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From the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

It's the MPA girls Class C state championship presented by Wear Butler with the Hall Dale Bulldogs and the Penobscot Valley Howlers.

Good evening.

We are at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor and we are getting ready for the girls Class C state championship game between a couple of number ones.

I'm Brian Stevens, along with Julie Sinclair, number one, Penobscot Valley High School of Howland, and number one holiday ale number ones in their respective regions.

A couple of teams.

What do we, what are we looking for in general terms, from each of these teams tonight generally.

Congratulations to both of them for getting here.

Dale is familiar with the championship court.

They have four senior starters.

They're aggressive.

They get to the line, and they shoot well from the line.

On the other end, the howlers are undefeated.

They are a team to beat.

They are aggressive.

They have zone, defense.

And they made history coming in 25 three pointers.

Coming into the tournament, which is exceptional.

All Dale certainly no stranger to the championship games and they were in the state title game last year falling to Dexter and Penobscot Valley.

They had some trouble getting over the regional hump the last two years.

They were beaten by Dexter the last two years.

So each team certainly familiar with the pressure of being in the tournament.

They are.

And both teams have been challenged somewhat coming into this gold ball game.

And I think that will help them in this game as they compete against each other.

All right.

Right now we are going to turn things over to Jim Baynes for the first of our interviews with the coaches.

Jim.

Well Coach Row I tell you hotel is part of a little history tonight with the 50 year anniversary of team winning a state championship.

And now you can make a little history of your own tonight.

Probably.

We would love to make some history of our own tonight.

Yes.

The girls are pumped and they're ready to go.

All right, let's talk about the howlers.

I'm sure you've been scouting them all week.

What do you see?

What are you concerned about?

We've been working really hard against traps and their defense.

We've had the boys in to practice with us this week to really put some pressure on us and, what they do.

So we've been we've been working really hard.

And hopefully we can, we can get through their traps and their pressure defense.

Anybody on your schedule that you say could compare with, VHS or is that a little different?

Well, in the first round of the playoffs, we played Poland.

They play a lot of the same zone defense.

They don't trap as much, so.

But I think we've seen it before.

We've played a lot of good teams this year.

You know, we played Spruce Mountain.

We beat them in the MVC championship game.

So I think I think we played some tough teams to get us ready for this.

All right.

Well good luck to you okay.

Right back to you.

All right.

Thank you very much Jim.

We mentioned Penobscot Valley coming in here with an unblemished record, 21 and all.

Holiday at 18 and three.

And on the power side, they've really, kind of steamrolled their opponents in a big way throughout much of the season.

Two of their.

Well, actually, three of their closest games were against Matt Hancock Academy, the closest being in the regional final that came down to the wire until the last moments of the game, really.

And again, their ability just to defend something Magna did very well is take care of the ball.

So I know that they're going to come with their press, their zone, press the traps, and it's Caldwell mentioned that's going to be a key for them to win.

All right Jim Bain standing by with coach case.

All right coach case I know the Highland area's pumped up for this here tonight.

And good reason.

I mean, what a wonderful season you've had just far.

Yeah, yeah.

Look at the community right there.

The girls are playing for something bigger than themselves.

And they can see the community support.

And it just means a lot.

It means a lot to all of us.

And to know that the, the culture is in a good spot, right?

Where everyone's here and supporting the girls, knowing they're doing the right thing and, and playing hard and representing the community very well.

So, we're we're having a lot of fun, honestly.

All right, guys, got down, down.

Getting down to X's and O's here.

The Bulldogs.

What have you seen from them?

On film.

And what do you think.

Yeah, they're a great team.

They can shoot on the perimeter.

They're tough physically.

And they've been tested.

You know, I think I think they have all the pieces of athleticism to, to beat us.

And so we have to bring our best.

And, I think the girls are ready for that challenge.

All right, well, good luck to you.

Okay.

Very good.

All right.

Right, now, let's take a look at the Road to Gold.

All right.

As we look at these two teams, we have the Holiday Ale Bulldogs coming in at 18 and three.

They're averaging about 56 points a game, keeping teams to about 36 points a game.

They come into the tournament ranked number one in the South and won their regional final 36 to 25 over Madison.

Their last Gold Ball was in 2022.

On the other end, PVH is coming in with a record 21 and zero.

They average 75 points a game.

Hold teams to about 24 points, come in ranked number one and one over 42 to 37 over man McCook.

And they're looking for their first gold Ball in the history of Penobscot Valley.

They have been to the state championship game a couple of times.

They lost to Calder in 1986.

The first trip and then Boothbay back in 2019.

And it's one thing to come in at number one.

They're both coming in as number one, but coming in at number one and undefeated makes it even make perhaps a little bigger target on your back.

Exactly.

And it's the first time in a little while that they've been on this court, which is a state championship game.

They've been knocking on the door.

So I know Coach Case has a bit of relief to be here.

And on the other hand, it's a good team and holiday to be able to come against this backdrop.

Having crosscurrents on this 2025 has to turn things over.

Now to PA announcer Rich as a championship presented by where Butler Building Supply a division of pleasant River lumber.

This class C girls state championship game features these southern Maine champions with a record of 18 and three.

The Bulldogs from Hall del Middle High School.

And the Northern Maine Champions with a record of 21.

And oh, the howlers from Penobscot Valley High School.

Before introducing the teams, the Maine Principals Association and Fame, the Finance Authority of Maine remind you that interscholastic athletics are an extension of the educational classroom.

In keeping with his educational mission, the Maine Principals Association places a significant emphasis on sportsmanship at all MPA sanctioned events.

We expect that you will do your part by supporting these student athletes, coaches, game officials and fellow spectators in a positive manner.

We thank you in advance for your support of sportsmanship and of the 2025 MPA State Basketball Championship presented by Where Butler Billing Supply.

And now let's meet the participants in this state championship game.

First, these South champions hold their Bulldogs.

Freshman number three, Genevieve Chick or Ellie?

A freshman number four, Sophia Mirch.

A sophomore number five, Isabelle Pinkham.

A sophomore, number 11 Mya Hammonds.

A freshman, number 12 Gabby Russell.

Freshman.

Number 25 Adrianna Badger.

And a sophomore.

Number 33, Alexis Bickford.

The assistant coaches for Hall Dale are Kristen Garrett and Olivia Bourque.

The head coach is Lori Rowe.

And now let's meet the north champions, Penobscot Valley howlers.

Freshman number ten, Charlotte Breaux.

Shoe.

A freshman, number 13, Nicole Solomon.

A sophomore, number 31, Abby Farley.

A senior number 32, Jessica Condra.

The managers for Penobscot Valley are Lily Hallett, Paxton King, Emily Mailman, and Emma Cole.

Assistant coaches Mike Austin, Alex Mooney and Jonathan Hallett.

And the head coach of the Howlers is Nate Case.

And now the starting lineups for Hall down a senior captain.

Number ten Tori Tibbetts.

And for Penobscot Valley, a senior captain.

Number one Ellie Austin.

For the Bulldogs a junior number 15 Cierra Gibbons.

And for the howlers, a sophomore.

Number two Brooklyn Raymond.

For Hall Dale, a senior captain.

And number 20, Lucy Gray.

And for Penobscot Valley, a junior captain.

Number three, Riley Moulton.

For the Bulldogs, a senior captain.

Number 22 Mary Benoit.

And for the hollows, a junior, A captain.

Number 20 Lyla Cummings.

For holiday, a senior captain.

Number 31 Jade Graham.

And for Penobscot Valley, a senior in captain.

Number 40 Shay Ireland.

The official for this game, Mister Caswell, Mister Dimitri and Mister Allah.

Certified athletic training services are provided by Northern Light Sports Health.

You are now invited to please stand and remove your caps.

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 NBA Basketball Tournament, we lost a great friend with the passing of longtime tournament public address announcer Reed Ross.

Reed served at the public address voice for several high school and collegiate events for nearly 20 years.

