couldn't get closer to a bucket than Davis man just did.
And they desperately need something to go through the hoop blocking foul called.
And Declan O'Brien is he and Parker Reynolds both help Drake Brunel up for now.
Grabs a quad a little bit.
That was one of the three that lead to the quad.
Doesn't feel great to help out with the one that's a second foul and fouled was Declan O'Brien.
He's a big rebounder for this team.
Ty Bernier earlier and Bruce Mano a mano again.
Bernier spins can't get inside.
Acorn will try on a Wheeler's way and lost his balance under pressure from Cameron Heron for three.
No.
And the rebound falls right to Ezra Hamelin their best shooter.
Wide open at the top of the key.
That could have been a big one for the love at the farm on Ryan parent to Berry that.
Lily Burke's showed too much of the basketball liberal.
He stole it.
Earlier he got fouled by Brooks and the defensive effort here from Drake Burnell has just been spectacular.
I mean man's going to get his points but he makes it hard that time in the passing lane gets a steal.
I believe he just had the beats to play football.
His Hudl highlight video could have just cony highlights of him playing defense against us.
I think over the last two years, 4 or 5 picks against us, I don't want to talk about them, although we did win a couple of those.
David Graber back in the game now for Falmouth.
Tyler Simmons is also returned for the navigators.
Brunel.
Favors watching Brunel isolated there for a moment.
Takes on Graber, beats him and scores off the glass.
Nice take there from Drake.
Grinnell down the left hand side, finishing with the right hand.
Evan Gray was a very good defensive player but isolated against Drake.
Brunel is not where many people want to be.
He's really strong on the ball, not the quickest kid, but he is a tough competitor.
You see it here defensively as they kick out outside to the big man Simmons for three.
The big guy steps up wearing the face mask and cans the corner three.
You mentioned it in the first half.
Bell when he's up a Parker Reynolds.
Big guys can shoot those threes sometimes.
Absolutely.
That's a huge one for Tyler Simmons.
It's a ten point game.
They needed that one desperately.
It's been really quiet.
The end of the second quarter into the third.
Parker Reynolds Reynolds going inside was stripped quick hands from Cameron Hammond slows down the wait for help.
It's called for a screen.
Oh there we go.
Simmons came up and work it outside to man again.
There's a screen again set by Simmons.
That man was picked up quickly Cameron oh no.
Look.
Pass.
But he pulled his own teammates.
Nice pass there but just on the back hip and unable to make the catch with Simmons maybe expecting a bounce pass but instead goes out of bounds Ezra Hamlin back in now for the navigators.
We'll take David Graver spot.
Earlier taking his time now as we approach the halfway mark of the third quarter, we'll see the score a ten point lead for Messalonskee.
They've only been to this game once, lost to Greely 5943 and 2017.
Oh, what a tough shot.
Ty Bernier with Billy Burks in his face.
That's been the M.O.
here.
Get the ball in the paint and feet away from the length of Billy Burke's and Ty Bernier.
Up to 11 points.
The lead is a dozen to man into the paint.
Drop that off.
Rejected.
Second chance though.
Simmons great kick out man underneath.
Got a spin in the air.
Was blocked as well two blocks from Reynolds who had 4.1 a game in the regular season.
Ryan Parrish That's Alaska trying to extend their dozen point lead.
Answers in the corner parent worked inside.
Goes back to Perron again and.
He'll try to cut inside.
Can't take the shot.
He'll feed Brunel outside.
Acorn wants the three.
Not that time.
And Davis man another rebound.
Rocks back to man.
You're fouled with right now.
You don't watch the clock too much Schneider buckets every time down the floor.
And man a perfect pass to Tyler Simmons for the easy finish.
Yeah I didn't even come down me the Kent State in the third and finished at the senior Tyler Simmons acrobatic for the big guy that floated there for a bit.
Bernier is Eagles up by ten guarding another fadeaway.
Nope.
And Simmons he's been effective since coming in on the rebounds.
Well a little further out than the two he'd hit earlier.
Burks for three.
Count it.
They need to get it.
Get him go with 17 against noble.
Only five so far but a big one.
And the lead cut from 12 now to seven of the last couple possessions.
Brunel.
Now if he messalonskee don't want a glance in that rearview mirror too much.
Simmons hoped that away he was the last to touch it, but he prevents Reynolds from an easy bucket.
Messalonskee play in five out to Parker.
Reynolds loves the matchup against Simmons.
You see the three immediately catch and shoot from the corner.
Good looking shot from Billy Burks.
But Reynolds loves that matchup.
Thinks he's got better foot speed and Simmons.
But a nice hand to deflect that Anderson Arbor back in.
And great little dig back at the three point line.
Parker Reynolds Tyler Simmons was sure he was taking that three.
He was.
And you see the matchup that we had just talked about that having Simmons way out on the perimeter is not a good matchup against the speed and quickness of Parker Reynolds man trying to drive man off the glass.
No navigators with the rebound.
It's Hamlin.
He'll put it back and hits.
And he elevated their drink beer down.
One of the push off on the man drive.
No call and Hamlin keeps playing.
He's up to five.
Eagles by seven with the basketball.
Frank Brunel tied.
Bernier.
Watch the three.
No rolled around.
Oh great hustle by Arbor on the rebound to give the Eagles a second chance.
He's got a little knee sleeve on that left knee that he hurt after he made the three pointer.
Good to see him back in time.
Bernier rejected but a foul called I get two shots here.
It looks like the knuckles of the body are going to be up top.
We'll see the replay here as he drives in.
Has he been reluctant.
Hesitant.
Oh yeah.
Right across the head.
He could have gotten Simmons for that.
They could have gotten him on.
They pick number 11 as well.
Hamlin get Hamlin from the left side.
All right.
Tie Bernier at the line.
Perfect in the tournament from the line so far.
And he stays that way 14 out of 14 senior shot 75% from the line in the regular season.
And he's really come on here in the postseason.
Good shot there.
Sam Smith talking with his assistants how to finish this quarter.
The lead back to nine.
Here's Burks.
Jackson Cameron man trying to get open.
Couldn't do so try the right side this time.
Now man has it once again met by Brunel.
Brunel that screen the three.
No.
Oh what a rebound by Parker Reynolds.
He had great position.
It actually draws the foul as well.
Got to get that one that time on Simmons.
They both went up for it.
Reynolds had better position.
Foul called against the senior personal foul over two two on Simmons.
Nobody in this game with three fouls.
But this is four fouls now on Falmouth.
Under a minute to go.
But they do foul one more time.
That will mean the Eagles will shoot.
Drake Brunel trying to shake the escape Ezra Hamlin.
Reynolds.
Ryan.
Paris Reynolds looking for a way inside.
Got in.
Lost the handle but got it back now.
A reset to Brunel.
25 seconds to go now.
Good leadership from Brunel.
Reynolds was thinking about the corner three and he had his hands up.
Said no let's reset.
Let's take this down.
Last shot of this third quarter 15 seconds is all they have to kill.
They have the arrow foul called against Ezra Hamlin.
So it will be a shooting situation as that is as I mentioned, number five.
That's the fifth one and probably not the foul.
The coach Halligan wants the foul drink.
