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Well, good afternoon, everybody.

And it's just like Christmas Day.

If you're a Maine high school basketball fan, it's state championship Saturday and the stations of Maine Public Television.

And we're glad to have you along for the ride from the Cross Insurance Center.

I'm Toby Nelson, joined by Julie Sinclair on the broadcast.

And Julie, class D basketball starts things off this afternoon.

A team from the North and a team from the west with the Central Aroostook Panthers and the Valley High Cavaliers.

I think both teams are ready to go.

One who is familiar has been in this spot year before, and Valley and a team who's a little bit younger but excited to be here as well.

Central Aroostook, a very young team, a lot of eighth graders on their squad and they mix in a few upperclassmen, and they had a great run through the Northern Maine tournament, knocking off Schanke to get here into the championship game.

The Valley High Cavaliers.

Julie, you mentioned the Valley coming in here unbeaten.

They put up a lot of points as the season has gone on.

They share the ball extremely well.

They're led by a tenacious senior.

And they have just good leadership.

But I think both teams are ready to play.

And communities are excited to be here.

Well we're excited to be along for the ride here for state championship basketball.

The third member of our broadcast crew is Jim Maynes, and he's standing by with Valley High head coach Gordon Hartwell, Jim.

All right, coach out.

While the goal was to get to Bangor.

You're here now.

I'm sure Bingham is probably empty right now with looking at the crowd over there.

Well, we hope so.

And it's, a big challenge to come in here, and, I think the girls are ready.

We've been working all year for this from last year.

And, again, we got a great opponent.

Well, coach, hard working group of girls.

But I'd like to think that, we're ready for checking your scores.

And the regionals.

You were rolling over the competition for certain, but, probably not going to be as easy today.

No, never as in these games.

It's not like, you know, you're going to.

You're not going to win by 50 or you hope you do.

But I mean, chances are you're not going to.

So you just got to be ready for a grind and pull it out at the end.

All right.

Good luck today.

Thank you very much.

All right, Toby, back to you.

All right, Jim, thanks very much.

As Coach Hartwell mentioned there, they only they win a lot of games by a lot of points.

Didn't expect to win it by 50 today.

But they to put out that big number.

This team comes as advertised.

Feel like they've had a dominant season.

Obviously they're undefeated but they're averaging about 74 points a game and only holding teams to about 28 points a game.

So it's an impressive, season to get here.

You mentioned they got here last year playing a great game of, Southern Aroostook.

Of course, southern Aroostook has dominated class D over the last six years.

They had won five of the last six gold balls before losing in the quarterfinal round.

This year, central Aroostook takes their place.

Panthers come in here with a 19 and two record and a team that they play a five kids really predominantly.

When you look at the minutes that they put up on the scoreboard, but this team has gotten it done as the tournament's gone along.

They have.

They've played close games leading in.

And what's been impressive in the fourth quarter, I've called them the Comeback Kids.

They didn't really run out of gas, but yet they turned it on and forced steals and made the big difference.

Well, Central Aroostook, we've heard from the Valley side.

Central Aroostook head coach is Dotcom Cody Tompkins.

And he's standing by with Jim Baynes right now.

All right, Cody, I'll tell you.

Marshall has seen plenty of basketball success over the years.

And, you know, it's up to today and I'm sure they're real proud today.

Yeah.

You know, the community is really, really happy.

I think they're excited.

And so our girls, we're, we're really fortunate to be at the sports season and hoping to bring a gold ball back to Marshall tonight.

All right.

Yeah, I'm sure your, your Panthers have seen the scores the Valley's been putting up over the years.

What's the biggest concern going into today?

Yeah, I think one of the things is obviously they're very, very dangerous on offense.

They can shoot threes.

I think they do a very good job in transition.

We've just got to try to slow the tempo down and get it to a point where we can be successful.

All right coach good luck today.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

All right.

Back to you.

We've heard from both sides of the Ledger Valley and Central Aroostook.

Julie, we need to know how these teams got here.

The road to the gold.

All right.

We have Valley Cavaliers coming in.

Ranked in the South.

Number one.

They defeated Saint Dom's 74 to 47 in the final.

They are undefeated 21 and zero going up against Central Aroostook Panthers who are ranked number two coming in in the north, but was able to pull off some upper seeds.

Their win in the final was 43 to 40 over Schanke.

They are coming in 19 and two.

And I think the biggest difference, Toby, is the differentiation in the points per game.

Valley is averaging about 74 points a game and Central Aroostook is averaging about 50.

Both are holding teams to low, but that difference might be a difference maker in this game.

Yeah go ahead.

Central Aroostook.

Also the last time they won a gold ball is 2020.

And Valley is looking for their first one.

Yeah.

Central to Ristic won it.

When they were in class C that year they knocked off holiday Augusta Civic Center.

And you mentioned 2020 right before, that the Covid pandemic knocked a bunch of stuff out.

They won that in February of that year.

And Valley looking for their first ever goalball.

So it's, you know, you contrast in styles what we see on the court.

And then, of course, when you look at the schools, Central Aroostook has had a great success, the state championships being there.

Valley just looking for their first one.

They are and they're comfortable.

They might be hungry for it, but we can't discount Central Aroostook for what's allowed them to get to where they are right now.

Looking forward to a great basketball game here this afternoon as we kick things off.

Following this one more class D basketball on the stations of Maine Public Television, it's the Wolverines taking on Saint Dom's the Saints that'll get under way about 245 this afternoon.

It's on air or online or on YouTube.

Facebook?

There's not many places you can't find.

Saint change state championship basketball this weekend from the Cross Insurance Center.

Also the Cross insurance arena down in Portland.

We've got you covered from wire to wire all weekend long.

We had class eight basketball last night.

B's and Double A's and Portland and the CS and DS here in Bangor this afternoon and this evening.

In just a moment, we'll get all the participants in this one when we send it over to the table as a valley and the traveling black uniforms there, the, undefeated at 21 and, oh, the southern Maine champs and the home seed from the Central Aroostook Panthers, the number two seed and Northern Maine class D I silence kind of over the, cross center right now.

Is everyone just kind of the nervous anticipation to get this going right?

If you're coaches on either side, the anticipate probably isn't a comfortable feeling.

You just want to get that ball up and and get going and see how the players can settle into this game, see the officials for this game getting ready for, running up and down the court and keeping up with these kids.

They ran through tournament week, of course, from February 14th all the way till February 22nd.

Had a week off and the only teams practicing now are these teams playing in state championship games this weekend.

Let's send it over to the table.

The public address announcer for game one, his job up to the Cross Insurance Center for the 2025 Maine Principals Association State Basketball Championships, presented by Ware Butler Building Supply, Division of Pleasant River lumber.

This Maine State girls Class D championship game features the champions of southern Maine with a record of 21, and all the Cavaliers from Upper Kennebec fell in high school.

And the champions of northern Maine with a record of 19, and to the Panthers from Central Aroostook High School.

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

In keeping with this 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 the student athletes, coaches, game officials, and fellow spectators in a positive manner.

We thank you in advance for your support of sportsmanship and the 2025 Maine State Basketball Championships presented by Ware Butler Building Supply.

At this time, let's meet the participants of this Maine State Class D championship game.

Introducing first the team members for the Southern Maine champion Valley High School Cavaliers, coached by Gordon Hartwell.

Also an eighth grader, number one Carly Cates.