Reed was a graduate of Hall Dale High School, where he first started announcing games, and his brother Jeremy currently serves as athletic administrator at Penobscot Valley High School.

Please join in a moment of silence as we honor the memory of Reed Ross.

Thank you.

Please remain standing for the singing of our national anthem to sing our anthem today.

Please welcome to Center Court, Matt and all.

Kirk Academy junior, Kaitlyn Coakley, cookie and Hall Dale, senior Ben Schaefer.

Compose.

Can you see by the dawn's early light.

What so proudly we hailed.

At the twilight's last gleaming.

Whose broad stripes and bright stars.

Through the perilous fight o'er the ramparts we watched.

Were so gallantly streaming.

And the rockets red glare, the bombs burst in air.

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

Oh, say does that star spangled banner.

Yet when for the land of the free and the home of the brave.

You.

All right.

We are just about ready to get underway in this girls class C state championship matchup between the Hilldale Bulldogs and the Penobscot Valley Howlers.

I talked to Coach Rowe beforehand and said, she said they had a chance to come up and shootaround on Wednesday.

And one of the first things that kind of took the girls by surprise, just the bright lights.

Much different than in Augusta.

The sides of the course have almost like these bright spot lights.

And if you're at the right angle for a layup or a three point shot, you feel a little blinded.

If either team needs to get off to the quick start, who is it?

I think both teams, if you want to win a quick start will help, but it's going to be key that Caldwell takes care of the ball.

Against the pressure.

For both teams, just settling in early in the game sometimes is the name of the game.

In a state championship game, you get the opening tip and they'll have first crack at the basket.

It means that Friday comes with it.

Is gray back to Givens on the baseline and will have a blocking foul.

I believe that's going to be on Shay Ireland and neither team can really afford foul trouble.

They don't go super deep, but one thing Holliday does well is attack the rim and they draw fouls well.

But that foul did go against Ireland so they Penobscot Valley has their first foul of the game.

Shot up and missed and will bring it the other way.

Goes over the right side Raymond shot no good.

I bet Holliday is hoping she's cooled off within the week.

That is the player who did beat the, record tournament record of nine threes in one game that was down along the baseline.

Is Tibbetts off the glass battle for underneath.

And it's going to be Bulldog basketball.

From the top of the key the three no good.

And we'll have a foul.

It's going to go on Marie Benoit Maria's aggressive looking to get those offensive rebounds or just deflections.

But one of the things that you have advantage of against the zone is trying to go for the rebounds.

You're not always guaranteed to be boxed out.

There now with it is Riley Moulton.

She brings it up and penetrates, dribbles off to the right side.

Ellie Austin, town attorney all four years that force to be reckoned with for the holidays.

Austin goes in draws contact on the second effort to the block.

Ellie Austin is another talented player you could see here who's going to look to attack.

I got her defender off her feet really, but there was no one there to box out because her defender went down.

Tibbetts called for the foul.

Austin hits the foul shot.

Kelly always struggled a bit from the foul line in their regional final against Matt Hancock Academy.

She makes them both.

Penobscot Valley grabs the early lead and it's going the other way as Sierra Givens ran on the real estate down along the baseline.

This a great press breaker there.

They got it quickly to half court.

Sometimes you want to slow it down.

I even if you want to be the aggressor.

Howlers work it down low.

The shot is no good by Cummins.

Now Cummins is going to be called for the foul.

Her first second team foul on the howlers however foreign number 20 you might like.

That's something that can happen just within the aggressiveness of their defense.

Regardless on making mess.

They're usually trying to pick up and press but they'll definitely want to be aware of how the officials may be calling it, as neither team can afford to get in foul trouble.

Caldwell does break the press.

Tibbetts, the jumper.

Nothing there.

Howlers come up with the board.

Down into the corner, Moulton.

No good in Moulton.

My correction, I think earlier this is her first three of the game.

And that is the player who's had the hot hand.

And she was also named the tournament MVP for the northern regional title for the Northern Regional tournament.

It's usually when players wear the number three, they try to represent the three well, just that she did that.

They shot off the glass.

No good.

Cummings with the rebound kicks it out to Austin.

They'll swung it around right side quickly.

Raman dumps it inside to Cummings as he's going to trouble.

So another turnover puts the ball back into the hands of the Bulldogs.

They've been working.

The howlers have been working to get it in to Cummings at times.

She shuffled her feet just a little bit.

Tibbetts gets it across mid court.

Driving hands a floater.

No good by Gibbons.

Baseball pass up ahead.

Nice pass right to Dalton Johnson over the counter.

She lays it in for two.

It's a highlight reel right there I must have been three quarter court pass right on the dime.

Just over the outstretched defender's hands.

There's a shot by the Bulldogs.

Nothing there.

And again it's Penobscot Valley doing the job on the boards.

Limiting to one shot will be the key for PV as Cummings goes in.

Loses the handle.

Now picked off by Austin and she has it knocked away.

Nice defensive play by Sierra Givens.

That's aggressive hands to stay active.

I'm sure she wishes she could take that turnover away as it was a little bit unforced.

But that's one thing that you don't realize while watching how fatiguing it is.

If this type of press stays the whole game, then they try to get the ball in to Cummins.

She does get it and she is blocked by Sierra Givens.

Gray bottled up in the corner, gets it out into the corner.

Tibbetts the shot.

No good.

They're getting the shots.

They can take and watch and actually can make.

But have yet to see one fall through the net yet.

Austin pulls it out, directs traffic.

Bolton hits raining and the whistle and a foul will be called on.

Jade Graham.

Told the crowd that was a set play that the howlers enjoy it.

It's a little bit of an elevator screen for the shooter and the screen worked.

I'm sure Coach Rowe has a plan for that play, but I don't know if they executed it quite well.

That's a long time to throw much range.

Brooklyn Raymond on the line.

This is her first.

Raymond, a sophomore.

He got one more.

Take a look at Coach Laurie row for the Bulldogs.

She makes two out of three for the howlers.

Up six.

Nothing more for five from the free throw line is the difference maker right now.

Bulldogs looking for their first points in this game.

4.5 minutes in.

Try to work it into the paint.

But it's picked off there by the howlers.

Cummings got a hand on it and then she was immediately fouled.

That one's going to hurt.

I believe this will be Graham's second number 31.

They bring a lot first, second and the team's fourth losses in foul.

This is a player averaging about 17 points a game in the tournament Jade Graham.

So to have her on the bench is costly for Hall.

Dale I Hammonds into the game.

Cummings with the ball for Penobscot Valley and their way into the paint.

Austin now takes it works against the defender.

Shot high off the back of the iron taken down by the Bulldogs.

Pass over to the left wing and the shot is up.

And in the military service.

The Bulldogs are on the board.

Tory Tibbetts is a tough player who can make it with contact.

Come down low, Cummings all along.

Nice pass from Moulton.

Cummings.

Timeout called the holiday.

Will call the timeout.

They'll take the 62nd timeout as we take a look at the last score by Penobscot Valley.

We don't see how she was open but it was a double Bosse double screen for her at the elbow area.

A nice lead pass and a make matter to you where Butler hops up Valley up 8 to 2.

The season eight of high school quiz show Maine returns on Thursday, March 20th.

Tune in to watch schools from around the state.

Match wits and compete for the $1,000 prize this season.

Schools from Orono to Fryeburg to South Berwick will be battling it out for the championship.

It all starts Thursday, March 20th at 8 p.m. on Maine Public Television.

Replay.

You can see all deals.

Last bucket.

As we mentioned, Audrey Tibbetts loves to be aggressive and get to the rim and she can make it with contact.

I assume we're going to see a little more of that as a game.

Continue.

It'll be holiday basketball as we come out of it.

Timeout.

There's the pressure again as we will see.

I'm sure throughout all of this game.

Driving is Benoit and we got a violation of travel.

Benoit is slithery when she gets in the paint and usually is good at getting around defenders, but at that time, a few too many steps.