Brunel a 91% free throw shooter way out here by the for there's no doubt about it ran right.
The just and I love the IQ from now looks to the sideline get the little signal like I'm shooting here.
He knew.
Or a couple of free ones from the line here for Drake Brunel the senior.
Already had a couple from the stripe so far tonight.
That one will fall for him.
We'll get one more.
Davis man is hiding down here by himself.
He's out the other end of the floor.
Looks like muscles now recognizing that.
Yeah, we're Davis man going all of a sudden three eagles figure it out.
I think Coach Smith said, hey, let's get back, please.
Not a guy you want to lose.
No.
Here's Brunel second shot.
Got it.
Ten point lead again for Messalonskee 12 seconds for the navigators to work to man.
Man with six to go.
Man desperately trying to get inside does sir.
Oh what a finish at the buzzer.
And one.
Oh beautiful take here again getting to the left hand side.
And he finishes.
Drake Brunel arguing pretty aggressively.
There was no foul call.
We'll see the drive.
He's going to spin.
Clears some room for a little dipsy do.
And he lays it in by Parker Reynolds.
Personal foul.
That's two fouls now on Parker Reynolds Davis man looking for his 17th point.
Who would cut the deficit to seven on the left.
He connects first points in the second half for Davis.
Man the horn sounds.
He shot the buzzer a little bit wide and a seven point lead for Messalonskee as we head to the break.
Fourth more coming up.
Who will take home the Gold Ball?
We'll find out next year in Maine Public Television.
Oh.
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That's the lawsuit.
Eagles trying to see out this game with a seven point lead.
As we head to the fourth quarter they will start with the basketball for this veteran Falmouth team.
They are not done by a long shot.
Here we go.
Eight minutes remaining in the class AA boys season.
At least in regulation time there's a foul called immediately on Jackson.
Cameron.
Now Cameron reaching in the air against a corner.
Just one personal on Cameron crossing over to Jackson.
Here on the spin move, the left hand is going to go in there.
Or maybe with the right arm on the back, even swing and a miss.
Reynolds, with the inbound pass that's stolen.
Oh!
Oh, he was man.
Electrifying the crowd.
We'll see if that gives the navigators a charge.
It's only worth two points on the scoreboard.
But psychologically, maybe a little more as they battle it.
Almost steal it.
I think Burks did his best, but it stays with Messalonskee.
They go full court press there after the dunk.
It's going to look at this replay.
The lefty goes up and he puts it down off.
32nd timeout taken by Sam Smith.
He wants to talk about it briefly.
His team still with a five point lead.
Again if you're fouled is going to change something in this game.
They're going to go a little bit of a press.
Try to call some turnovers.
I mean public YouTube channel.
Not only has all the state final games live, but you can also catch up on the ones you may have missed or want to watch.
Again, you're going to watch that, dunk again, that's for sure.
While there, you can check out all the videos or dig into the archive.
Dive into youtube.com, slash Maine Public.
I've done that more than one time in my life.
Go back and watch some of these broadcasts.
19 points now for Davis.
Man.
He's got more than half the output for the navigators.
And I think that's the one thing that may need to change down the stretch because they'll need some secondary scoring.
Yeah they got a little bit there in the third quarter until man hit one late.
And now we started off this fourth quarter getting back to the scoring ways.
But you're right.
They're gonna have to have somebody score.
So quickly into the frontcourt.
But it's knocked away and stolen among them.
Now to the boys and blue man.
Rejected.
That's a jump ball.
It'll stay with the navigators.
How about the defense from Drake Brunel?
Oh, this is a star going at him again.
His left hand.
He's is going to put it right in front of Drake.
Right on top of the ball.
That is tremendous defense.
What a great shot from our camera crew as well as you can kind of see that was all ball.
Works into the corner for Cameron.
Cameron back outside the arc resetting the man.
He'll recalculate now.
Man worked inside for the kick out.
Willie Burke's Hamlin trying to work his way into the paint.
He traveled one too many steps.
There.
And of course, the thing that always happens.
You always hit that shot once the whistle blows.
You see here.
Picks it up.
One, two, three.
Pretty easy call or pressure from the navigators.
They almost forced the turnover Ryan parent taken.
Drake.
Brunel.
He'll wait for his teammates to catch up.
Foul called against Davis.
Graber.
I got a pump there.
Brunel trying to drive across the lane right to left.
Number ten.
You see it gets him in the little trail position and not a ton of contact, but enough to warrant the call.
First foul on Graber.
Second foul on the navigators.
Ryan pair down low.
Bernier forced back, though.
He bobbled it.
Here's a three by parents off the iron.
Ezra Hamm on the rebound and a chance for foul.
But to get even closer.
Billy Burke's triple teams man shoots no rebounds no foul calls.
Drake Cornell with a hard landing.
He's helped up by Graber as well as his teammate Bernier.
There's a little shake.
And here you see the tough Lehner there.
We're going to get maybe Acorn not sure who this is.
It's going to go Spellman oh it's on Graber okay that's two on Graber.
Three fouls now on Feldman.
That's the more important thing.
Rivers two personals not anything to worry about but quickly and less than a minute and a half.
Three team fouls.
Acorn just kept that alive.
Cornell crossing the timeline with 619 to go.
Old ball in the balance here in Augusta.
Bernier.
He'll try the fade away again.
Not that time.
Who touched it last.
The Eagles did.
It's now again a basketball that Graber had the position for now came over the top.
Knocked that one out of bounds.
And a chance to cut into this five point lead once again.
When they won the navigators they will not go away as long as they're in striking distance.
You have to worry about this Falmouth team as they put up points in a hurry.
Man lost the handle.
Great.
Stripped Acorn a kick out.
Bernier wants the three.
Giddy up in transition.
He ran right to the corner.
Didn't fill the lane.
He ran to the corner.
One of the three ball and you see why.
16 points now for Ty Bernier and an eight point lead for Messalonskee under six to go.
Two lead of a close out there from Ezra Hamlin.
And coach Halligan wants a timeout to talk through.
It's ballooned back to eight.
It looks like just one timeout left for both teams.
Let me see in the live stats.
I'll double check on that.
As we look at the Eagles right now.
Season eight of high school quiz show Maine returns on Thursday, March 20th.
Tune in to watch schools around the state match wits and compete for the $1,000 prize this season.
Schools from Orono to Fryeburg to South Berwick will battle it out for the championship.
And all starts Thursday, March 20th at 8 p.m. on Maine Public Television.
That's something you would have done in high school.
Oh, absolutely.
Would have been unbelievable.
Run something I love to host right now.
But I got to have Jules that role pretty Lisa I watched it a bunch a couple of years ago because Cony actually won it, and I was like, this is an awesome show.
And he mentioned covering a lot of ground there, almost as much ground as the class B game tomorrow between Cariboo and York.
Hard to get more geography between the two teams and those two tomorrow down.
And it's a pretty good one.
You're right.
I'm with down eight.
One thing you can't do if you, the navigators, is worried about the clock.
Back outside Cameron for three.
No rebound volleyball around.
He touched it last.
It's Messalonskee basketball I think it might have been Jackson Cameron coming in from the top of the key.
Following his shot.
He jumped up high and tipped it away from three people battling for it.