Freshman number five Dahlia Hill, a sophomore.

Number 11 Emily Manzo.

Freshman number 12 Miranda Bean, freshman.

Number 32 Raven Clark.

And a sophomore, a 42 Daisy Wright.

And now we introduce the team members for the Northern Maine champion Central Aroostook High School Panthers, coached by Cody Tompkins, eighth grader, number two, Jillian Grass.

Eighth grader number ten, Ariana Gregoire.

Freshman.

Number 12 Aiden Kennedy.

Eighth grader.

Number 14 Rebecca Shore.

Eighth grader.

Number 24 Jocelyn or.

Eighth grader.

Number 30 Cheyenne Henderson.

And an eighth grader.

Number 34 Piper Woolard.

And now introducing the starting lineups in this afternoon's state championship game for Valley at guard.

A senior captain wearing double zero.

Madeline Hill.

For central Aroostook at guard, a junior captain.

Number four Harley Allen.

For Valley at guard, a junior captain.

Number ten Kirsten Bigelow.

For Central Aroostook at guard.

A junior captain.

Number 20 Maggie Mehan.

For Valley at guard, a freshman.

Number 20 Liana Hartwell.

For Central Aroostook at guard.

A sophomore.

Captain.

Number 22 Lily pert.

For Valley at forward.

A junior captain.

Number 21 Riley Clark.

For central A to get forward a sophomore captain.

Number 32 Stevie Pierce.

And for the Upper Kennebec Valley High School Cavaliers at forward a soft.

What about 24 Brianna mills.

And for the Central Aroostook High School Panthers at forward a sophomore captain number 40 Charlie Pierce.

Officials for this game of Mister Weatherby, Mr. Johnston and Miss Knights certified athletic training services are provided by Northern Light Sports Health.

You're invited to stand and remove your caps as a Central Aroostook High School band under the direction of Adam Metzler, honors our country with the playing of our national anthem.

Like.

My.

My Ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha!

I ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Ha ha ha!

Starting lineups.

National anthem.

Ready to go.

We'll tip it off this afternoon.

The Central Aroostook Panthers, the home whites and the Valley High Cavaliers, the traveling black uniforms.

Our officials, George Johnston, Jeremy Weatherby.

And Monica Knights is the other official.

So we welcome them to the Cross Insurance Center.

Sea Valley, the first team to break the huddle.

The center of the Panthers, who will come out next and just look forward to it.

Oh, look across away.

Great crowd from Central Aroostook.

A lot of blue on the backside behind us.

A lot of blue for Valley as well.

So blue versus blue today.

What are your scoreboard up on your screen.

And we're ready to go in this one.

The Valley High Cavaliers with Riley Clark going up for Central Aroostook Charlie Pierce and the opening tip controlled by Central Aroostook as they'll settle up in their front court.

The Panthers with the win over skank last week.

That's why they're here right now.

It's Lily Burke leading scorer for the Panthers.

She's got the ball up top for the Panthers.

Works it over to Stevie Pierce.

Back down inside they look for Burke.

Ball tipped.

It goes out of bounds off central.

Aroostook and Valley will take over in their first offensive possession.

I'm sure Burt would want to take that back.

It got deflected but then went off the tip of her fingertips last.

Ball.

He's got the basketball.

They go straight down inside the Mills ball knocked away from her and pulled away by Central Aroostook Burke quickly into transition into the front court.

Spins in the lane.

Goes through traffic shot.

No good as the rebound goes out of bounds off of Central Aroostook.

So both teams trying to, you know, get those early game jitters out of the way.

Always a big part of the state championship game.

One team coming from afar.

Not used to this court as well.

Central Aroostook has played three games here over the course of the last week.

Valley of course, playing down at the Augusta Civic Center, their regional tournament inside traveling violation.

Stepping through the double team Hannah Hartwell.

She's call for steps and turns it over.

And I believe the Panthers they've enjoyed mixing in the triangle and two.

And I think we saw that that last defensive stop.

And I'm not sure if Valley's familiar with seeing a lot of triangle and into.

Panthers and Cavaliers looking for the first points of this one last the state championship here on the stations of Maine Public Television.

Charlie Allen now out to Charlie Pierce.

Pierce is the one number 40.

He had the free throw at the end of the semifinal with no time on the clock in a tie game, she was able to make a free throw that pushed the Panthers to the regional championship.

Was a huge free throw, and I think the Panthers right now, the game plan is if it's five verse five, man versus man, they're going to use the clock in their favor.

Just knowing statistically, Valley typically scores a lot of points.

So they may want to, take their time on offense right down inside to Alan Ball tied up possession.

Arrow goes over to Valley.

And I think you made mention of it Julie in our pregame this game gets into the 60s and 70s.

Just looking at the points that favors Valley.

This game stays in the 30s and 40s is a much more favorable score for Central Aroostook.

Quickly down court the shot off the glass and the winner goes to Madeline Hill.

And she's got the first point to the state final.

And she is, sole fabric of the team, very active.

I just love the way she plays.

Competitive.

Just a key player for Valley.

In order to win, she's going to be, a big factor.

Charlie Pierce now, Lily Burke for the Central Aroostook team again, winning a state championship in 2020 when they were in class C Valley looking for their first ever Gold Ball.

They played in four Gold Ball games since 1975.

Of course, are celebrating the 50th year of, girls basketball being a sanctioned MPA sport ball knocked away and stolen Whistle foul in transition on the Central Aroostook Panthers.

So digging down on the defensive side the Valley Cavaliers and rewarded with a turnover.

And that is a key component to Valley is their defense.

And their game plan right now is a sagging man.

Or because the strength of the Panthers is the driving abilities of both Allen and Burke.

Bigelow goes down inside to Mills now.

Hartwell.

Hartwell kicks along the baseline.

Is Mills down low?

Actually it's Clark.

Swing it across the hill.

Hill from the baseline shot.

No good whistle and I found the rebounding action on Valley.

And that looks like it's on Riley Clark high.

Might have had two hands on that rebound one Riley Clark her first team Spurs.

That's the first on Valley.

Front court quickly it's Burke now for Central Aroostook still looking for their first points of the state.

Final.

Last D over the last six years has been dominated by southern Aroostook on the north side.

Anyway, they've won five of the last six gold balls and they were in the other game that they lost and that we lost in the state final.

That was in 2020, losing to Greenville.

A game was down in Augusta.

Step back three point try on the way around the rim.

It off.

No good for Hartwell in the rebounding action.

Jump ball possession.

Arrow favors central Aroostook.

That's going to be key for the Panthers.

There's a little late size advantage.

But the key factor for Valley is how great they are at offensive rebound.

So I'm sure Coach Tompkins has told his team, if we want to be in this game, we need to box out.

Burke.

Mehan sets a screen for bird down the lane.

Lost possession.

Pulled away by Valley.

Now loose on the floor.

Comes back to Burke.

Puts it up.

No good and a foul.

So rag ragtag basketball.

But again the Cavaliers not pulling away in the early go Ellie foul.

We look at the replay Riley we didn't see the steal here in this replay.

But one thing we are familiar with is Burke's getting the steal.

She's averaged I almost want to say over about seven steals a game.

If you were to average it out.

She's had 22 steals Toby in this tournament and that is impressive.

Number a three out of three games.

So seven plus steals a game.

First free throw good.

And the first points for central Ristic belong to Lily Burke.