In on the dribble.

What about the shot gives up to Raymond?

The three is good play Raymond for three.

Now and nearly stolen away all.

Dale has done a nice job handling the pressure up to this point.

Getting it across mid court.

Ahab in this pressure will not let off even on misses.

PVH will be looking to put pressure on.

And the ball is taken away by Moulton.

Drives and lays it up for two.

Gets the foul.

Oh man.

And their defense is a sight to see.

Just the aggressiveness and they're locked in.

Ability for you here after the steal going in hard at the line.

And that's a situation for they'll they will have to make an adjustment at some point.

Just in needing to preserve the fouls.

Bolton makes it a three point play with that made foul shot I'll bring it it up because Benoit.

Yeah Vince steps on the end line.

She is down.

Looks like she may be hurt.

Not sure if it's.

Yeah.

Looks like it.

Looks like she's holding her knee.

Yes, she tweaked it when she was driving.

Baseline.

I think.

That's unfortunate.

Obviously this is a key player.

But for this stage we don't want any players injured.

I'm Scott Valley with a 14 to 2 lead.

And this is certainly one of the last things that Coach Rowe and the Bulldogs need is to have one of their key players go down with injury.

This is the type of adversity that you really can't plan for.

But, Caldwell is led by a number of seniors that even with the foul trouble of Graham and now this injury by Gibbons.

Just going to have to stay together through the adversity.

Definitely seem to be paying attention to that right knee.

It's always a little scary whenever it's a knee.

See if we can pick it up here.

Driving baseline and.

Yeah.

You could see a little, little tweak.

Let's hope it's more of a scare because it's the knee I will be hoping the best.

Obviously for Gibbons.

And, Scott Valley with the ball and the lead, it is molten.

Has it knocked away from behind.

Glass goes up quickly ahead to Benoit.

Benoit tries to wait for the defender to go by that Austin able to get a hand on it.

You know I want to know how wide that wingspan is of, Ellie Austin.

She's certainly lanky, taller by arms, and she is by length.

She loves going to Valley dearly.

Picked it off, and it's saved into the hands of gray, whose shot is off the mark.

And now it's the Bulldogs with the two and one to go.

And this is the player who can lead with leadership through this adversity.

Right now.

She's relentless on the boards in her first at the line.

So Brooklyn Raymond picks up the foul.

That is her first 13 foul.

Tibbetts misses the foul shot.

Pass goes down low along the baseline.

Cummings gets it back out front back into Cummings.

Knocked away.

Scramble for and into the hands Mya Hammonds for the Bulldogs.

So now it's Tibbetts and kick it around into the corner.

But oh it shot off the back of the iron stolen back away by the Bulldogs.

Well now it gives it over to Hammonds.

Out.

Tibbetts bottled up in the corner, tries to find some help.

Gets it in the person of Gabby Russell.

And Brooklyn Raymond hustling to the floor to be able to get that steal.

Three pointer put up by Moulton off the mark.

And that's the end of the first quarter as time runs out on the Bulldogs 14 for the score.

We'll be back with the second quarter of play in just a ball.

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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.

14 to 4 is the score at the end of the first quarter of play.

Brennan Stevens along with Julie Sinclair.

We are happy to bring you the girls Class C state championship match up North.

Scott Valley and Holiday are going at it and it is Cummings.

Cummings opens the scoring here in quarter number two.

That's the third possession.

Holiday's been in a zone the first two times.

It's worked well.

But now to pound it into the paint.

Now holiday with the ball.

And it's knocked away by Ellie Austin.

Austin will push it up.

Gives over to Raymond three and oh I no no a picture perfect form.

You need one watch Raymond in this game.

Another steal by the howlers and it's Raymond.

Good play Raymond.

She has ten points average about 76 points a game.

They've scored in the 90s, 101 game.

And this is why they're getting turnovers and converting to points.

Benoit off the defender.

The shot is good tonight.

It's kind of holding her back.

And she gets up.

Now it is molten.

Gives over to Raymond.

Puts up a three for a great one quarter 24 to 4.

Just like that.

The house is up by 21.

Looks like Raymond wants to be a part of a potential record at this rate.

But just look at the form.

It's perfect and holiday will have to make an adjustment.

Obviously they've gone zone recently and zone sometimes allows for threes a little bit more easy.

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Got.

All day and all of a sudden finds themselves down by 20 as they will try to find the answer to this pressure that Penobscot Valley has thrown up.

Tibbetts kicks it out into the corner.

Backing up is Gibbons just off the side of the room.

There.

Ellie!

Austin, the hands over to Raymond.

Now, when two strong and carry.

It's encouraging to see Gibbons is back in the game.

So, that injury earlier, just looking good right now.

How she's moving.

Also, Graham is back on the floor.

I think coach just recognizes at this point the game could be getting away here.

And even though she has two foul Brooklyn.

Raymond.

Yeah.

The sophomore for the howlers, Alex Cummings, had to travel.

To take a look at Sierra Gibbons.

Bringing it up is Marie Benoit now it is Gibbons.

Had the shot off the front of the rim by Marie Benoit.

And the Bulldogs.

Get the ball back.

Lucy Gray, over to Benoit now and into the corner.

Gibbons shot in for three.

No score was timely.

They really needed that first basket of the quarter.

Gibbons had a lot of time to take a look at that rim and knock it down.

24 seven and Claire control foul against Penobscot Valley College.

Ball number 40.

That is her second personal foul so far Ireland.

That is number two for the.

Little give the ball back to the Bulldogs.

Gibbons puts it down low and off.

And in trying to move there is Tori Tibbetts.

Is leading the way with six points.

And she's found a way to attack the rim.

Get around the defense.

She's been a big time leader as they try to chip away at this deficit.

Brooklyn Raymond took a peek back at Coach Case Raymond Little giving goal was Ellie Austin.

Brooklyn Raymond just making it look easy.

15 points so far this half for Raymond.

And a travel foul.

Tori Tibbetts whistled for the travel.

Some of the fans behind us in a bit of a disagreement on that one.

They are.

And they've been coaching too.

Yes, they know I know this zone.

It looks easy to break, but much harder when you're on the court.

It's good a foul on hold.

L aggressive take out Benoit.

Bring here by Riley.

Sorry.

Brant on the replay.

Just getting her defender on her hip.

In and out for Knowlton company.

Tries.

To make sure.

Makes the next fall.

Shot.

She just had a fabulous regional tournament.

Moulton did mention the record setting nine three pointers in the semifinals.

The Bulldogs trying to work it in the paint outside a block by Moulton, last touched by the howlers.

Is Cummings able to get a hand on it?

Knock it out of bounds Shay Ireland with two fouls.

Jade Graham with two fouls going against each other in the post.

Could be interesting.

Right now Graham really hasn't had many looks that are her looks yet as she finds away a little floater left short by Graham.

Halfway mark here in the second quarter.

I'm Scott Valley with a 27 to 9 lead.

Shot that I think Benoit was able to get a hand on that.

Coach case doesn't look happy with that shot.

But if I had a hot hand like I did about a week ago, I probably let it fly to.

Gibbons and trouble tried to get it to, but not to Tibbetts of how was able to pick it off the feed from Austin up ahead to Moulton.

No good.

Got a little break there.

That's not usually a layup that she misses.

Austin able to deflect the pass and over and back.

I think it was made it.

Who was going to make the call.

It's like slow motion.

So the Bulldogs will have the ball on their end of the court and they throw it into the hands of Bolton.

Bolton changes direction, hands it over to Austin.

Second effort.

No good.

And she'll pass it out front.

Swing it around, Raymond free.

Throw it away.

Great.

Well, friend, we have Raymond with four threes so far this half certainly has a hot hand right now.

She has three here in the second quarter.

VHS remaining in their zone which falls back into that 1313 ball put up by Lucy Gray.

No good follow up by Tibbetts.