The pressure again that's the last.
He's dealt with this pretty well.
But it's not easy to break this trap by the navigators, mostly senior guards, and they've seen this plenty of times.
Acorn travels and he looks befuddled in the inside like, how do I travel but shuffle?
I don't think he expected the pass.
Seemed to be like, Reynolds is going to bring it back around, and all of a sudden a great little left hand pass set him up and that run is going to shoot the three.
And that it was a good decision for him not to do that in that situation.
Yep.
He was found with again Davis man clear control foul that Drake Cornell.
That's how to scream from the floor.
He is doing everything he can to limit Davis man you'll see him here.
Slider for a perfect view here.
The left arm extends Drake Grinnell's fired up on the on the floor.
Or pressure from the navigators.
John Acorn the sophomore and trusted to inbound the basketball against this Falmouth pressure.
Broken easily this time by the Eagles.
Three on the way tie Bernier.
Yes.
That is a big time shot.
The head fake gets the D in the air.
He composes himself and drills it.
Rejected.
Now go home and get your shine box.
Wow.
Sent out of there.
Bernier up to 19 points.
Reynolds got to be almost 4 or 5 blocks.
What an effort from this messalonskee defense for officially.
Now for Parker Reynolds.
Watch this.
Works goes up.
Secondary defender comes in and sends it out of there.
11 point lead for Messalonskee 454 to go Tyler Simmons back in the game.
The big senior will inbound the basketball.
Take a look at number 44 right there.
A foul call this time against Messalonskee.
And a heavy thud on the floor with Brunel and Davis.
Man those two have battled all night long on this end of the floor.
You'll see here trying to come down and make the catch.
And to get a little bit of a push from behind.
First foul on Drake Brunel.
First foul with all the great defense he's played.
What an incredible effort from Drake Grinnell on the defensive end.
And with basketball they'll inbound.
Take a look at the Eagles student section A lot of unique costumes for Eagles.
They've got hockey outfits up there and lacrosse uniforms.
And of course you mentioned before the the band looks like something you see at Cameron Stadium at Duke.
Yeah that's a little, rugby shirt with the blue and white.
Looks like the the Duke band, the Maine Black Bears band used to wear back in the day is out right.
This is rolling over here and right in front of us, a very excited Drake Brunel.
And Davis man asking for a foul call.
Not going to go his way back home Sean Aiken inbound the basketball.
Thrown out back to Acorn again.
Stolen great pursuit from Billy Brooks.
And he's a hustler.
That time from behind makes the play man into the paint.
The floater is good.
He gets two feet in the paint.
Elevates over everybody.
Makes it look easy.
A nine point game.
We approach the halfway mark of the fourth quarter stolen again Billy Burks again almost stolen back by Bernier.
But Falmouth keeps it.
Man.
And drew the foul.
And Ryan Parrott apparent parent came across as man was going to take a tough liner to get a shot.
Perfect angle here.
Steps in and right across both arms as Ryan parent number to Ryan Perry and was looking for the call on that time.
The referee was like yeah I gotcha.
Yes man.
No doubt about that one.
As the lefty aims connects.
And point number 22 tonight.
Even graver back in now they'll replace Tyler Simmons for Falmouth.
It's a nerves over there in the navigators cheering section three of the navigators football state championship winners.
They're in the front row.
And their coach Spencer Emmerson also in attendance here tonight to hoping to see the boys do the same thing.
They cut it to seven and they'll get the ball back.
That's three consecutive turnovers for Messalonskee against this press look out Messalonskee objects in the rearview mirror sometimes close up here.
All of a sudden Falmouth, who felt almost like it was getting away from them.
They compose themselves and now have a chance to cut it to five or maybe even four.
Davis Mann again spins, shoots just off the glass for two, and it's a five point game.
He's really starting to feel it.
Davis man is putting his navigators team on his back, trying to will them to a goal ball.
Just say they didn't go full court press after that make.
Sometimes it's hard to get organized, but they've been causing some issues with that defense.
Another potential steal.
And it is great hands by Tyler Simmons.
Here come the navigators.
Burks for three.
No.
Oh that would have set this place into a frenzy Greg Brunelle is going to be shooting here.
That's the fifth foul.
Is there's still lots of time on the clock.
343 remaining and Messalonskee shoots the rest of the way as we'll see the replay.
Here's Burks in transition.
If he had hit this you're right.
This place would have exploded.
Just misses good box out there from here down the weak side.
And right over top is Drake man Davis man.
Crowd reaction tells the story we saw.
Look at the fan with crowd as they popped up in anticipation.
So close.
We're now hits the first Messalonskee shooting just under 70% in the tournament.
Coming into this game from the line 86%.
Tonight's free throws can win championships and Drake Brunel knows it.
That one will not fall for him.
Two possession game still man Simmons for three.
He's got one.
Not that time.
And a foul called against Simmons as he crashing to Parker Reynolds who had great position for the rebounds.
He didn't like the call but it's pretty obvious three he missed the three.
And then Reynolds had the position they played right.
It was back for Tyler at three.
Now with Tyler Simmons and number three Simmons had a very good game off the bench with five points per hour in shooting two.
Parker Reynolds back to shoot again.
His first free throws tonight for the senior wears number five.
We'll get one more.
He's not shot well in the postseason from the line.
Now three out of eight just to make it a three possession game.
So probably the biggest one of his now nine free throws here in the postseason is upcoming.
That one is good.
Three possession game seven point lead Cameron hands off to Burks.
And of course the shot was good.
It always is.
After the infraction.
I mean that's pretty easy on there.
Took two steps while the ball was in his right hand.
It's underneath the both teams now with 14 turnovers tonight as Davis Graver comes back in with three fouls Tyler Simmons advances back to coach Elgin's bench.
As much offense defense as anything to just get him on the press.
Trying to create some turnovers here.
Ryan Parent guarded by Burks.
Saw Brunel get up after bumping into Graber.
Incidental contact.
We're now with 313 to go Anderson Arbor just checked in.
He's got the basketball now and Cameron came close.
But Ty Bernier back to the line.
If there's one guy you probably don't want at the line right now if you're film, whether it's Ty Bernier you got to be aggressive.
Once again.
You got to pick your spots a little bit.
So I think this kid on the free throw line feels like two points.
Second personal on Jackson Cameron.
Staring right into the eyes of Ryan Parrish.
That was the first 120 points.
Now for the senior Ty Bernier first team all KVK.
He averaged 19.8 and the regular season well.
Top three point shooters.
Not just the Cvac but also the state.
Great strength by Simmons to rip that away from Arbor.
That was important because the jump ball is going to Messalonskee Ali Burks.
His team is down eight.
Burks elevates no no the great rebound by Reynolds as he's doing all with perfect positioning.
Yeah exactly.
He's got the big kick but he just keeps boxing him out boxing him out.
And the miss shots are coming right to him.
Cornell going to the line.
Calls.
The time is starting to be the enemy of the navigators.
Billy Burke's second foul shooting to Drake Cornell at the line.
Two for three tonight.
Three out of four.
And this is really Messalonskee at their best.
We've got the the defense of Grinnell.
You've got the defense of Parker Reynolds offense from Bernier.
You know parents been a little bit quiet by his standards.