Second shot back rim no good and taken off by Valley.

Cavaliers.

Race into the front court.

Hartwell takes it the left side.

She'll go right to the glass and lay it in.

You can see why Valley can score points in bunches on makes and misses.

They want it to be a track made.

They can push the ball so well.

And Hartwell is not your traditional freshman.

Burnt right by her defender.

Blows behind at the glass.

Lily Burns Lily bird answers back with the basket.

Makes it A43 ballgame.

Hartwell down the lane.

Goes up with a left hand.

Off.

Shot's no good.

He gets fouled.

We're seeing what Hartwell could do.

Putting the ball on the floor in transition and within the halfcourt set.

But she's more than that.

We'll see what what comes today.

But she can pull up jumper.

She can hit her three second two shots at the free throw line is Hartwell.

First one for Valley number 20 Liana Hartwell.

Dahlia Hill now in the game for Valley as well.

So Coach Hartwell is going to his bench.

Second shot around the rim and off.

No good rebound though to Valley Mills with a miss.

The fight for the rebound.

Pulled out.

Loose pick back up by Hill.

Gives it out three point.

Try this one for Madelyn Hill a short and he goes out of bounds.

Back to center for the Ristic.

So a lead for the Valley high Cavaliers leading it five three over the Panthers.

And the strategy so far is to slow it down.

If you are Central Aroostook unless you get a steal they are going to look to push for the quick offense Burt front court Steve Pierce now for Central Aroostook at it.

Mars Hill.

To Allen.

And now it's Burke.

Burke down inside Charlie Pierce is bumped blocking foul on Valley.

One it's good that, central.

Ristic is looking to at least move the ball and get it inside as well.

Put some pressure on the defense and obviously Valley will have to adjust their defense to how the officials are calling.

Shot blocked is Pierce came free off the screen but her shot was blocked.

Goes out of bounds off.

Valley will stay with the Panthers underneath their own basket with 312 to go in the first quarter.

Toby Nelson Julie Sinclair with you from the Cross Center.

Class D state championship game on Maine Public on air, online.

We're all over the world.

This is Burke with an up top for Central Aroostook.

Charlie Pierce drives, kicks it off to Allen.

Cut off as Hartwell playing pretty good defense on her lob pass down low is tipped out of bounds by Madeline Hill.

It stays with the Panthers again.

And Valley really looking to lock in to Allen for Central Aroostook.

And Burt who are primarily their point scorers.

Their creators.

So you could tell defensively they're sagging off other players just to clog it in the paint.

All five second violation on Central Aroostook.

Couldn't get the ball in time.

So.

It's turned over a ball goes back to the Cavaliers a whistle.

Timeout.

Official timeout is like a shoe is untied underneath their own basket.

So they'll stop the stop the play.

For a moment.

Our officials behind us called.

The fans didn't agree.

They don't agree with it.

Did not play.

Yes.

Might as well keep things safe, though.

With every whistle is about 50% of the people that don't believe you.

Exactly.

This is Hartwell.

Off into the corner for Valley down inside Mills.

And now back up top driving through the lane.

Floater off the glass for Hill.

No good rebound.

Put back no good.

And pulled off by Maggie Mehan.

Ball out of bounds off Valley.

So it's not for lack of shot selection here by Valley.

They're getting shots off just not making them here in the early going.

Yes.

Not as many attempts at this point.

You know they haven't had it on offense as much.

The game has slowed down a bit, but it'll be key for them to keep their head up.

They are exceptional shooters.

Right now you could sense maybe some frustration and just trying to settle into the game.

Burke.

But Mason now they hand dribbling through traffic and then hands it back off to Allen.

So again, Panthers in no hurry up.

We'll see if they can get a lane to the basket.

That one by Burke shot no good.

You get a team ball taken down long down.

Court pass goes ahead to Bigelow.

Bigelow right side of the glass gathers lays it in.

This is the name of the Cavaliers game.

Nichols steals rebounds.

Someone was at half court ready to go.

And when you have Burke as a point guard driving who's going to be that next player on defense to get back to help against that transition to transition basket ball by Valley.

They've got a four point lead about a minute and a half to go here in the first quarter Steve Pierce now Burt for central.

Ristic.

Goes down the lane.

Double team lost the ball and got it back.

She gathers puts it off the glass.

Can't get it to go.

Rebound.

And the quick outlet to Bigelow.

Bigelow has got a straight lane.

She'll give it up.

Off the glass to hill.

She'll lay it in the hill for a bucket.

And a timeout called by Coach Cody Cody Dawkins is good.

Run here for the Valley Cavaliers.

The momentum is shifting and they love to run.

Quick outlet passes.

So impressive.

And you could see in the replay she caught it in about a half court building support.

And in our pregame we mentioned they share the ball well and multiple players can hit the layup.

So Bigelow gets it off the hill for the layup.

You see Coach Hartwell in the huddle right now talking it over with his kids from start.

And after a slow start he gotta love how this going right now.

Hey 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 four and out to Fryeburg to South Berwick.

Battle it out for the championship and it starts Thursday, March 20th at 8:00 on Maine Public Television.

I retirement planning at your point, I'm out of the timeout with Central Aroostook, with the basketball and Valley, you can just feel the momentum starting to shift their way.

It is.

And Valley is a team that can pressure and get up.

But they're playing to the game plan of how they want to defend.

The Panthers strength burst through traffic free throw line to pierce.

He has it ripped away and tied up.

Brianna mills is able to tie her up for you.

What?

The interior defense right now at Valley with Mills and Clark doing a really good job kind of clogging the middle.

They have.

They're playing as a team.

And just even though they may not be up and atom beyond the three point line, the hands are always active.

That was Bigelow.

They got it all started.

Hartwell misses on the offensive end.

Ball goes out of bounds and stay with Valley.

So the Cavaliers with 49 seconds to work with here in the first quarter.

Bigelow to inbound.

The Hartwell back to Bigelow corner three on the way around the rim and off.

Rebound inside off the glass.

No good that one for Mills.

And pulled down by Burke of Central Aroostook.

Mills is also doing good just staying active on the offensive end.

She hasn't always had the offensive rebound but is active, making it tough for the defense.

Allen off to Burke in the corner, gives it back to Allen with 22 seconds to go in the first quarter.

Hedy Pierce Mehan through traffic.

Left hand it off the glass and in.

Look at it up there.

Wow, Maggie man, I don't know if I've seen her take many lefty floaters, but that was impressive.

Hill with four seconds tries to answer back shot, no good rebound taken down by Pierce and the horn sounds ending the first quarter of play.

So Central Aroostook getting it back.

Momentum back towards the end of the quarter after one Valley nine central Aroostook five.

We're back with second quarter action right after this.

Basketball.

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The environment is just awesome.

Great campus.

Small, close knit community.

Everyone's very welcoming.

Everything feels very personal.

Feel like you belong here.

Arms crossing Sharon center Koby Nelson, along with Julie Sinclair.

We get set for second quarter action.

Set for the rustic ball as we start the second quarter of play.

And really, when you look at that first quarter, Julia Valley got it into a pretty good transition game.

Got the lead at the six.

Valley scored right at the end of the first quarter.

So a manageable four point deficit right now.

That hit by me Megan right at the end of the quarter was really key I think for keeping central zero six momentum and staying in this game after half the ball.

Megan, who had had that shot right before the first quarter buzzer off to Stevie Pierce, tries to drive baseline side as a step back shot by.