She's able to draw the foul.

She'll go to the line to shoot callers follow number two Brooklyn misses the last howlers basket as take a look at the line is good ball movement is key.

That saw the rim.

She Ireland did just a little bit to get her defense looking that way and ash Brooklyn Raymond's making it look easy right now.

Tori Tibbetts on the line for the Bulldogs has one more to go.

She misses that one.

They've been making a lot in the tournament, but so far missed opportunities here for the Bulldogs to try to inch their way closer to this one.

Bolton gets it into Austin for two.

Oh you're Austin I feel Graham might have got lucky there.

They could have called a little bit of a bump.

First field goal for Ellie Austin.

Tibbetts shot from the right side and she Ireland with the rebound.

Yet another foul on Mary Benoit.

It's one of those hustle fouls Benoit ended up on the floor.

Oh no.

And because she was on the floor, tripped the defender and that's her third foul of the game.

So Benoit called, heads to the bench.

Gabby Russell comes back in.

Sierra Gibbons has checked back into the game.

Two trying to take the charge, but I called with the block mostly because she fell to the floor.

Austin with it out on top, they reset.

Raymond works off the screen.

Austin will back it out again.

Minute 35 to play in the first half of this one.

It looked like she thought about the three.

Oh, there's.

Pull it back out.

Might want to get one final shot or one really good shot.

And they have a lot of sets to pull from to keep that ball moving around.

Bolton goes in for the, layup but she was stripped of the ball.

Bulldogs take it the other way.

Going in strong off the glass for two Grand slam.

But we're used to seeing the Bulldogs do get a block or a steal and push it in transition.

So now it's Bolton who back it out now.

Austin changes direction down low to Cummings.

Cummings has it knocked away from behind.

Able to recover Shay Ireland picks up her own three.

No good.

Kick it out now to Austin.

Austin will take the three.

No good.

Bulldogs quickly get the ball down into the corner.

But then we get a travel.

Checking in for the howler.

Number 31, Abby Bachman coming into the game for the, howlers.

Abby Farley, number 31.

And Jessica Condra, number 32.

So UK is going to is bench.

Austin looks to try to get it into Cummins.

Can't find any room there.

Gets it back and she travels.

So another turnover for the owls.

All holiday going to need to look to take a quick shot here.

Only have three about three seconds remaining.

And it's put up and does not go for Tibbetts.

Well that brings the first half of play to a close.

Penobscot Valley leads Calderdale 32 to 11.

We'll step aside and be back in a moment.

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Back here at the Cross Insurance Center, Brant Stevens, along with Julie Sinclair.

Penobscot Valley, where they 21 point lead.

The math I did there took me a moment.

21 point lead, 32 to 11.

Certainly.

Howlers fans liking what they see here in this first half.

Yes, it was an 18 to 7 second quarter.

And Brooklyn Raymond has 18 points.

I mean, that's really the player.

Did I do my math?

Correct actually.

I'm going to have you correct me.

Well, you're faster than I am, so I have to it's going to take me a while to add threes and twos and ones with four threes.

So that's been a difference player obviously for and having this huge lead.

Obviously holiday being in foul trouble has not helped.

The case.

And for the hours you mentioned Brooklyn Raymond.

She's the sophomore of the starters.

She's the youngest of the starters.

And she's out there leading the way right now.

So they have a lot of places they can go to for points.

They do.

They have three players usually that could step it up and play this type of game at any given moment, just a bit.

They're going to be recognizing the Caldwell Bulldogs team from.

I want to say a long time ago because I was in school.

So 1975.

Today we celebrate his 50th anniversary.

He captured the very first school girls basketball football class in the state of Maine to turn things over to the PA and draw your attention to the court as members of the 1975 class.

Teams are introduced in the 1975 Maine State Girls Basketball Championship for class C, Hall Dale High School defeated Canton High School in triple overtime by the score of 64 to 62, to claim the first class C girls basketball state title in Maine history.

Today, we proudly present team members who played in that championship game with a coin commemorative of that historic tournament.

Let's meet the players that are here first from Canton High School, Diantha Robinson.

And Cindy Quigley.

And from the 1975 state championship team from Hallandale High School, Kim Boothby Downing.

Cheryl Tracy.

Jeannie Mullin.

Ross.

And Valerie.

Andrea.

Anson.

Let's give both teams a round of applause louder than they heard 50 years ago today.

Ladies, thank you.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association for being here today and supporting our current student athletes as they play this sport that they love, as well.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and Fame, the Finance Authority of Maine, it's an honor to present sportsmanship banners in basketball.

During the season, each basketball team in Maine was asked to select an opponent they thought was most deserving of receiving a sportsmanship award.

The schools we recognize today with a sportsmanship award have displayed respect of coaches, players and officials, fair play, honesty and integrity, and a true love for the game of basketball.

Making the presentation today on behalf of the Maine Principals Association, our Ron Erickson, retired administrator, Washburn District High School and the Athletic administrator at Hermon High School, Rick Sinclair, and representing the Finance Authority of Maine is Nikki Vachon.

First for the girls class D North recipient, we are pleased to recognize the many men of Stearns High School.

Here today to receive the award is coach Nick Cullen and players Noelle Shearer, Mariah Frost, Emily Rogerson, Molly Anderson, Mallory Burgoyne, Madison Carr, Josie Doyle and Natalie Xn.

Congratulations to the Stearns Minutemen.

I'm a sister on the court at home.

And now we are pleased to recognize.

And boys class B, North, the Golden Bucks of Bucksport High School.

David.

Here today to receive the award, our coaches, Sedge Saunders, Matt McGinnis and Rick Larrabee.

Players Colin McDougal, Trent Goss, Nick Claire, Peyton Gray, Jack Morrison, Eli Bennett, Brady Brody Simpson, Matt Curtis, Dana Stewart, and Alex Tanguay.

Congratulations to the Bucksport Golden Bucks.

Oh, yeah.

Okay.

All right, well, here.

We'd like to thank Fame, the Finance Authority of Maine, for helping us present our sportsmanship awards today.

Did you know there's free money available to help pay for education and training beyond high school?

Fill the fast for now.

To maximize your aid, get free help from fame at Fame maine.com/fafsa.

All right.

Congratulations to all of the, winners.

And right now, we'll take a quick look at some of the numbers from the first half of this championship game.

National guard, this is where sometimes you can see the disparity of where the edge is.

Right now, Hall Dale is shooting four for 18, 22% compared to VHS.

He's seven for 16 at 44%.

The other thing is the free throw line.

Not a huge difference.

Ball bales only got there three times.

They're zero for three and Penobscot Valley is six for eight for 75%.

The other category obviously Brant Hall deal has 12 turnovers to Penobscot Valley who only has five.

So that's where we probably are seeing the 21 point difference in that field.

Goal percentage tells only part of the story too, because a lot of those field goals for Penobscot Valley are three pointers.

So they're capitalizing on their opportunities from the floor.

They are they're shooting impressively.

And again, that is led by Raymond number two with 18 points.

All right.

Now we'll turn things over to Jim Baynes with some special guest Jim I'll tell you what I'll tell you what Brant.

You know this has been an exciting tournament right here.

Not only because the state championship, this is the 50th anniversary of the first girls state championship for all four classes.

I've got the class C state championship teams with me right here with the Titan Cougars and the Hotel Bulldogs watching their Bulldogs play today, we'll start with the Katahdin first year.

Remember your names, please.

Diantha Robinson, Cindy Grayling, Diana.

Sandy, tell us about that game I just read.

It was a 64 to 62, oh 6462 triple overtime game.

That must have been massive.

Had to go through all that.

It was.

It was it was very exciting and disappointing at the end.

Very good.

Can you can you walk us through your biggest memory about that game or even having girls basketball, having a state tournament?

That year, that must have been exciting.

It was a big deal for our first tournament that night.

I talked to the East Grand Girls, earlier today, and they said that, you know, having a tournament was not even on their radar.