But they can beat you in so many ways.
Even kids off the bench have their moments from Anderson a ten point lead now for Messalonskee 245 to go.
Eagles getting close to their first goal ball Davis man might have some to say about that.
And oh what an acrobatic finish to get one more shot.
Two to complete the old fashioned three point play he puts on this to finish.
He's a little bit underneath the rim.
So he says you know how to spin it back.
Looks like that leaves it in.
Beautiful take from Davis man to Andre Cornell one man with a chance for point 28.
And gets it been an incredible match up with he and Drake for now.
Just two top senior athletes now Burnell is crap.
Got away I'm out I'm out.
Was called by Sam Smith very alertly.
Didn't want to turn the ball over there.
I saw the trap.
I thought, you know what, you got a timeout.
Let's take it right now and reset.
233 remaining a seven point lead for Messalonskee.
They've got the ball, the lead and the possession arrow.
If that comes into play, all ten state championship games will be will be rebroadcast throughout the weekend on Maine Public Television.
Tonight's games will be seen again tomorrow morning starting at 8 a.m..
The class C girls game will be replayed on Saturday night at 10 p.m..
Follow the end of the class C boys game, and the action resume Sunday morning at 6 a.m. and lasts all day with classes B, D, and AA.
The full replay schedule head to Maine public.org slash.
Basking will be fast treatment that gets you back in the game with 47 point lead for Messalonskee all time for the navigators.
They've been so close before on one point away two years ago, and the seniors on this team certainly remember that.
Anderson Harbor will not have an easy time inbounding the basketball.
Jackson Cameron staring right at him.
Here it.
Reynolds doesn't want the three.
Now, I'm going to chuck up a quick possession.
Now, if you're messalonskee.
No way.
Cornell tried to get inside.
Was cut off by Hamlin, and you said, I got to be patient here.
And just.
If you get a lay up, take it like this.
Perhaps if it was back up, pass over cook for Anderson Arbor one right in the grave.
His hands.
That one can get back closer here.
But they're running out of possessions.
They need buckets.
Here's a guy who can provide a couple.
And he does.
Once again Davis man 30 points to creative ways.
He gets the ball to the rim are pretty spectacular.
Going to get a foul here through the back of Burnell.
That's on graver.
And for Davis graver that's going to be number four.
You see here he's trying to get the steal.
Grabs him with the right hand.
And then David Brady on number three David Graver third foul.
Excuse me I said four.
It's his third.
Drake Cornell back at the line.
Big shots for the senior.
Will get one more.
Chance to make it a three possession game.
But now the best he can do is two.
If he makes it it's six points 154 to go.
On a six from the line tonight five out of seven.
It's a six point game.
Under two to go right.
Man.
Man will take on the whole team if you let him that time.
The shot just short.
Drake Brunel a difficult rebounds and Bruno will get a chance to shoot.
And Davis graver is called for the foul again.
And Davis man arguing.
He was fouled every time he goes in the paint they are collapsing on him at this point.
He's been a one man show.
Four fouls on David Graver.
You and Burnell back of the line again.
Got the first.
Now it's a three possession game.
You can't ask the question.
Does film without three possessions left.
Now it's going to be interesting to see how they play this out.
Obviously they'll go up tempo and take some threes here.
Commit some fouls.
But Messalonskee has done just enough here at the free throw line to keep them at bay.
You big ones for Grinnell.
You see the Messalonskee fans still a little nerves there.
Eight points to the good into the corner.
Back outside to Cameron.
He'll launch the two connects timeout here for coach Halligan Jackson Cameron.
Coach Halligan calls a timeout.
And if the live stats are correct, that's number five.
Neither team I believe has a timeout left going to the MPA.
Live stats.
Take a look at the Falmouth cheering section of the parents?
We asked, looking on nervously.
It's nail biting time here, to be sure.
Here at the Augusta Civic Center and there's a student section a little bit muted.
You're down six minute 30 to go.
Of course everyone in red white and blue in here wants to see that clock ticking away as fast as possible.
But you can still see the tension on the face of some of these fans.
So there's no question there's the Eagle's Nest right there.
Six points for Davis.
Man on the floor is nothing.
He has been as advertised just driving it over and over and over again at the rim 30 points tonight four rebounds three assists three steals for Mr. Man.
Here's the pressure from the Navigators Anderson Arbor again the challenge of inbounding.
And as you can see it's not easy.
And it makes it navigators basketball.
We asked if they had three possessions.
Well here's one right now.
And no timeouts as you said.
So coach couldn't call one.
Player couldn't call one.
That's had to take the five second call Cameron inbounds.
Man three more.
One Davis man for 333 for number three.
I think we're getting an offensive.
It's a block.
Oh it's offensive.
You're right.
Field.
Yep I was too quick on the signal.
And that gives the ball right back to the navigators.
And a chance to maybe time.
What a swing of motion.
Six points with the ball.
Instead, they turn it over and get some blood.
I think here on graver, he's over on the bench.
Last for the navigators.
Had three possessions left.
No three possessions.
By the time we're not even under a minute to go.
That was unbelievable.
And again man freed himself from Brunel miraculously for the first time from deep hits.
His first three of the game and the navigators fans believing again they can tie in this possession.
Jackson Cameron is the inbound man.
High drama here at the Augusta Civic Center.
What a high school basketball game.
Fitting.
The winner is going to get a gold ball at the end of it.
Davis man to tie.
It's not quite hustling for the rebound.
Burks another chance for the navigators.
Hamlin thought about the crowd.
Wanted to go for it.
Man into the paint.
He'll go to the line.
Zuccarello is going to be careful here.
He's arguing pretty hard.
After these calls.
We'll see a close up here, he said.
He went straight up and he might be right, causing the three.
That's three fouls now on Drake Cornell Davis man shooting hoops.
We'll be shooting on every foul moving forward.
Both teams in the bonus.
Davis man has produced a Herculean effort tonight.
And there's still 65 seconds to go.
You look at the former senior who's done everything he can to wrestle this gold ball back for the navigators.
He's made it a two point game.
That one a little short but crawled in some tired legs for Davis.
Man.
He has carried this navigators team and now it's a one point game.
Again no timeouts either way some pressure.
They we're looking ahead to Acorn Sean Acorn outside Ryan parents double teams.
And he got fouled.
It's going to come down to who hits their free throws ball.
It's just them you know Thomas does not have to foul.
They can just play defensively for a while and try to cause a turnover.
Instead they've relegated themselves to watching Ryan parents do some free throws.
He's out 6 or 7.
Yeah.
You have to down one you know make him complete some passes and dribble it out a little bit.
Really handle that.
Fouls kind of what's got them back in the game over the last half for sure.
He sided coin to be sure it will work this time as there is not even a second chance is there's Sam Smith.
Coach just said I believe in you Ryan.
What a great moment there from the coach.
Yep.
They know we can both.
We left.
That's just the goosebumps.
Honestly that's pretty cool.
Look at that.
Sam Smith works.
It's a two point game.
The arrow is pointing toward Messalonskee.
If it matters in the last 48 seconds.
Davis man to tie it up.
No the rebound popped up high.
It's loose.
Who touched it last.
It's going to be blue ball I think that should be.