That was Allen.

It's no good.

Rebound pulled down by Valley Cavaliers do like to run Adalyn Hill into the front court.

This is Hartwell well tipped away Julia Hill will knock it out of bounds.

Are we sure Hartwell to freshman Hill smokes play like one even the confidence out here very young team but they play like they've been here a long time.

Hill with a shot.

No good.

And the rebound pulled off by Central Aroostook.

This is Burt I with Pierce of the Panthers trailing by four minute.

Gone by in the second quarter of play from the Cross Insurance Center Championship basketball here in the stations of Maine public television down inside turnaround shot blocked away again.

Good interior defense out to Allen.

Got short pulled down by the Cavaliers quickly.

Front court.

Hill's got it.

Whistle and a traveling violation.

So her feet move before she got the ball out of her hands.

She wanted to make that pass so quickly to her teammate.

But hell just happened to shuffle a little bit.

But what about Valley?

Just took the little bit of length they have and focus on clogging the paint.

Allen and Burt really like those layup shots, and it's making it really difficult for them.

Down the lane it's Burt.

Double team Pierce from long range.

The missed long rebound chased out by Valley.

And guess what the Cavaliers running out in front is Hartwell.

Nobody back there shot a little bit underneath the basket.

It's no good.

Get too far underneath the rim.

She tried to lay it up.

I think she felt some of the footsteps coming behind her.

Had two players rate on her back hustling down the court Burt down inside.

Burt gets it back.

Pierce down low to where?

Right.

As well as a three pointer off the glass and in.

So she bake it in for three.

First bank is open.

And that's not typically what Burt is looking to do a lot.

But she felt it was open hill with a runner.

She answers.

So Madeline Hill slashing through the lane and floats it up and in Valley back on top by three.

Here's Pierce.

And we get a whistle.

Jump ball possession.

Arrow goes to Valley.

So.

Not a lot separating these teams.

You mentioned.

Size wise, it's hard to tell on the screen if you're watching from home, but, there's not a real big size discrepancy.

Both have some pretty good team speed, and you can see by the score not a lot separates them right now.

Exactly.

The biggest difference is just as momentum moments where the Cavaliers have been able to get those transition in looks offensively.

That's where the size advantage probably is for Valley.

Just going down inside to Mills who just missed.

Pierce now ball tipped away.

Pick back up is Burt's.

Got it set up to Mehan.

Backhand to Burke.

Slow pace here for the Panthers.

Trailing by three four and a half to go in the first half.

At the half.

Sportsmanship awards are also going to honor the first two teams that played in girls basketball games back in 1975, the class D games with East Grand and Richmond.

Really love that the tournament is doing that and recognizing 50 years.

It was nice to see last night for the class AA.

Blocking foul on Valley is Burt's been the one to stir the drink here for the Central Aroostook Panthers.

She has.

And just that little hesitation slightly as she split the two defenders.

And she's really what I've been considering an impact player for her team in this tournament.

Been a little bit of the X factor, even when she's quiet, like, come on, just a couple of steals can really turn it on for her.

And two in the game for Valley Daisy.

Right.

Checking in Valley out.

There's a shot, miss.

So one of two at the O of two at the free throw line.

And the rebound comes away.

This is Bigelow down court.

Madeleine Hill no good.

Got her own rebound.

Put it up.

Block puts it back up and in.

So some wherewithal that time for Power Hill for a guard to keep the ball high like she's a post player.

Such a quick release to competitor.

Five point advantage three point dry on the other end.

Rattles off the rim.

No good by Allen.

The stick back by Megan.

That one's good Maggie Megan Megan hasn't had a lot of points leading into this game, but we're seeing a couple of baskets.

Have been big momentum shifters for her team.

Three point try missed by Hill.

Rebound pulled off by Central Aroostook as that ball goes out of bounds I think that went off and sent terrific and did it went off the foot of Lily Burke.

So a nice job that time by Bigelow to kick it off her foot.

That's just instincts.

Valley can pressure like that was.

So you imagine if their game plan is to just kind of sag off if they turn it on, it could come as a shock to the Panthers in that time with a turnover.

Miranda been checking in for Valley three pointer on the way for Bigelow is good.

Three point basket for student Kirsten Bigelow.

The first triple of the game for the Valley High Cavaliers.

And the lead is up to six.

Three minutes to play in the first half from the Cross Insurance Center.

The class D state championship.

Mark Pierce with it up top.

Now Steve Pierce.

And Megan.

Pierce looks inside.

Has nothing there.

Megan now left handed.

Dribble through the lane.

Shot blocked away.

Blocked out of the air by Miranda Bean and pulled down by Valley Cavaliers into the front court is Hartwell.

She'll go left side of the glass.

Lays it in and the foul leading up front.

Well Valley Cavaliers can certainly push the ball.

And we had one player down on the opposite end of the court.

Central a rustic foul resulted in who.

It's not like they were up ahead of the defense.

But they're such talented one on one players.

Hartwell again not playing like a freshman and one strong drive to the hoop.

You'll have a chance for a three point play after the timeout today was called by center of the roost.

It.

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So watch them to your heart's content tonight if you want to, over and over again.

So really right now, Julie, when you look at the game reset for Valley, they've got the tempo where they want it right now pushing the ball a transition is working for this time to really starts because and also these are they're sticking to the game plan.

They've forced a couple of turnovers some jump balls.

They're catching the loose.

They're winning the hustle plays.

And it has resulted in a three.

And then it in in one place which might result in another three point play.

So this shift has happened.

It's a good time call for Coach Tompkins for the halftime break.

Thank you.

The bread and butter for the Panthers too is their defense.

And sometimes you need a score for that defense to kick in.

So, I know they want to keep the score low, but they're having difficulty just seeing open shots at this point.

Deanna Hartwell Hannah Hartwell makes the free throw out of the timeout.

So it's a nine point lead for Valley.

Two minutes and 20s to play here in the first half Bert up top.

Got guarded by Hill.

But looks to fire it down inside.

Has nothing.

And now kicks off on the right side.

It goes to Allen.

Charlie Pierce.

Picks up the dribble and gives it off to Mason.

Burns got it back near midcourt.

And again if you're Valley, you got a nine point lead.

There's no reason to.

Come on.

Get the ball right.

Exactly.

You don't.

Doesn't matter how many points you win by right.

Just need to win by one by one.

And right now they have a nine point lead with a minute 35 to go in the first half.

This is Allen.

Pierce goes down low Burke good spin move by Burke kicks it up top goes through Pierce's hand but right to Allen Allen back to Pierce.

Pierce along the left side for central.

Ristic.

Got here with a win over skank last week in the regional championship game.

Valley knocking off Saint Dom's in their regional final is going down.

The Pierce lost the ball and pulled out by Valley.

It's Hartwell doesn't have numbers.

You got to go right to the glass anyway.

Lays it in.

Look at the numbers.

When you can drive like that you don't.

And whether someone's honor her or not, she's a one track mind right now.

Finding much success driving left.

Part of me desires right now what would happen if Burke came off ball screen.

But you're obviously going to stick to the offense that got you here.

There's Hartwell the other way for Valley Front court to Hill.

Hill tries to hands it off inside the been it's thrown away picked up by Central Aroostook with 25 seconds to go in the quarter two on one break Megan up a hand lays it up and in Maggie Mehan Maggie Mehan with six points so far this half.