No one expected it.

What is it?

A feeling of when you finally had a state tournament?

Oh, bout time or when you didn't see this coming?

Yeah.

Either way.

Yeah.

Either way.

Very good.

Okay.

Very good.

Yeah.

And the 75 champion Caldwell Bulldogs.

Introduce yourselves.

Ladies.

Kim Boothby Downing.

Jeannie Mullin.

Ross, Cheryl Tracy, Valerie Andresen.

All right.

Which one of you has a granddaughter on the team?

This tonight?

Yeah.

Jade Graham, number 31.

All.

Dale.

Yeah.

We're hoping for, like, a 50 year, like, rematch here.

And then with an actual rematch with them.

How do you think that would go?

No rematch of a win record.

But I tell you what I mean.

You must have seen it since you played the state championship.

Girls basketball just evolve and evolve and get better and better over the years.

Are you amazed by what it's become and right, it is absolutely wonderful.

It's a lot faster, which was a shot clock here in Maine, but, just just better skills that the girl it's it's great to watch right now since you have family, you're playing there.

I mean, you must compare a lot of notes, I would think, well, back to when I played basketball, that kind of thing.

Well.

Oh, well, we, it's very different.

It's not even the same game, actually, because it's so physical.

And the three points and these girls, they're so athletic now.

I mean, they play live and breathe athletics, so it's fun to watch them just put it all on the court.

You know, I talked to some, teams, from 50 years ago earlier today, earlier this afternoon.

And the surprising thing to tell me is when they first got a tournament, no one was expecting it.

For the girls, it was never a thing they even think was possible.

Is that did you feel the same way when you finally got a tournament, or did some of you think, oh, it's about time the girls got one?

About time that we we were we're seniors.

And we had waited every year waiting, waiting, waiting.

So that senior year when we got the word, we were pretty excited.

So this is something that was talked about a lot in the 70s, right.

For sure.

Yeah.

Right.

We're we are counting on it.

Right.

To the States.

We just had conference championships and that was the end of the season.

So we felt very fortunate to be 75 and be the first year.

All right.

One more quick question there.

So what was it like to get a triple overtime game to win a championship?

Any memories on that?

Oh, memories.

Oh yeah.

We five.

Yeah.

We would just really wish there had been a tape or a radio.

There's no video footage of it at all.

No, that's a shame.

That's where I'm looking.

All right, guys, well, thank you for joining.

It's it's great that we can honor you tonight here okay.

Thanks for joining us tonight.

Right back to you.

All right.

Thank you very much, Jim.

How cool was that, though?

50 years ago.

We're going to take a timeout.

We'll be back with the second half of play right after this.

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Welcome back to Maine Public Television's coverage of the Girls Class C state championship game, Penobscot County holding a 3211 lead at this point.

Julie, you're your coach.

Wrong.

What do you say to your team at this point?

You're down 21.

How do you how do you keep them motivated and get them back into this?

I noticed when they came out they huddled on the court and they had smiles.

We have a bunch of seniors on the court right now that are not going to back down.

They're not going to play tonight.

They realize this is the last game for their career.

So, this is one way to start by hitting the three.

And I think they're doing that by having fun and letting loose.

Lucy Gray connects with the three to open up the scoring here in the second half 3214.

Now the score.

Cummings with it for Penobscot Valley.

Stops will be important.

There was a three put up by Riley Moulton.

That elevator screen again for a shooter coming up.

And this time it was for Moulton.

She was able to knock it down.

No luck there for the Bulldogs.

That is Moulton first three.

There is another three.

This one up and in by Sierra Gibbons.

Second three of the game.

That's something that's going to make a difference.

They just had a lid on the hoop a bit that first half.

And to come out and hit two big threes I don't know.

We might see the tides change a little bit.

UST has to be a real confidence booster to to come out of the locker room and hit your first couple of threes.

Definitely.

Ellie Austin goes in off the left side.

Caldwell the rebound.

Gibbons.

And she is going to be fouled by Brooklyn Raymond Raymond picks up her third foul.

Love the aggressiveness by Gibbons.

But the last basket before we get there.

You could see the three is now open for lefty shooter Sierra Gibbons who is behind the outer three point arc I think that happens often here on this court.

Gibbons breaks it down to Bray.

Now the shot put up around the rim and out guys.

Them.

Second effort by holiday a no go.

Only about five seven Tibbetts but plays much bigger than.

3519.

Walton hits Ireland cutting down the lane.

Irion gets her own rebound.

Austin will draw the contact.

She'll go to the line to shoot two.

It's always difficult when you follow the jump.

Shooter never found her, but right now, holiday is certainly coming out with a different level of confidence and intensity.

I think at halftime you realize, okay, now we know what we're up against.

It's time to make adjustments.

Right now, I notice adjustments more in the body language and just attitude.

Foul was called on Lucy Gray.

That is just her first Austin.

Second foul shot is up in in.

So she is four for four from the line tonight.

Ball stolen away by Cummings.

Love it down low to Austin Austin tries to find room underneath it.

It's taken away by Holliday.

Tibbetts gives it off now to Gibbons.

Benoit now.

Right side.

It goes.

And up and in.

Now.

Jade Grande getting hot.

Two baskets to start the game.

And she is a key player who's usually scoring 15 points or so.

Double figures.

So starting to heat up.

We've got a foul called as both players were scrambling for the ball.

We see on the replay, Bram is comfortable on the block.

She takes her time, reads her defense, fakes one way, goes the other.

Gibbons picked up the foul and now we've got to control foul.

Leave.

That's going to go on the three run the whole time Bolton.

Just her first there on those moving screens.

That was a back screen set.

And knocked away a momentarily Bulldogs able to recover.

Now it's stolen away Austin Moon tracked down by Tibbetts.

Austin didn't get the shot to go.

Long pass over right side out as Gibbons.

Three.

Around and out.

It looked like it was in.

The other end.

It is missed by Raymond.

One of the rare misses for her.

This game did indeed have 18 points in that first half.

Off the glass.

Called for two.

Bram quickly.

Six points on the quarter, eight on the game.

They're giving the ball to the right person and she's ready to go.

12 to 5 Bulldogs outscoring the howlers here in the third quarter of play.

They cut the lead down to 1437 23.

That's certainly come up Scott Valley wants to take a timeout.

That's certainly one thing that you want to make sure that your players understand is you're down 21 at the half.

You can't get them all back at once.

You just got to chip away and chip away.

Exactly.

And one of the chipping away pieces is certainly hitting shots.

We could see here.

One of those players being aggressive looking to get to the rim is Jade Graham.

She's a post player but could score in multiple ways.

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Sierra Gibbons again with a deflection.

She's done a good job setting the tone.

Just getting those deflections.

Austin gets the shot to roll.

And she will go to the line to try to make it three.

I don't know if we'll see the play fully, but it was off from, cuts here to the opposite side.

Kind of got the first step on the defender.

A little bit of body called the foul.

Lucy Gray picks up her second foul on that play.

And Austin again successful from the foul line.

She was five for five from the line.

This comes as news to nobody.

Pressure by the howlers tonight.

Tries to get it down to Tibbetts.

Does so shot no good.

Rebound.

Cummings came up with it and Caldwell will be whistled for the foul.

And Laura Tibbetts was high open.

That layup would go in and sometimes you're a little more aggressive.

After a mess.

Tibbetts picks up her second foul.

Plus a girls final.

Cheverus going down to South Portland 5448.

South Portland.

The champs.

Here, put up stuff.

Allie has the shot blocked away.

Raymond.

What up for it Caldwell comes away with the ball brings it down the other end.

Bram looking for Hammond into the lane.

Switch it over to Tibbetts.

A foul will be called against the holidays.

Credit to Tibbetts.

They're being aggressive, getting to the rim.

She is the one who drew that foul.

It was her first.

And really, if you could end this quarter getting close to if not within ten, it really does change things.