He's right.
Looks really well off.
Great Brunel to me the fact that Burks go for it made it look worse.
But he didn't touch it before it went out of bounds.
So it actually was off Great Brunel's foot.
You'll see here in the replay.
Let's see if we catch it.
This scrambling Cameron's in on it Hamilton on it.
But off the knee right there.
And nobody touched it before it hit the sideline Jackson Cameron 35 seconds to go a crescendo building here in Augusta man.
The perfect pass finish by Graber was given tie game.
He draws the attention and makes the pass of the year to tie it up.
Got a hold for one.
Oh they do have a timeout.
They did have one timeout left.
Live stats are deceptive.
Oh well it's that kind of game.
Isn't it?
Hard to keep up with everything going on 20.5 seconds to go.
Sam Smith takes the full timeout.
Let's see what he can drop to win his team.
The first gold ball in school history over the next 20.5 seconds.
And the last time out, it was kind of a muted and found the student section.
Now they're feeling pretty good as they rallied back 5454 20s to go.
What a fantastic finish.
We have the navigators down seven points.
Just under two minutes to go.
They've climbed back to a level terms.
So a quick reset a jump ball does go to Messalonskee.
And if any foul is going to be shots here.
So Messiah's is going to try to hold for one.
Bama has got to play some D. But you don't want to necessarily.
And here's another look here at the pass.
Look at that.
Find everybody in the center.
Thought Davis man would take that shot Ryan Parrott came over as he's done a lot here in the second half to help.
And this time he's a little left handed.
Hook pass in happening here at Augusta.
Everyone's coming to their feet 20.5 seconds to go.
Drake Brunel to inbounds.
Well we settle this in the next 20 ticks to the clock.
And we have more basketball tonight.
The inbound to Ty Bernier earlier holding with 17 seconds.
Bernier spinning away from in.
Bernier with eight seconds to go.
Who will take the last shot for Messalonskee.
Ryan.
Parents for immortality.
It's short and we will have overtime.
Wow.
It looked to me like Davis man thought they might need to foul.
He was taking some big swipes at the ball.
No call, maybe no foul.
But it looked to me like he was almost thinking I got a foul instead of gets.
The parent for immortality, as you said.
And he just left the runner short.
Who doesn't want more basketball in this game?
If you're a neutral, especially with no rooting interest, you gotta love what you're seeing here at the Augusta Civic Center.
What a contest.
Unbelievable.
If you're a parent or a grandparent or a student, you're a little bit nervous, but everyone else can just sit back and enjoy the talent on display.
What a performance from Davis man Davis man.
Tonight 35 of the 54 points.
And he has single handedly willed the navigators back into the game.
And it's not been his shooting.
You just saw the pass he made to tie things up.
Just the body control getting in the lane battling against Brunel.
But then the secondary defenders Ryan parents sometimes Parker Reynolds.
And that time he made the pass.
And this is right now in high school basketball is all about it.
You see the bouncing messalonskee student section.
Let's have four more minutes of basketball at least.
Referee Dan Nadeau explaining to the teams which way each one is going.
Ezra Hamlin kind of grinning, saying, yeah, you're right, we're going that way.
Hamlin will jump it up with Reynolds, just like we did 32 minutes ago.
And just like then, both teams completely even.
Here we go.
Navigators basketball works.
Man.
Cornell stuck with him.
Man.
Got double, got stripped, but got it back.
And baseline took it.
No.
And man commit.
The foul was Drake Cornell was taken down.
Now Davis man I didn't touch him than that.
Yeah you did.
How many he's out on man.
Let us three and it's three on man Pascal foul number three.
And we're going to shoot.
You see here are the replay.
He says he doesn't hit him.
He left it short.
Pretty clear rebound here.
And Drake Burrell shooting too hard to see if he got him on the body there.
But I don't know how much he just he wanted a traveling violation.
Didn't get it.
Here's Drake Cornell back at the line.
Now gets one more to put his team up.
He hit six free throws in the second half, but misses the opener here in overtime.
And neither one would fall.
We stay tied.
Jackson Cameron.
A little for high set here.
Man's baseline shoot short defended well man.
Got the rebound.
Wow.
Yep.
Oh man.
Will go to the line this time.
Both of his shots man that is in the second half have come up pretty short.
Personal 5 to 3.
He has got to be exhaust.
Oh my goodness.
We see parently pretty clear there.
Trying to get a steal but got most of the arm.
And parents got a little blood.
It looks like.
He sprints off the floor.
All right I'm just going to give him one.
Yes a jersey he's going to get rid of.
I think it looked like Quinn Charles, the freshman, had stripped off number 21 to give that to parent on the semifinal.
He had to change jerseys 2 or 2 new jerseys number 33 and number 21.
I think it was so Quinn Charles was ready to give up the uniform.
He was all set to go.
The rookie I think it's just going to be maybe a little blood on the bills.
Are they trying to wash off.
Maybe he's coming back Aaron beats the buzzer.
It'll tuck in as you see him.
The big story right now Davis man at the line Messalonskee had the chance in the stripe to go up two points.
They didn't capitalize Davis man has really not put one foot wrong here tonight.
And that continues.
36 you beat me to it I'm just marveling I'm running out of room on my scoresheet here.
Yeah.
He just starts up almost be in disbelief.
He got them both fouled with down seven with under two to go.
Leads by two here in overtime but still plenty of time left in the extra session.
Oh man.
Almost stole that.
Couldn't quite keep it a lot a great hustle there.
And guess who it's Davis man on the defensive end to.
There's Sam Smith looking on the Messalonskee Eagles head coach.
That's not legal.
Right.
Gets the ball out of bounds or up in the air.
He ran out of bounds and came back and got it.
Let him be called for a carry as well.
He had a lot of infractions.
Maybe the referees got to pick from it.
Now with a two point deficit, Messalonskee going to play defense a little bit of a late whistle, but he got it right.
He just surprised the referee.
Is it what happens.
Cameron I got to go into this for high set.
Hammond still with it.
Three for number ten.
He's got the basketball here.
Burks under three to go.
Brooks cut off by Acorn Raver again to Jackson Cameron.
Oh.
Hammond wanted it.
He didn't want to let fly though with a two point lead.
For a higher percentage shot.
Cameron resets.
Oh!
Foul.
Called against Bernier.
Astra's the first personal to tie Bernier, but again it's shooting the rest of the way.
He's dealing with some calf cramps.
He was being stretched out earlier.
Now he look over to the bench and said no.
He's walking towards his coach.
Left cramp, left calf cramp.
Keeps cropping up for Todd Bernier.
We'll get Anderson Arbor back in the game.
And that is major news.
What an inopportune time.
Well well he's not coming off yet.
I don't think he can come off until the first free throw.
But since he's injured they're going to say yeah you can.
He just rolls over one foot onto the bench and says, quickly stretch me out.
Jackson Cameron, an outstanding free throw shooter in the regular season, 92.9%.
One of the leaders.
He hit two when they were up one against noble to make it a three point game.
His first shots on the line tonight are big.
That's a three point lead for Falmouth.
This shot is huge.
Messalonskee can't panic, although with the shooter's roll over, Jackson, Cameron.
You're right.
Bell.