And that was one of the few opportunities they've had.

Transition basket, which Central Aroostook typically loves to do.

Bigelow down inside has been from long range.

No good hill.

The rebound goes out of bounds.

Central Aroostook ball with 1.8 seconds to play in the half.

Tipped off the fingertips of Wright I believe nine point ball game.

Might throw the ball long.

Comes out to burn.

Burke.

Three pointer at the buzzer off the side of the rim.

No good.

That's how the first half ends here from the Cross Insurance Center after one half to Valley High.

Cavaliers 21, Central Aroostook 12.

We're back with halftime rest.

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At nine and right now, the Eight Principals Association is honoring the teams that were here 50 years ago.

East Grand and Richmond in the class D girls games.

And we'll send it over to the table to honor those teams right now is they bring they bring back players from both ladies and gentlemen, Grand and Richmond.

Pretty cool.

Today we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the inaugural high school girls state basketball championships in the great state of Maine.

Representing the Maine Principals Association today, executive director Mr. Mike Burnham and assistant executive Director Mr. Mike Bisson, please draw your attention to the court as members from the 1975 class D teams are introduced in the 1975 Maine State Girls Basketball Championship for class D, East Grand High School defeated Richmond High School by a score of 49 to 41 to claim the first class D girls basketball state title in Maine's history.

Today, we proudly present all members who play the championship game with a coin commemorative of that historic tournament.

Now let's meet the players.

Joining us from the Richmond High School team, coach Richard Crossman.

Players Joe Ellen Lancaster, Scribner, Becky Schulberg, shields.

Marion.

Kendra.

Anderson.

Joan.

Kenny.

Pat.

Wisdom will let.

Karen.

Gasper.

Team manager.

Gene.

Kenny.

McGuigan.

Joining us today from the 1975 state championship team from East Grand High School, coach Dennis Cordray, along with players Renita Brown, Dill.

Susan Gillis, Shane.

Petty.

Paige.

Johnson.

And Christine.

Card log.

Let's give both teams a round of applause, even louder than when they heard in front of the state championship crowd.

50 years ago today.

Thank you.

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

I don't know, maybe right here.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and Fame Now Finance Authority Maine, it is an honor this afternoon to present sportsmanship banners 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 thank you award.

Reduce to the schools we recognized with the 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 presentations this afternoon on behalf of the Maine Principals Association, our Matt Rossignol, athletic administrator at Van Buren District School, and Rick Sinclair, athletic administrator at Hermon High School, we are pleased to recognize today and girls class B North, the Huskies of Maine Central Institute.

Here today to receive the award is coach Michael Savage and Meg Thompson, along with players Shelby Jordan.

Carlotta Tapia, Bella Bachrach, Charlotte Peaslee, Ashley Brooks, Adriana Brooks.

Thank you.

Appreciate it.

Kyra Hiebert, Caitlin Hamilton, and Cheyenne Williams.

Yeah, so but maybe at that point it wasn't.

So congratulations to Maine Central Institute.

Over here.

Yeah.

But there were different sizes for the podcast.

Today we honor another school with the sportsmanship award.

Please welcome girls class C North, the Mustangs of Mount View High School.

Here to receive the award from Matthew coaches Wilcox and Coach Anderson, along with players Lily Parsons, Madison Bennett, Emily Richards, Julia Richards, Elizabeth Littlefield, Emma Herd, Olivia Kirby, Olivia Turner, Audrey Garnett, Jayden Dodge, Savannah Llorens, Ariana Dean miniatures, Brooke Anderson, and Devin Carrier.

Yes.

All right, it's all about the coach team who didn't play in the.

Congratulations to Mountview High School.

They.

Shooting at the hoop here in this.

Yes.

You know it would normally you know.

All right.

Good Alyssa recognizing in class C girls North.

So warriors from Fort Kent Community High School here today to receive the award.

Coach Kelly O'Leary, along with player Evelyn Neto.

Many of the players were unable to attend today due to weather concerns.

Once again, congratulations to the Warriors, a Fort Kent Community High School.

And thank you to Fame, the Finance Authority of Maine, for helping us present our sportsmanship awards here today.

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

File the Fafsa now to maximize your aid.

Get free help from Fame and fame maine.com/fafsa.

So we've seen the sportsmanship banners handed out at the MCI girls, the Mount View Girls, and the Fort Kent Girls.

The winning sportsmanship banners and classes B and C. So congratulations to all three of those schools.

And time to take a look at some of those first half numbers here between Valley and Central Aroostook.

And Julie, what do we get?

I think when we're looking at the screen for one second, I think the only stat we could see in the moment, maybe was the turnovers, that they were the same.

So we might have to wait a few more minutes to get those halftime stats up.

So turnovers our no question turnovers right now favoring Valley.

And that's why they have the nine point lead on the scoreboard.

Third member of our broadcast crew is Jim Baynes.

And we talked about that 1975 teams.

And he's got a standing by right now on the baseline Jim take it away.

Toby I've been looking forward to this all week.

Here we have with us the first ladies to play in a state championship game back in 1975, 50 years ago this year, this was the class D game.

It was the Richmond Bobcats, the East Grand Vikings.

Ladies, introduce yourselves quickly, please.

Susan Shane, we need a brown caddy.

Paige Johnson.

Christine Conlogue I was told here.

In fact, I think it was a you said that back then you didn't even consider having a state championship game for the girls.

It wasn't even on the radar.

It was not.

We weren't expecting it.

We always played in a league called Katahdin Valley League and we didn't know anything any different.

And, when you were finally told, okay, we're going to be playing a state championship league, or a tournament, it was, it was, oh, that's nice.

We're like, wow, it's about time.

It was just another game.

You know, we didn't realize what history we were making at that time.

You came away with a goal ball to tell.

What was that like?

For Danforth area?

Yeah, it was awesome.

The whole town came together, they came to the tournament, and then they gave us a celebration.

Huge.

All right.

Very good.

Let's move over to the, the runners up.

Yeah, the Richmond Bobcats.

Ladies, introduce yourselves, please.

Gene McGwire, Joe Allen, Lancaster.

Pat was the Willard.

Karen Gasper, John Kenny, Becky Chau, Brooke Shields, Marion Conrad Anderson, coach Richard Crossman.

Oh, yeah.

Oh.

You're not oh, you know, you're not going on.

That's too bad because you had the best story out here, coach.

I'll.

Oh, that was you always.

Oh, y'all.

I'm sorry.

You guys, are you stuck around?

We were speaking over here.

Well, tell us about the story you told me about it and what kind of facility you played in.

And this was not just for the girls.

Richmond boys School, right?

We we built some great teams out of that gym.

And it was an old swimming pool, and, we had to put a foot on the wall to take the ball out.

And the people that were on the side court had to sit side to when they were on the bench.

And, it was really a great opportunity for us all to really play ball.

And that's what we did.

We just loved it.

Graduate from that school.

We were the last class to play in that gym before we went into the new gym.

We didn't play East Grand in the regular season fans, but welcome members.

It was just great.

I mean, National Guard, tell us about the memories of playing in that state championship game.

Anything that May stands out.

I know what the score didn't turn out well for you, but what's probably the best memory for that game here?

I think just being a part of it, I mean, really just being a part of it.

We had glad they didn't have the three point because these guys could shoot from outside.

Oh really?

Okay.

Yeah.