All day and moves the ball around to the right side.

Shot no good by gray.

Gray gets the ball back gets it inside to Grant Graham off the glass.

No title for underneath.

Last touch by the howlers.

It'll be holding basketball.

Hustle plays there in Holiday's favorite now offensive rebounds Ram Stan with the play.

Minutes and 31 seconds to play here in the third quarter.

Nice touch by the howlers as the ball goes out of bounds.

Right in front of the Bulldog bench.

Now the pass intended down low picked off by the howlers.

And they promptly turn it back over.

Spinning her way in.

No, I know I can't get it to go.

Hollers up with the rebound.

Cummings with it.

Cummings hits it up ahead.

Raymond into the corner.

Bolton is stopped there.

It's by Graham.

Able to get a hand on that.

Great outside defense by Graham stepping up to keep the offense from penetrating.

Oh was all over the ball.

Well this turned over.

Cummings leaves it up ahead for Moulton and lays it in for two.

Oh they're all over and it's exhausting.

You can see the fatigue on Holiday's side.

It's just mentally and physically.

You can't turn off.

Break to press the can and get it across midcourt.

But even then, you are constantly being barraged by howling defenders.

Shot by Benoit is off the mark.

4223 lead pushed back up to 19.

Howlers have led by as many as 21 Bulldogs cut into that lead here in the third quarter, but Penobscot Valley is able to been able to stretch it back out a bit.

Pass goes down underneath to Shay Ireland.

She is fouled underneath.

But a nice look for Kelly Austin.

It was it was from the ball.

Screen action play.

Both defenders stayed with the ball.

A great pass by Ellie Austin to find her teammate for an open look.

Gibbons the foul on the line to shoot.

Is she Ireland and she this is Ireland does not have a point in this contest yet in my opinion.

Talk about how fatiguing the pressure is.

How good a shape do you have to be to do that the entire game?

Good point.

Bulldogs!

Get it down into the corner to Hammonds.

Kicked out of bounds by Bolton.

And it gets settled into this half court in the extended 131.

It really comes down to the spacing.

And typically that's like A414 look.

But Nebraska's just been able to get into the passing lanes.

Ireland and Raymond go to the bench for the howlers.

And in the lane is Graham.

She has eight points here in the third quarter.

Ten in the game.

It's impressive.

She this is her game.

She's leading in the ways that we are used to seeing.

Inside it goes to Cummings.

Gets her own rebound kicks it out.

Shot is around and out by Farley.

Time running out the toss at the end of the quarter.

And that'll wrap it up 4225.

As we take a look at some of the action heading into break.

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Fourth quarter of play about to get underway here in the girls class C state championship game one up Scott Poly howlers in the Holiday Ale.

Bulldogs.

The howlers with the ball and the lead 4225.

Bulldogs able to chip away a little bit.

There's a 21 point lead that the howlers had at the half.

Outscored the howlers 14 to tangible quick.

With the ball, Moulton on her Benoit.

And it's Austin.

With it's taken away Gibbons comes up with the ball.

Gibbons pushes it up.

They started the half with two threes.

And now to start this quarter you're able to get luck in transition.

They can cut this within ten.

I'd say at least halfway through the quarter it could change things right.

They will have to make every possession count.

Take a look at the last basket for the Bulldogs.

This is a familiar territory for Gibbons.

She's doing a great job getting a hand on the ball, deflections, steals.

And she's a great driver.

Good to see her in this game.

And playing was certainly a scare.

Earlier in the game there was a three ball for an up and in by James Brown.

She hasn't had a lot of opportunities to show that she can hit the open three.

And it's a 12 point ballgame.

All of a sudden Alex Raymond the three ball herself from the corner looking for three.

Out.

That is the fifth three pointer by Brooklyn Raymond.

Two threes.

First one started by Graham.

And then on the other end Peavy had an answer word quarter.

And as you just mentioned that is her fifth three of the game.

Thanks Valley.

Yeah but I'm scared unofficially of course because I, I taking on that responsibility.

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Yes, I have it out for five three pointers.

15 point lead.

The Bulldogs trail by 15.

They have the ball.

Graham.

Gets it into Tibbetts.

Gibbons.

Rubber.

Gibbons will inbound along the sideline.

Comes in to Benoit.

And still out of bounds.

Touched by the howlers.

So the Bulldogs maintain control.

Benoit receives the pass.

Gibbons down.

It goes to Graham.

They work it back out into the corner.

Long three pointer was short.

You're getting better.

Looks as half.

It's just not all of them are going in with this type of lead that PVH has.

Almost everything has to go in.

Austin has it knocked out of her hands.

Benoit pushes it up and she is fouled.

Hopefully she's okay.

She's a little bit awkward and slipped.

Teammates are there to help her up.

I was going to say first of all they're tough.

Second foul on Moulton and on the line is to shoot is Benoit.

Oh there's going to be a lot of ice packs at the end of this game for both teams.

Benoit her first point of the game.

Her looks have not come easy.

Usually, always.

She's trying to slither her way in which she's really good with a step through attacks to the basket.

There's just always been someone on her hip.

Get set for her second foul shot.

No good.

Rebound to the howlers.

Had it goes to Moulton.

Bolton drives in strong and she is fouled by Gibbons.

Now Gibbons got her with the body first before the block.

Oh our defense.

Gibbons picks up foul.

Number 315 foul on the line is Moulton.

Riley Moulton second foul shot is up in the air, so she makes both ends.

Tibbetts with the ball for the Bulldogs.

Lead back up to 16.

Now for the howlers.

Tibbetts in the lane.

Lays it in for two.

Good decision by Tibbetts not to put the ball on the floor and go straight up with it.

Now Austin ahead of the pack.

She just lays it in for two.

Foster.

Howlers get the ball back.

Another turnover for the Bulldogs.

Five minutes to go in this one.

Austin will take it back out.

Howlers can afford to be patient.

They have a lot of sets that they can run just to take some time off the clock, but also look for a high percentage shot.

Ellie Austin drives in very tied up momentarily, but it's kind of in an awkward position.

Couldn't get that ball here to to take the shot.

Now other turnovers for Hall down something they can really ill afford at this point.

Exactly.

Coach she's going to call a timeout just to talk about it.

Skip the team for a breather as they're feeling it right now.

Look at Coach Case and the howlers.

They lead this one by 16 with 424 to play.

The other end the hold L Bulldogs looking for yet another state championship.

They have four to their credit.

The name of the game right now is we're watching is Paul Dale has 17 turnovers.

And typically in a game competitive game ten maybe 11 turnovers total is a lot.

But 17 allowing more opportunities.

But I say that loosely.

It's easier said than done to break that.

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Jay Richardson 17 turnovers and there's still 424 to play in.

This.

They have committed a lot of turnovers so far.

They have.

And slashes their chance.

It looks at the hoop obviously and open to cut away at this deficit.

Maybe get within ten with four minutes.

But tall tale Raymond with the ball.

Gets it over down to Bolton.

She'll bring it back around out on top.

Ellie Austin is out of the game now.

It is Bibbins like she to tie it up.

Cummings.

But you have a foul being called.

It's got to go on.

Gibbons that is for fourth for a personal foul.

As in that certainly hurts because as we said earlier, neither team can really afford foul trouble.

But also they're going to have to be aggressive to try to force a turnover.

They get a turnover here as Gibbons comes up with the ball on the inbounds pass, Gibbons whistled for the travel.

Oh I thought that was your traditional Euro right there.

Yeah I don't know.

Austin into the game for the howlers.

Brings it up.

Works against gray.

Gray able to get a hand on it.

Ripping it out of the air is raining so closest, some jump balls.

To.

It's on Austin now it's Moulton kicks it into the corner Raymond three off the back of the rim.

Long pass up ahead.

Nicely done to Benoit off the glass.

Too strong.

No a foul is going to be called on Benoit.

Benoit couldn't quite find the right angle coming into that layup.