Messalonskee can't panic.
Plenty of time to go.
230 remaining at short won't fall.
Ryan Pearson underneath.
And it's fouled.
Basketball.
Everything coming up blue right now in this contest.
Tough angle there for parent.
Couldn't quite get back in front to use the glass.
Instead it went off.
Parker Reynolds out of bounds.
Great catch from Billy Burke's.
Got in trouble.
Got bumped.
That'll be on Reynolds.
And that's four on Parker Reynolds for three.
Nope.
It's three on Parker.
Excuse me.
Looks juju.
Live starts even quicker than I was.
Looked down immediately and saw the three.
But I beat them for a change.
Not this time.
There's Billy Burke's.
Oh.
So close.
He's got one more.
David Halligan seen a few games like this in his career.
He's.
Yes.
Worked up.
Neither one falls, but the rebound snatched by Graber.
David Graber.
Right place, right time.
But he goes to the line.
Coach was trying to call a timeout but the foul occurred first.
He'll take the foul around the time.
Oh to be sure he's joking around with the ref on the sideline.
So nope nope.
And that's four on Reynolds David three.
Gray with four points on the night trying to extend this four point lead.
First point of the night I believe.
But you know, after the lay up actually on the set up by, I didn't know who laid it out.
I was so excited on the pass to tie it up.
That's his third point of the night.
Adam is at four.
It's actually two now.
Three?
Just said I saw the graphic.
They put out a screen for us.
Big shots from David Graber.
He's coming off the bench to give this team valuable minutes and a steal.
And I put Mark Jackson Cameron gets an eight point lead and the gold ball was in Messalonskee grasp.
The navigators have ripped it away from them.
The press has been a huge difference in this fourth quarter.
And now overtime time as that ball was tipped away ends up in the hands of Jackson Cameron who drives in for the layup.
Ty Bernier still down with cramps.
Everything we mentioned below in the fourth quarter that the foul.
But there's going to need some scoring from someone other than Davis.
Man who's had a Herculean effort tonight.
They're starting to get that.
They definitely are Jackson Cameron hit two free throws and then the steal and the layup.
You saw two points from David Graeber.
Billy Burke's been quiet for his standards but he's played some really good defense.
And there's the Gold Ball they both covet.
That's the price.
So close a Messalonskee seven point lead under two to go and in less than four minutes of basketball.
Bill it's been a 15 point swing.
Absolutely unbelievable turn of events.
Just incredible turn of events.
And now tie birdie is going to give it a go.
It's a stretch for about the last five minutes in real time.
I'll be honest when I said about foul what they had three possessions left I hadn't given up on them.
But I was starting to engrave that toe tag.
Yeah, it feels like, I felt like at that point, Messi was in some, you know, was ready to cut down the nets.
And Falmouth, to their credit, has not given up.
Oh, and while they're trying to wipe up the floor, Tyburn here goes down to get this cramp stretched out even more.
So Ernie is doing everything he can to sustain this basketball game.
I'm not sure what's on the floor.
The ref two people have tried to wipe it up and he's turned them away, so I'm not sure what it is trying to desperately trying to stretch out Ty Bernier.
The Eagles really want him on the floor.
I mean he was incredible here.
He has 20 points leading scorer.
It looks like there must be some blood.
They're going to spray and then wipe up.
So many storylines to this game tonight.
As far as the twists and turns down the stretch.
Both these teams you mentioned during the pregame bill, unfinished business from Messalonskee, a heartbreaking loss on this floor last year to Hampton Academy in the regional finals.
They exercise that goes they beat the Broncos 4937 to get here.
But if they don't come back to win this game, it'll be heartbreak all over again.
Just of a different fashion as that Gold Ball was in their grasp, the navigator said not so fast.
I felt like it was almost inevitable when you were kind of counting down the possessions and found the in quick water, tied it up still 210 to go.
Brunel setting up the Eagles cannot diddled battle here.
At Cornell, guarded by David Graver.
That's a bad foul.
Yeah it's called against man over exuberant there and that's for now on Davis man that's four for one.
And they're fouling somebody you know 30ft from the hoop.
That's not even square to the basket.
So Hawks are going to stop.
Give me a chance to put two on the board.
Ty Gardner at the lines here at the line 75% on the night.
Funny moment about nine coaches for Falmouth has looked at Davis's minutes.
And you've got four to go I know I know.
There's one.
And Bernier just gutting it out 21 points.
That calf clearly bothering him.
My guess is Drake Brunel is going to try to take a charge on Davis man and get him out of this game.
If he tries to drive the paint he's done it once.
Six point game.
Now Cameron Bernier went for the steal.
Here comes Cameron again.
Jackson Cameron battling Ryan Parrish.
Now he's got some room Cameron the bouncer a man for two off the glass.
And one.
And one more coming.
What a play by Jackson Cameron.
He's really controlled the action here in overtime.
Watch the pass.
Oh ball a late foul on Brunel.
Hit him in the head.
A surgical pass and precision on that from Cameron the man.
Picture perfect.
Shot.
Well go.
But it's still an eight point lead.
Kick kickball will keep up with Messalonskee.
But they're in a similar situation that Falmouth was in town.
Three possessions, minute and a half, 137 to be exact.
As all that remains.
The navigators pull a Houdini in this situation back in the fourth quarter.
What can the Eagles do in overtime?
Bernier launching the three.
No.
And the rebound snatched by Burks.
Going to travel.
And Messalonskee gets it back 126 to go.
There was a hair of confusion between him.
Was going to be him that was going to grab it or Jackson Cameron.
And the indecision led to a travel game setting a very high bar for the ones tomorrow in Portland.
Bangor to follow Cornell.
The inbounds Bernier was in into deep.
Lost the handle.
Got fouled.
I think that's graver.
And I think that's number five right.
Them it's either graver or it's Cameron.
Definitely graver.
That's graver yeah yeah.
That's it for him.
Foul.
You'll see here a little bump head fake from Bernier right there.
Oh yeah.
Tied.
Bernier back at the line.
He hits both will cut it to six.
And let's just say Messalonskee is not going to give up either.
No way.
This is a classic here at the Augusta Civic Center.
The swings of emotions in this game Rob, have been pretty rare for me.
I'm not too many games like this.
The pendulum has been in overdrive here tonight when it comes to momentum.
Bernier hits the first.
He's got one more.
And how about this?
Could have gotten through some crazy stretch in between free throws that keep tightening up.
And if you've ever been there athletically, but every step you take, it tightens up and you just can't move the goal balls on the line.
You do what you can to play through it.
Burnell hits both.
Those are big.
It's now a two possession game again.
Now Falmouth has inbound the basketball and they do.
As for Hamlin oh I got a foul on Brunel.
That's David Davis man who got fouled.
And there's that five on Brunel.
It is.
And it's personal to find out what a performance from Drake.
Burnout on the defensive end I know that sounds crazy for the amount of points man has.
But he was on him all night long battling him chest to chest.
And Davis man shooting.
But he still scored 13 points and grabbed down eight rebounds.
Now man's at the line.
Trying to hit the big four up and does 40 points.
I thought the 30 saw the 39 against Freiburg.
I thought wow on a blowout.
But how about 40 and counting?