And I remember just our friends and family from Richmond just poured into the stands and they were so supportive of us.

Just a great, great atmosphere.

See you remember the coach, you know, you were doing something oh, legendary at the time doing our our bringing girls basketball to the forefront.

Mids.

This was the first group of young ladies that played on the boys room this generation.

And they really, really laid the groundwork for what we're seeing today, 50 years later, of how competitive the women's game is and how competitive high school basketball is for girls.

And I think a lot of people, younger people, don't know that girls basketball had a different set of rules before they adopted the boys rules.

It was a three on three, a six on six on six with three players that could play offense, three players that could play defense.

They were limited to three dribbles before they had to pass the ball.

And then they advanced one year and had two rovers that could play full court, but it was really handicapping the athletic ability these young women at the time, because we treated them as if they couldn't physically meet the challenges of and up and down the court.

And of course, we know that's not true.

Speaking of athletic ability, who was your stand out here over there for your Bobcats?

Yeah, they're right here.

The whole group that way.

Yeah.

Yeah I mean I'm sorry I didn't I think actually it was my right to go back.

Yes.

Tell us about I mean honestly just working with these ladies back then, you still keep in touch and you still talk about basketball?

Not as much as we should, honestly.

And that's that's would be my takeaway is like, keep in touch.

These girls keep in touch because 50 years from now, when they're standing, when we are where main is celebrating 100 years of women's basketball, I hope they will have kept in touch.

All right.

Okay.

Right.

Good.

All right.

Bobcat.

Bobcat Vikings thank you for joining us.

And congratulations on 50 years.

And I hope you continue talking tomorrow right Toby back to you.

All right Jim thanks very much.

Such a cool story Julie, isn't it.

It really is.

I thoroughly enjoyed that this has been implemented this year in the celebration.

It's all about the stories, the relationships, especially when you have a chance to be with a team on this floor for a gold ball.

Yeah, I think the the mentioned the takeaway is stay in touch in the sense that when they are celebrating 100 years, 50 years from now, a lot of these teams want to be able to say, you know what?

We remember a score at the half A Valley Cavaliers 21, a Central Aroostook Panthers 12 quarterback in the second half action right after this.

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The environment is just awesome, great campus, small, close knit community.

Everyone's really welcoming.

Everything feels very personal.

They feel like you belong here.

At the Cross Insurance Center a little first half highlight here.

Kristen Bigelow two of her five first half points.

The drive by Lily Birch has six six of the 12 Central Aroostook points.

You see three more them right there.

And she banked that three pointer off the glass.

In the second half about ready to get underway.

So really when you look at it Julie for Valley they want to see the transition game as they got going to get this lead up.

And for Central Aroostook they've got to put some more points on the scoreboard.

Yes I'm interested to see what Coach Tompkins does to adjust because she may need to consider a more aggressive mindset if they continue to be down by multiple possessions.

So the pace of their offense may look to be different when we switch up sides along with it.

For Central Aroostook, they'll go to our right where we sit at the courtside level of the Cross Insurance Center.

Steve Pierce to back to Allen.

Charlie Pierce posting up down low ball knocked away and stepping out of bounds Brianna mills.

So it's going to stay with center.

Ristic along the baseline Brianna mills able to get her left hand in there a little bit.

But she's been doing a good job not necessarily scoring at this point yet.

But rebounds and deflections.

Bounce pass comes in for the Panthers Burke Pierce spins in the lane puts the shot up around the rim and off.

No good.

Out of bounds goes off Valley.

It'll stay again with Central Aroostook Panthers looking for their first goal.

Ball since 2020.

They've been the state finals and they won state finals in 2020.

Then you have to go back into the 80s going up with a shot.

No good Pierce.

But she's fouled ahead to the free throw line.

What an 81 and 82.

Lost in 1990 and 93.

So Valley state championship for Brianna mills her second.

And a mills call for flour six.

That's the lead for a line 22 right now Charlie Pierce her first points of the final.

First one for Pierce.

No good.

She'll get one more.

It's one of the stats leading in to this game.

And during the tournament hasn't been where they probably want to be for central or stick their free throw shooting coming into this game on the tournament was about 55%.

And obviously in these tight games, all the more pressure to want to make a quick transition.

Bigelow shot no good and a foul on the rebounding action.

It goes against Valley and we talk about when you miss shots bad things happen.

And that's really a bad thing.

It happened to Valley because the Bigelow made the layup.

You don't have that foul right.

Now it goes on.

Madeleine L'Engle oh on double zero Madeleine Hill or second.

That's her second.

It's the second on the team or just a minute gone by in the third quarter and no points up on the scoreboard for either team.

Pierce inside goes up.

Shot no good.

Got her own rebound.

Tries to go up with it.

And then AD Mills right in her face.

So brings it back out.

For for central Ristic.

Oh Pierce.

Down low to Allen where she's double teamed.

And the perimeter Steve Pierce along the left side for Central to Ristic.

Off to Burke.

Mehan.

Left side and the three pointer in the corner off the front rim.

No good.

Rebound pulled down by Valley as ball thrown away.

Thrown out by Mills.

Turned it over and the center the Ristic Panthers get it back.

And you can see Hartwell out there telling her to just settle down and play.

She's do it.

Talk for her team.

Talk for herself.

That was an uncharacteristic turnover for Valley.

Easy right.

Checks in ball stripped away and stolen.

Ripped out of there by Clark.

And a foul.

So Clark did what she wanted to do.

Get the ball.

She stole it and was fouled.

Here.

Right here.

It's just instincts.

I don't think the plan is to double Team Bird at the three point line with the ball above her head, but that's just instincts with basketball going after the ball.

All right.

Well the Bigelow for three off the rim no good rebound the put back no good pick back up by Valley Hill A long three point try.

Yes three point baskets.

Never will.

Hill.

Leading scorers for Valley 11 points by hitting that three.

2412.

So right now Valley doubling up.

Central Aroostook 545 to go in the third quarter.

Free throw line.

It's Pierce down.

Low ball tipped away and stolen.

Taken out by Valley Hartwell with it.

Well into the front court.

Is it off Madeleine Hill.

Another three point try.

Asked hey time to right Cody Tompkins.

He's seen two straight by hill and Julie.

All of a sudden this is a 15 point ballgame.

It is.

They could shoot the ball so well many players can get see here.

This was the first three.

But honestly the second three looked exactly the same.

It was almost like deja vu.

This is to help pay for and again almost from the exact same spot.

You could see her follow through.

A wonderful shooter, heart and soul of the team.

The lone senior playing on the court today.

A big shots there for Madeline Hill and all of a sudden 27 to 12 advantage for the Valley High Cavaliers with 528 to play here in the third quarter.

Reminder that all the state final games are being streamed live and for free at Maine public.org.

You can watch this and any other of the state final games on your mobile device, computer or smart TV anywhere you are.

It's all at Maine public.org/basketball, so you can see all the state championship games, including this one in its entirety.

Valley coming out of the huddle, they scored the first six points of the third quarter, getting it done on the offensive and defensive side right now, and that's been the ticket to their success so far this season.

Really haven't had a close game at all, at least for the ones that have been in conference.

We don't know who they may have played in tournaments, but they're executing and forcing the Panthers to have to come up with alternate plans in their timeouts.

But right now, they're still doing the stall game about, they're going to have to look to be more aggressive offensively if they want to cut this deficit.

Oh man.