But I liked how they stayed with the ball.

They're working hard to get some traps, maybe some jump balls and have got a couple steals.

Was foul on Benoit.

Baseball pass up ahead to Ellie Austin.

He lays it in for two.

He just simply at least two defenders got a heads up play because you know those two teammates made eyes in that moment to go for that long court pass.

Now Austin able to bat away the pass into the hands of Gibbons.

Gibbons drives into the lane.

Strong gets the shot to go.

And she'll go to the line.

Kind of competitor.

So crafty with the ball pushing it up ahead.

We've seen this multiple times.

This game going left side got bumped is able to keep her eyes on the rim Ireland picks up the foul.

That is.

Her fourth.

Gibbons makes the Tulsa.

51 3516 point lead 251 to play here in the fourth quarter.

In fourth quarter Austin with it.

The foul is going to go against Lucy Gray.

Called up foul.

Number 20 Lucy Gray.

That's right.

One of the things I always enjoy watching Coach Case.

As a side note I wonder how many steps he gets the game, how many calories he burns.

Sometimes he's setting the tone on defense, getting in stance.

Lucy Gray picked up the foul on, but last call and obviously Valley tries to walk it in.

Gibbons again comes up with it.

Passes it up to Graham.

Graham the left hander off the glass and.

14 points.

And a carry.

So the ball goes back to the Bulldogs chipping away.

Two minutes left.

Never know if they hit a three here.

We're close to within ten on coach case says let's start this off.

Take a look at the last basket.

This is the bread and butter for the Bulldogs.

Love to get out in transition.

Any player is comfortable with that type of layup.

So the Bulldogs have reduced it to 14.

The lead to 14 points.

I'm of course not working for them at this point.

It is.

But such a different story this second half now.

And I think if they could go back and hit the reset button, I have noticed just a difference in their aggression, their mentality, their leadership.

What really hurt them earlier in the game obviously was in foul trouble.

I just ran into a different adversity and what they're used to.

So the Bulldogs have made their way out of the timeout.

Howlers are still talking things over and coming up here.

It's a cross insurance header after this one.

It's good.

Not enough.

Quick Academy will be taking on Mount Abraham in the boys state class C state championship.

Lobbed into the lane to Graham.

Graham shot partially blocked.

Pushing it up is molten.

And there's the corner.

They'll take the three missed by molten on the floor.

Nice hustle there by Tori Tibbetts to get to the ball.

Gotta love the hustle.

And she's working hard for that tip ball.

Now there's some discussion as to whether or not that ball tipped.

Like any coach dreams about having a player like Tibbetts, just a competitiveness.

Anywhere that loose ball is, you're going to find her.

There.

Ball comes in to Cummings from Ireland.

Cummings has the ball taken away.

Givens point.

She is a competitive.

Another steal.

Wow.

I've got Valley a minute and a half away from their first ever gold ball.

Austin pulls up, hits the jumper.

Great jumper.

And that jumper will be going straight to Husson next year.

Cassie Walker's probably happy to be picking up that talent.

Tibbetts with it for the Bulldogs.

As we approach the one minute mark, Benoit leaves it short and it's Penobscot Valley basketball one minute to play howlers on top, 5337.

In the followers.

Fans getting on their feet on the far side here to cross Insurance Center.

Now a foul called on Tibbetts.

These are the moments where I wait to see when will the team start to crack a smile.

I haven't seen it yet, but it's coming.

That's really a credit to the leadership of Coach Nate Case.

I know he teaches his teams to play the last second.

Austin on the line to shoot.

She misses the first.

It's her first miss from the foul line today.

Now five from six.

Make it five seven.

Gibbons brings it up.

The foul.

Our phone number three Riley Riley Moulton picks up a third foul.

So the Bulldogs will inbound the ball just over 30s.

Graham puts up the shot.

No good.

Still scrapping for on the floor.

Nice.

Goes down to Benoit.

Benoit drives into the lane.

No howlers come up with the rebound there.

The foul will be called on.

Jake Graham.

Had her cell phone back for the second half.

She really did.

She's had a career conference player of the year, tournament player of the year, a lot of accolades that way, and I'm starting to see the smiles crack a bit on the PV side.

Players are recognizing what's about ready to happen coming on the line.

Yes, it gets the bounce.

And the second one is up and in.

Closing seconds of this one Austin with the steal and she is fouled by Gibbons.

Gibbons will be fouling out of this one.

Coming up on number 15 Sierra moon intended for a personal foul.

That'll send Ellie Austin to the line.

She'll shoot two 10.9 seconds away from a goal ball for the howlers.

He makes her first and really well from the free throw line as a team today.

I have my stats are definitely off right now, so I'm going.

I'm leaning on you 100%.

That's a that's a dangerous thing to do.

Baseball pass up ahead.

The final seconds.

And for the first time in history, the Penobscot Valley howlers have a goal ball rolling their way up I-95.

Make room in the trophy case.

What a game.

What a team.

Big, big time.

Congratulations to the PBA.

And also congratulations to Hall Dale.

Incredible season.

A lot of great players on that end.

Coach row is probably proud of her team.

They had a tall task today.

Undefeated 22 and zero.

And it's not.

A lot of teams can say that when they win a state championship.

So the howlers finish off the season with an unblemished record.

22.

And oh Paul Dale finishes up at 18 and four for the second straight year.

Denied here at the state championship game.

And there's one senior Ellie Austin, who's in the starting lineup one who comes off the bench for PV, Jessica Condra.

So I'd say that they're going to continue to be competitive moving forward.

Talking with Coach Nate Case prior to the game, just trying to learn a little bit about their mentality this year.

He mentioned how you don't just have the mentality of wanting to be the best in class C, they want to be recognized statewide, so they'll spend time preseason and after the season competing against caribou, Lawrence, and they can compete against other classes.

That tougher competition certainly makes you better as a team.

It does just those.

Players making their way up the ladders, getting ready to take down the nets.

Looks like they're not sure what to do here.

They haven't done this before.

One looking at the other.

Getting ready to swing the nets around.

There's Riley Moulton on one end.

Well, conjure up on the other.

Talk about Riley Moulton.

Leading scorer.

She had a hot, hot hand tonight.

Beau Solomon goes up on one.

And also there's Jessica Condra.

Farley was swinging around before.

So it's, interesting to see that there.

Having some of the players that didn't necessarily see a whole lot of time in the game.

And how Brooklyn Raymond goes up.

As does Charlotte Brock.

You so each taking a turn at, swinging the nets Layla Cummings getting ready to take her turn.

So the Penobscot Valley Haulers have been to the state championship game a couple of times in the past 1886.

As we mentioned, they lost a hall.

Dale by a score of 70 to 57.

The most recent trip was in 2019, and they lost to Boothbay by a score of 3325.

I can't.

Now it is Shay Harland and Ellie Austin, and I think that.

She Ireland says, no, I'm I'm good going up this high.

I don't really want to go any higher than that on the ladder.

Two seniors, starters who, I like we mentioned before the game, they've been knocking at trying just to get into the state game and they're here and didn't look like they had any lack of experience.

Also helps obviously, to play on this court.

They're comfortable with.

But, and they're they're calculation for success.

What they do is hard to try and beat.

All right.

Believe we are going to turn things over now to PA announcer.

Rich as he and go to the awards.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and where Butler Building Supply, a division of pleasant River lumber.

Congratulations to both teams on their accepting, you know, 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 will last a lifetime.

As you think back to your tournament experience with your teammates, coaches, families and friends, may you take with you a pride in your efforts on the court.

You have represented yourselves, your communities, and your schools extremely well.

For the seniors on both teams.

Thank you.

Thank you for all your leadership throughout your high school basketball careers.

We wish you the best in your future endeavors to present the awards representing the Maine Principals Association, our athletic administrator at Hermon High School, Rick Sinclair, and athletic administrator at Van Buren High School, Matt Rossignol, and representing where Butler Building Supply is senior buyer.