When the team did it in the most an eight point lead again under 80s to go.
Is there a way back for Messalonskee?
Tie Bernier a fadeaway for two off the iron.
The rebound batted to man.
Man.
He gets rid of it.
Timeout a timeout called by coach Elegant Falmouth time.
That was a very alert play by Davis.
Man to go on the floor and just pushed the ball away.
Yeah.
And Jackson came in right man on the on the spot again running through half court.
Didn't get it back.
Court violation.
Establish himself.
Made the catch.
And coach Halligan with a well timed timeout 63 seconds to go.
You see the time and the score again.
If you're just joining us Messalonskee with a seven point lead but a minute and a half remaining in the contest Falmouth came back forced overtime.
And you see what their fans think of this performance.
Navigators over a minute, just over a minute away from goal.
Ball number nine.
In their first since knocking off Oceanside in 2016.
That probably feels like a long time for Falmouth.
Nine years between goal balls low schools.
That's okay, but a Falmouth.
They went in pretty frequently, especially the navigators.
These seniors were there in 2022 and 2023.
Both times they came up short and look, I was going to happen again to them.
And rose up off the canvas.
Here's the inbound play for the navigators.
They inbound at the Tyler Simmons camera underneath.
That might be the cherry on top for Davis.
Man what a play by Jackson Cameron again.
He's been the man parent for three man's got the rebounds.
And tonight now with seven rebou This is going to do it for the navigators Ezra Hamlin puts it up by a dozen.
And it's going to be heartbreak again.
He goes to Civic Center for Messalonskee maybe more so this time as they've come so close.
Arbor shot will go second one does off the glass, but there's just not enough time left for the Eagles.
Now, this is academic at this point.
They're going to run it out.
Jackson Cameron with the ball and navigators again heartbreak twice.
These seniors have tasted defeat.
Once here once in Portland but not tonight the celebration begins.
Navigators.
All right.
What an effort to go from down seven.
Minute 50 to go or so.
And make your way back to win a state championship.
Wrestling fans will get this reference.
That classic Undertaker zombie sit up.
You think he's dead?
And all of a sudden he pops up with a vengeance.
And the guy who led them off the canvas?
Davis man.
And the word heroic is overused in sports.
I try not to use it, in fact, Beale, but tonight I'm gonna make an exception.
Davis.
Man 43 points to bring his team back to a gold ball.
He was heroic.
Tonight.
That name will live forever in Falmouth after the game tonight.
Oh, yeah.
The 2025 game.
That was the Davis man game.
What an for other people.
Huge down the stretch Jackson Cameron Billy Burke's defense.
But it was Davis man with an epic state championship performance.
And now the real fun begins for the boys out there in blue Tyler Simmons.
They'll cut down the nets.
They'll collect their trophies and they'll hoist a gold ball.
Look at them now.
Falmouth Navigators.
And Davis for three.
They announce 43 points from Davis.
Man.
And everyone behind us goes crazy.
43 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.
Not a bad night's work for number three.
You could leave me alone in this gym for a while.
I might not get the 43 points.
Unbelievable.
Billy Burke's just beside himself with emotion.
And why not?
And there's Davis, man.
Look at his face.
His expression tells the entire story, doesn't it, coach TJ mains are 80 now.
Means has to tell him.
Guys got to go cut down.
The nets are waiting for you guys.
How about this number for Davis man.
Overall he started quietly against great New Gloucester.
Just six points in that contest and went for 39 against Freiburg.
And that 6336 win 17 against noble to knock off the number one seed.
And 43 tonight.
There's Connor Gooch, the sophomore.
With 11 seniors, it's hard to figure out who's gonna be able to swing the nets.
I'm guessing number three is going to be one of them.
Yeah, I would think he's earned it.
Even graver off the bench tonight and a great night.
He fouled out of the contest before that some significant minutes.
He had the big lay up at the end of regulation on the great pass from Davis man to tie it up.
As Tyler Simmons.
Junior Dominic Howell will get his chance with the cheers.
Down the other side though.
What's it got to be like for the Eagles to watch this?
Yeah, really really tough I see Ryan Perron over there in tears actually.
His shirt is ripped down the middle like he almost ripped it in frustration that just a tough loss.
They lost last year in heartbreaking fashion in the regional final.
And then your career ends.
Well.
You thought you had it in your grasp.
It was there.
Oh for sure.
Messalonskee didn't lose it.
Falmouth came and took it.
No tie.
Bernier really impacted them down the stretch for sure.
But Falmouth, as you said, they would not be denied.
You couldn't blame a lot of the fans here for thinking Messalonskee was taking the Gold Ball back to Oakland about a minute and a half left when the Eagles were up seven points.
One of the greatest comebacks.
And that's saying something when we talk about high school sports here in the state of Maine and this illustrious tournament that's gone on for a long time, almost a century overall, we're looking at class A state championship games.
This has got to be one of the best comebacks in state history.
Yeah, I mean, it felt to me like it was over and all of a sudden, you know, man only hit 13I believe.
And it was in that they were down six with about a minute to go.
We hit the three to cut it down to three, a free throw and then the incredible pass everyone in the building expects to take it in there and shoot a little leaner, try to get fouled.
Instead, he makes a smart pass across to graver.
With the managers up there, or maybe that's a player.
We had one injured player.
Yeah, Ethan Doucette and of course can't see if that's Mr. Doucette or not without the number.
And that's the thing the ultimate team game.
Everyone gets a turn.
And here comes Davis man at the other side.
So we'll see him.
Yep there he is.
MVP rains down from the Falmouth parents.
To Davis man finishing the job just like he did on the floor.
The game in the balance.
He torched the nets all night.
Now he just gets to cut him down and celebrate with his ten other seniors.
Go ahead boys, wave them.
You earned it.
Jackson, Cameron and Billy Burke's down on the sand.
I love what it means to Billy Burke's.
11 seniors on this Falmouth team.
They knew it was their last chance to win a Gold Ball.
They'd been here twice.
They would not get another shot.
And their hopes were faint.
Yet here they are, celebrating a championship.
Remarkable, remarkable end to this contest.
Frankly, it says a lot about their character because of those 11 seniors.
You know, a few of them don't play very much.
Right.
So it's easy, you know, you see in other sports or maybe other schools, those kids get down.
Well, I'm not playing blame the coach.
They have 11 seniors that are still playing basketball, and they are going to pick up that gold ball here in about five minutes.
Congratulations to both teams on their exceptional championship level play throughout the 2025 tournament.
We hope that the memories you made this season and over the past two weeks of the tournament last a lifetime.
As you all think back to your tournament experience with your teammates, coaches, families and friends, may you take with you pride in your efforts on the court.
You have represented yourselves, your communities, and Maine basketball well.
For the seniors on both teams, thank you.
Thank you all for your leadership throughout your high school basketball careers.
We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
Now on the court representing the Maine Principals Association.
Our Dan Hart, retired principal of Oxford School District.
And TJ means, athletic administrator of Cony High School and representing where Butler Building Supply is Matt Gorman.
To begin the award, we asked head coach Sam Smith of the Messalonskee High School and his assistants, Garen Plummer and Chuck Glidden, to come forward to assist the presentation of awards.
Managers.