The ball stolen up ahead of the pack.

Now it's Daisy right.

Hands off to Hartwell.

All right.

Well left side down inside ball tipped away.

Knocked out pushed out by Central Aroostook.

Panthers with Burke to the glass.

Shot blocked away.

That one is blocked nicely by Hill but back.

No good shot off the glass.

No good.

Rebound.

Taken down by Burke.

And a push and no jump ball could have gone either way.

Alternating possibly with a reach.

But look like she got two hands on the ball to force a jump ball.

A player like Lily Burke is, doesn't end the play until literally the whistle blows.

You could see she's not very tall, but still competitive in there, trying to get the ball back for her team.

Hartwell.

Nobody picked her up.

Pulls up from 17.

Yes.

She's now in double figures with ten points.

As I mentioned earlier, she could do everything.

Pull up jumpers, drives.

We haven't seen her take an attempt.

I don't think at the three yet, but she's a player who can hit them all.

It's an eight zero run to start the quarter here for Valley.

The lead has ballooned out to 17 points.

Burt Mason for center.

The Ristic along the left side.

On the baseline speedy Pierce.

Little runner in the lane rattles at home.

So they needed a basket Stevie Pierce they did.

It was a eight to nothing run to start the quarter as Clark shot blocked and pulled away by Central Aroostook.

Allen up the near side Allen leaves it back for Burke now.

Megan.

Steve Pierce.

Burt back down inside to Allen.

She'll spin.

Puts it up.

Comes up short a rebound taken out by Hartwell and Allen.

Usually has success on the offensive end.

Has yet to get on the scoring board.

But as I mentioned earlier in the game, I've been calling them the Comeback Kids.

This deficit is getting a little bit out of hand, but still, we can't discredit at the point they wanted to turn the press on.

What might that look like now?

Allen?

Central Aroostook.

So Hill was not in the active.

She didn't get a blocking foul.

A team control illegal screen set by Valley.

So easy right.

Call for the.

Blocking foul.

Yep.

Valley had a wait for those screens before you can move.

Right.

Her first team's third.

317 to go here in the third quarter a three point drive by Burt.

That's well off the glass.

And the second down.

That doesn't take a much from the outside.

But when she does, she's using the glass.

Off the glass.

No good.

Rebound pulled away.

So here come the Panthers trailed by as many as 17.

Mason travel basket went in but she did.

She took an extra staff for maybe two.

And then.

Entering the game for the Cavaliers.

And yes we could see two ways that you were not allowed in the replay.

That's a nice try.

I'm observing the bench.

And Coach Tompkins is putting on the press right now.

We're going to see if these comeback Panthers can make a push here in the third.

Quickly the Valley Cavaliers move it around.

Hill comes up short rebound loose in the floor.

And there's a whistle.

Ball tied up.

Possession.

Arrow favors Central Aroostook.

So they trailed by as many as 78.

It was 29 to 12.

So we can mark that down.

They scored the last five points.

We love to see the hustle to both teams.

Just knowing how big and a loose ball is on the floor, forcing the jump ball.

Pass down low.

Knocked away Hill with the steal.

Knocked back out of bounds by Allen.

A very active hands by both teams.

Can you imagine if the Panthers could press like this the whole game.

Valley actually has great ball handlers.

It's just that switch from a lull to turning it on.

You have to find the adjustment into the front court.

Bigelow.

Nice pass across the lane to Mills.

Puts it off the glass and in.

That's what happens.

You give up some easy points on the other side.

You do.

It forces quicker shots which is great if there's a mess.

But oh another turnover.

Step back Hartwell jumper comes up short Burke gave her some resistance.

Here we through traffic.

Kick it out to Mason.

Mason for three off the side of the rim.

No good.

Rebound taken down by Mills.

It goes to Hartwell 143 to go in the third quarter 14 point lead for Valley.

Bigelow goes down low looking for Mills and goes out of bounds off of Mills.

And going to love the hustle.

Wasn't an easy pass to catch, but Mills is going to get on the floor.

Fortunately wasn't able to keep it in bounds for her team.

And a whistle maybe.

I think we have, Charlie Pierce right now.

Not sure breathing or an injury, but, very rarely.

This is the first sub in the game for the Panthers in games prior.

We're not used to seeing a sub come in, so I'm sure Coach Tompkins is hoping Pierce can come back soon.

Shyann Henderson checking in for center.

The rest of Pierce off the court and headed towards the locker room.

Steve Pierce now for central.

Ristic to Burke.

Burke drives, lost the handle.

Kicks out in the corner.

Mason for three off the side of the rim.

No good.

Rebound.

Pierce off the glass a little too hard.

Comes down to Henderson.

Is it.

Back off to Burke.

To Burke.

Corner.

Mehan gets it back.

Another three for her.

Rattles at home.

Maggie Mehan is having a game of her tournament.

First player of her team, I think to be in double figures down the lane.

The runner off the side of the rim.

No good for Hartwell.

The rebound pulled back by Central Aroostook.

So just when it looks like Valley is going to put a lot of cushion the Panthers come roaring back whistle blocking foul on Hill.

And that's going to send Burke to the free throw line for two.

The momentum is shifting but we are familiar with us.

You look at the replay she likes to hesitate.

You can't really tell in the live when I when it's a replay and you see it slow, she gets a little hesitation dribble to get her defender.

Maybe a little bit off balance.

But this momentum is certainly shifting.

And this is what the comeback team likes to do to Lily bird.

Lily bird at the free throw line.

Missed the first.

Will get her second shot.

The foul on Madeline Hill.

It was her third as the second free throw side of the rim.

No good rebound taken out by Mills.

Early one for six from the free throw line.

Up into the corner.

Bigelow stops spots for three off the back rim.

No good.

Weakside board pulled down by Valley.

Got Hartwell for three.

Short.

And here come the Panthers the other way Stevie Pierce front court hands it off to right side drives right down the lane.

Nobody picked her up and it goes out of bounds off of Valley as Mills couldn't hang on to it.

Wow.

It's like, I don't know what you call them.

The little machines there where you get the ball ping pong in.

But she might have been too open for the layup.

There.

Burke gives it right back down inside Allen.

Little turnaround shot off the rim.

No good at the buzzer.

That's how the third quarter ends here from the Cross Insurance Center three in the box from Bangor.

Score after three hits the Valley Cavaliers 31.

Central Aroostook 20.

We're back right after this.

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We get set for fourth quarter basketball here at the state championship game.

Right at midcourt.

The lead official Jeremy Weatherby, getting set to inbound the ball to or hand the ball off to Bigelow to inbound.

It gets it in to Hartwell in the fourth quarter underway Toby Nelson Julie Sinclair with you Kurt Chadbourne, our table producer Andre Cormier, our director here this afternoon Rodney Barrow, all the guys out on the track.

We appreciate all their hard work behind the scenes.

Nice pass inside is ball pulled back out to Bigelow and he's fouled.

Consternation behind us with the crowd there.

They wanted the foul call.

Didn't get it.

But guess what.

The foul eventually did.

The foul happened on the hustle here for coach Gordon Hartwell coaching his team hard on the sidelines.

Valley looking for their first ever gold basketball on the girls side.

The boys of course have a ton of gold basketball trophy case going back to the six in a row run.

For the Central Aroostook Panthers, it goes out to Pierce.

Now driving Alan out to Henderson.

Anderson left open for three, comes up short and goes out of bounds.