Matt Gorman.

To begin the awards, we ask Paul Dale, head coach Lori Rowe and assistant coaches Kristen Garnett and Olivia Burke to please come forward to assist with the presentation.

Freshmen.

Genevieve.

Chica.

Ellie.

Sophia.

Mirch.

Gabby.

Russell.

Adriana.

Badger.

Sophomores.

Isabelle.

Pinkham.

Maya.

Hammonds.

Alexis.

Bickford.

Junior.

Sierra.

Gibbons.

A senior captain Tori Tibbetts.

Senior captain Lucy Gray.

Senior captain Marie Benoit.

And senior captain Jade Graham.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and the Butler Building Supply, it is our pleasure to present the runner up plaque.

To the hall.

Dale Bulldogs!

Congratulations, Hall.

Dale.

To the Hall!

Bell fans, there is a reception to greet the team right here in the Cross Insurance Center ballroom six again.

Fans are invited to greet the team in Ball room six.

And now to present the awards to the 2025 Maine Class C State Basketball Champions with Penobscot Valley head coach Nate Case, along with assistants Mike Austin, Alex Hooley and Jonathan Hallett.

Please step forward.

The manager's eighth grader, Lily Hallett.

And eighth grader Paxton King.

Sophomore managers Emily Mailman.

And Emma Coyle.

The players.

Freshman Charlotte Breaux.

Shoe.

Nicole Solomon.

Sophomores.

Abby Farley.

Brooklyn.

Raymond.

Junior and captain.

Riley Moulton.

Captain Lyla Cummings.

The seniors Jessica Condra.

Captain Shea Ireland.

And captain Ellie Austin.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and where Butler Building Supply, it is our pleasure to present the championship goalball trophy for the 2025 class C Championship to Penobscot Valley High School.

Congratulations to the howlers.

All right.

Congratulations to the.

How was.

Lots of smiles there.

We're going to take a break and be back in just a moment.

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The environment is just awesome.

Great campus, small close knit community.

Everyone's very welcoming.

Everything feels very personal for us.

Feel like you belong here.

The newly crowned class C girls state champs, the Penobscot Valley Howlers.

You can see their photos taken out on the court here at the Cross Insurance Center.

So congratulations to the howlers for their first ever Gold Ball going to Howland.

Community is very happy who came, and I'm sure there's plenty others tuning in to a proud moment, not just for the team, but who they represent.

Looking at some of the scoring numbers.

And again, I stress these are highly unofficial.

But Brooklyn Raymond had 18 points in the first half, ended up with 21 in the game 17 points for Ellie Austin, 13 points for Riley Moulton and six points on the board for Lila Cummings for a total of 57.

And for the Bulldogs Jay Graham.

Boy, what a second half she had.

She had 15 points overall, 13 of those in the second half, ten points for Sierra Gibbons and Sierra.

We thought maybe out of the game early on and it looked like she had wrenched her knee, but was able to come back.

Eight points for Tori Tibbetts, three points for Lucy Gray and one for Maria Benoit.

The math adds up correctly.

That's 37.

But I warn you, I English teacher competition.

I have much better math than I do.

Either way, it adds up to quite a bit of points.

Enough to win by 20.

To bring home the Gold Ball for the first time.

Right now we are going to turn things over to Jim Baynes Jim.

Yep yep okay.

Very good.

You see I good very good.

Thank you ladies congratulations our state champs us.

Good for you.

Let's talk to Shay here first.

Here I mean well let's get the seniors all three seniors up here first.

Yeah I just want to just get your overall impressions here.

You did it in your senior year.

Just like a dream.

Is it everything you thought it would be?

And so much more.

It's so exciting, Jessica.

I mean, what can you add to that?

I mean, this is exactly what you were wanting right here.

Kindergarten.

Me would never think I'd be standing here with a gold ball.

And my whole team, so it's pretty great.

I love it, but season progressed.

You've thought this is possible?

This is something you could pull off here, am I right?

Yes.

You know, we put in so much work and it's finally paying off.

You know, it's just great to have the success with our team.

It looked like your typical howlers game to start with.

You had a 22 or 21 point lead at halftime.

You just feel real comfortable out there.

Did it feel any sort of a state championship jitters there?

Definitely had a little bit of the jitters in the beginning.

But, you know, from our offense, we gained confidence.

And I think that kind of helped us.

I think coach told you to be prepared for the Bulldogs today, that, work today.

We just had to keep running.

As long as we had high team intensity, like where we're one energy's up.

I mean, that's all we could really do.

So stay together.

So basically, Coach Casey just said, just play your game and don't worry about it.

Is that a fair statement?

Pretty much.

Very good.

Here.

Let's get Brooklyn in here for a second.

Here.

How many how many threes in Brooklyn have today?

Any guess?

At least four.

She had five.

That ties the record.

All right.

Not bad here.

All right.

Now the fact been.

Well the fact that you played the regionals here I'm sure added that your comfort level here with shooting.

Right.

Yes, absolutely.

Getting used to the two lines like the first three games.

Honestly settling into that was tough for all of us.

But it was it was good to come back and get another shot.

All right.

Tell us about the senior leadership here.

That, helped you get to this place.

I'm really sad they're leaving.

I was sad it's not going to feel the same when we come back for summer basketball.

Ellie.

Or three year captains, four year starter.

She's.

We call her our mama bear.

She our security blanket.

She does so much for us.

And just.

It just is such a hard worker.

And just like being able to ever challenge us in practice is awesome.

Quick show of hands.

How many of you were on the soccer team this year?

Nearly all of you see these.

For those who don't know, these ladies won a state championship in soccer this past year.

I'm under strict orders from Coach Ross not to ask you what sport you prefer, so.

All right, that's very good.

Well, okay, you're gonna have to address, to Jeremy later.

I'm sorry, coach case.

Come on in here for a second.

Here.

Somewhere along the line.

You thought this was possible?

I'm sure to, run the table when I come on the gold ball.

Yeah, we had a great summer.

I think we played 18 games this summer, against a lot of, top opponents in the state.

They they then saw that if they put in the work, we're going to be in a great place for our season.

So it's really like summer, pre-season.

It's a testament to our competition.

We embraced competition, all around the state, and we were able to, and apply it in season.

And, of course, we knew we knew we weren't going for perfect.

We weren't going for undefeated.

We were just showing up to work every day.

And, the girls really bought into that and and a testament to their work.

They, I mean, we did two hours this morning like we did two hours this morning.

So that that just tells you how awesome those girls are and to say you did it all around the state.

You went to Bangor, you went to care, but you went to much bigger schools.

And they fared really well.

Yes.

Yeah.

We, went all over the state and they can play with anyone.

That was kind of our our thing all year.

Don't just be the best in our class.

Let's try to be the best in the state.

And, so and they embraced the work.

Right.

And that's how we kept them motivated all year.

So, bunch of great kids.

So.

All right.

Very good.

As you.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Congratulations to you, ladies.

This is your moment.

Tell the camera what it's like to be state.

Yeah.

I'm.

It's the first time everybody froze up.

That's great.

Yeah.

I'm not sure they had anything left to us to celebrate with.

I think my favorite comment of all was Jessica Condra saying kindergarten.

Me?

Never thought I'd be standing here with a goal ball.

And it's just it's unbelievable.

So, you know, it's something these kids have been thinking about since they can remember.

It can.

And they just knocking on the door.

And the dream has come true.

Congratulations to them.

Pleasant River leadership has provided Quality Maine a wonderful team delivering to Mainers.

So Julie, thank you very much for your work here tonight.

That's why I appreciate your expertise and insight into the game.

Pleasure working with you for more.

Coming up next, we've got Coach Ken Lynn Laugh and, Toby Nelson to bring you matter now.

Cooke Academy and of Mount Abraham in the boys class C state championship I'm Brian Stevens.

Thank you for joining us.

We got more basketball here on the stations of Maine Public Television.