Sophomore Nicholas Corbett.
Senior.
Braden Forbush.
Team personnel.
Freshman.
Patented.
Freshman Caleb Morris.
Freshman.
Quinton.
Charles.
Sophomore Jeremy Conroy.
Sophomore.
Colby spry.
Sophomore Jeremiah McKenzie.
Sophomore Liam Allen.
Sophomore Shawn Acorn.
Junior Josiah Stone.
Junior.
Anderson.
Arbor.
Senior.
Michael.
Acorn.
Senior captain.
Parker.
Reynolds.
Senior captain.
Ryan parent.
Senior captain.
Ty Bernier.
And senior captain Drake Brunel.
On behalf of the Maine Principals Association.
And where Butler building supply.
It is our pleasure to present the runner up plaque for the 2025 Maine Class AA Boys state basketball championship to the Eagles of Messalonskee High School.
Congratulations.
And now to present the awards to your 2025 Maine Class AA state basketball champions of Falmouth High School.
We ask head coach Dave Halligan to come forward along with his assistant coaches James Hilton, Ed Flaherty, Matt Simoneau, Keith Magnuson, and John Carter.
Managers.
Aiden Levy.
Evan.
Yale and.
Jamie.
Fruits.
Caden.
Berry.
Team personnel.
Sophomore Connor Gooch.
Junior Thomas Gale.
I don't have a grade for Sam Lou injured.
And I'm not able to play today.
Sam Lou.
Also, Ethan Doucette, injured and unable to play today.
Junior.
Dominic.
How?
Junior.
Ben Robbins.
Senior Tyler Simmons.
Senior Declan O'Brien.
Senior.
Luca Roediger.
Senior.
Nick Roediger.
Senior.
Ezra Hamlin.
Senior David Graver.
Senior.
Robbie.
Susi.
Senior captain Billy Burks.
Senior captains.
Jackson.
Cameron.
And senior captain.
Davis.
Ma'am.
At this time, we'd like to present the game ball to the coach.
On behalf of the Maine Principals Association.
And we are Butler Building Supply.
It is our pleasure to present the champion Gold Ball trophy for the 2025 Maine Class AA boys basketball champion through the Falmouth High School Navigators.
Congratulations from all of us at the Maine Principals Association and where Butler Buildings apply.
Enjoy celebrating your championship.
Jubilation for the Falmouth Navigators.
That's two gold balls this school year.
They did in the fall for football.
And the fans get to celebrate again here for basketball.
An incredible effort.
I'm rarely speechless.
But Davis man that second half performance in overtime.
Unbelievable.
Yet again Ethan Snow is going to talk to him next.
We back on Maine Public Television production of high school basketball on Maine Public Television is made possible by people like you and by thanks to Maine credit unions, surf Network.
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Coastal Auto Parts selling Napa auto parts since 1981 with 29 locations across the state proudly supporting student athletes from across Maine.
Dead River company committed to reliably delivering propane and heating oil to homes and businesses throughout Maine.
Dead river.com Thomas College dedicated to helping students unlock their possible for over 130 years.
Unlock your possible@thomas.edu the environment is just awesome.
Great campus, small close knit community.
Everyone's very welcoming.
Everything feels very personal.
You feel like you belong here?
Well, Billy Joel said it best in his song Summer Island Falls is either sadness or euphoria.
And right now you're looking at euphoria with a Falmouth navigators, a comeback victory, 7260, their win, their first goal ball since 2016 and their ninth overall.
They lost.
His freshman loss is sophomores.
And you go out your senior year in style.
The boys and blue and yellow down there on the floor.
Ethan Snow is going to be heading over to talk to some of the victorious navigators and coach David Allegany 615th win.
He's.
And remember this one for a long time.
That's a lot of wins I think this is going to stand out.
Yes, sir.
Ethan Snow take it away.
Thank you ma'am.
Thank you very much.
Rob.
Coach Dave Halligan, you've won a lot in your career.
It's been a long time, but this one might just top them all.
Where does this one rank for you?
It's a special one.
That was a great high school basketball game.
Kudos to Messalonskee.
They gave it their all.
We got a couple of breaks at the end and it went our way a minute and a half to go.
You're down by seven.
What's going through your mind.
We told the players at the beginning of the game, we're going to play every single second to the very end.
That's what they did.
All right coach, congratulations, Brian.
Bring in, Jackson.
Cameron, come on over here, boss.
Hey, congratulations.
Great game tonight.
Of course, you both you and Davis and the rest of this senior class fell short.
Two straight years as freshmen and sophomores.
You come here, seniors, and they get the job done.
Maybe not quite in the fashion that you expected to do.
So take me through those final minutes.
You know, we never really thought it was over.
We knew we always had a chance.
So we just kept on pushing.
We kept our grit, and we knew we could win, so we just stuck with it, and, it worked out.
What's going through your mind?
You're down seven with 90s to go.
What exactly is going through your mind?
You trail the entire half, you close in messalonskee counters, and you're down by seven the minute I have to go.
What's going through your mind?
I'm in.
We were kind of just, again, unfortunate events.
I mean, we missed a lot of open looks.
And then they started going in.
This guy turns up, he.
I don't know how much he had, but I don't even want to know.
And yeah, it just starts.
Shots start to fall.
And from there it was just it was just barbecue chicken.
Well, let's bring in the man of the hour.
No pun intended, folks at home Davis man 44 points tonight in your final high school basketball game.
And you say you certainly saved the best for last.
And I'm going to ask you the same thing as Jackson.
You're down seven 90s to go.
What's going through your mind?
We came out of a timeout and I was telling all I.
You know, it's not over till it's over.
We got to play till the final clock, and I just knew we had to attack the rim and attack the basket.
Yeah.
Yep.
At one point, did you feel that you were having a great game and you knew that you needed to take over and get your team back in this game?
I mean, from the beginning, you know, I saw my shots are falling and I knew I could get good shots.
You know, I could just get around the defense.
And yeah, I just knew I needed to attack the rim to step up.
Well, everybody's kind of all your teammates kind of dispersed here.
But hey, you guys can tell me what it's like to be state.
Tell me.
Tell.
The camera was like to be state champions for the first time in nine years.
Absolutely amazing.
You know, I haven't really set in yet, but, you know, all I can say.
Oh, well, on the bus, I mean, it's a dream come true.
We've been talking about it since we were in, like, I want to say, like second grade.
We knew we did it and we did it.
So.
Yeah.
Congratulations, gentlemen.
Enjoy this one.
Rob.
Coach Lippert, back to you.
Thanks very much, Ethan.
And wow, it's going to take a while to kind of recover from this game as far as, just the emotion overall.
What a contest we got to witness here.
Beal unbelievable start to finish.
Got to feel bad for Messalonskee.
Had it in their grasp and then let it slide through.
But Falmouth took advantage of some breaks late like they said.
And Jackson came and played brilliantly.
And Davis man was the man to pack up and head down to Portland for tomorrow.
The games in Bangor as well.
I want to thank Ethan Snow, being the captain to Godfrey, and everybody is part of our Maine Public Television crew.
My name is Robert Kennedy saying good night from Augusta, your class AA champs of Falmouth Navigators here on Maine Public Television.
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