Going to stay with Valley.

And right now we can see Coach Tompkins really wants his team to get up and pressure the basketball.

Yes.

This is the time of the game where they usually try to pour it on.

Maybe.

Good news for Central Aroostook.

I see Pierce back on the bench down court.

The layup.

No good for Clark.

He got fouled from behind and will head to the free throw line for two shots.

What led to this foul is again kick up bats in transition number 32.

And defensively the Panthers were hoping to get a tip.

But got a little bit of the hand.

Number 21 Raleigh Clark.

It's Pierce's second Clark at the free throw line for two.

First one's good.

Making excuse me.

That's a Pierce getting set to check back in.

Charlie Pierce checking in.

Henderson will head to the bank.

And number 41, Charlie Pierce.

Clark with one more.

One miss, but the rebound comes down inside.

Mill shot.

No good.

The puck.

That's good.

The two rebounds and a bucket.

Brianna mills has been on the boards all day long.

Hasn't seen much success with the put backs, but she might be finding her groove.

Her fourth point of the game.

The lead is up to 14.

Make that 12.

There's a layup by Lily Burke.

Bigelow down the lane.

Male shot a little too high.

Rebound pulled away by Central Aroostook.

Taken out by Pierce.

And off to Birt 623 to go in the fourth.

12 point lead for Valley.

On the near side.

Step back.

Three point try by Allen.

No good Adalyn Hill with the rebound.

Off to her cousin.

That's Hartwell up ahead to Bigelow.

Hill another three that off the side of the rim.

No good.

And coming in over the top Riley Clark called for the foul.

So on the back foul there for Riley Clark.

That was a key box out for the Panthers.

First of all I thought Hill might hit that.

And I was going to compliment how quickly every player touched the ball in that position team's first run because it just share the ball so well and are accurate with their passes.

I just committed one team foul here in the fourth quarter.

Bird's got it with 550 to play.

Pierce.

Has a three point try by Allen.

That one short saved in by Burke right into the waiting arms of Madeline Hill.

Quickly down court to Bigelow.

She'll catch it in stride to the glass.

Lays it up around it in her.

Sometimes a downside of saving the ball under your own basket if it doesn't go to your team, you're one player down.

But regardless, I'm so impressed by how Quick Valley gets out in transition up on the near side.

Now to Allen down low.

Pierce here.

Spins goes up with a shot.

Gets it to go.

So Charlie Pierce with a nice move.

Her first points of the game feel like that was their strategy coming out in the third.

But Mills has been doing a pretty good job on her defensively on the block.

All right.

Well as it stripped away Hill the head knocked away from behind as Burk the name of her game.

She came into this game with 22 steals in the tournament for nothing.

Run 3626.

Still a lot of time left to play her down in front of us as Lily burnt down.

I don't know if she maybe caught a screen.

I think she did.

And it's one of those when you're working so hard.

I don't know if anyone called it, she just kind of got blindsided.

But prior to that, she is a stealing queen and, results in a layup.

But hopefully she's okay.

Obviously she's a.

Player, but I just think she got blindsided by that.

That screen, which you can set those screens if you're stationary, which I believe they were, but no one called it for.

It's like you just get hit by a rock.

See it right now.

Well, no.

What happened here?

She's just hustling back and it's like it's a bump.

And, it really is on the defense to call that.

But in transition, it's hard to get the help of her coaches taking her off the court.

But she might have got hit in the rib in the wrong way.

And that's tough to see a player who's probably one of the bigger impact players for the team definitely want to.

You don't want to see anyone go down regardless, so she'll come off the floor right now and be looked at by the training staff and a sub coming in for Center of Aroostook.

Adrianna Gregoire checking in.

Into the game for central.

The restricted number ten Ariana Gregoire.

Gregoire will check in.

Out of the timeout.

Valley ball 446.

Left Hill for three.

That's off the mark.

No good.

Good inside position.

The putback goes Riley Clark.

I wondered when we were going to see Riley do that coming into this game.

She had 19 offensive rebounds in the tournament Toby that's like six a game.

I'm sure she's spread it out in different ways, but she's a machine on the boards.

So Clark with the bucket back up to a 12 point advantage for Valley 419 to go.

Here's Allen for Central to Ristic.

Pierce off the free throw line goes right through her defender lays it off the glass and she stepped through two.

And Charlie Pierce for the bucket.

Here's Bigelow Christ the answer back she does.

And the foul person.

Oh they make it look easy.

This is on a made basket to push it down the court in such a way.

Just always looking to be the aggressors.

This is not a team where they see the score and they're like let's stall game.

They're going to play their game and pour it on into the game.

For the Panthers.

Number 22 Lily bird as Bigelow's free throw is good.

One free throw first and Bigelow Kristen Bigelow with the bucket.

She's into double figures now with ten.

41 2813 point advantage here for Valley down low.

Pierce here spins has a defender right in front of her.

Kicks it out to Allen for three off the back rim.

No good.

Rebound.

Found the rebounding action.

On Central Aroostook.

Not.

On Valley she goes on Clark.

Number 21 Riley Riley Clark the first of all part number four for four.

Inbounded stolen away by Hart with Hartwell coming up the near side.

Quickly up the near side.

On.

Good to see Lily Burton.

Back in the ball game.

She's guarding Hartwell right now.

Hill and Hartwell playing pass.

I mentioned how they may not stall game, but I hear all the fans behind us say, take your time, take your time.

Can't get there, Hartwell.

The glass with the layup and a timeout called by Central Aroostook with 311 to go in the Valley fans, they're starting to feel this one.

They are in a key player in this run.

And in this game is number 20.

Lily Hartwell proud of the coaches fist pumping over there that time out.

He's pretty proud right now and feeling good about what his team is doing.

Playing a very very good basketball.

All right.

Now leading at 43 to 28 with 311 to go.

Today's basketball coverage is made possible by Mainers like Chris Thornton who supported Maine Public in his estate.

His generous gift helps ensure that we can continue to bring you this annual tournament and showcase athletic achievement across the state.

For more information on how you can leave a legacy, just as Chris has done, call Scott Scott Marshall Dunn at 207330 4 or 5 one zero.

You see the number right on your screen right now.

So Julie game reset 311 to play here in the fourth quarter.

Valley's got a 15 point lead.

So they have enough points right now to win the game.

There's the ball.

But now you're going to really want to close it out.

At this point you do.

And they have the momentum in their favor.

I don't think they're a team that's going to slow it down necessarily.

But they want to take the smart shot.

It's unbelievable.

Just as this tempo is changed, how many points they put on the board pretty quickly.

The four central Aroostook they need points.

They need him in a hurry.

Here's Burke.

At the free throw line, Pierce.

Back to Burke.

Digs it out to Allen.

Tries three around the rim and off.

No good.

Rebound loose.

Tied up and he's got a foul.

Reaching foul on down.

Early bird.

If there is wherever the ball is in the last two minutes or so you're probably going to see number 22 Valley town number two on the ball or around it.

In that case it was one against three.

The offensive rebound came down into the corner.

Pierce misses the three.

Rebound taken down by Bigelow.

Off the hill now Hartwell.

Nobody picked up Hartwell.

Hesitation dribble shot's no good.

He gets fouled.

So he lulled the defender to sleep.

And then just on a dime able to slash to the basket.

It's the skills she has.

I've said it probably too many times.

This game is not like a freshman.

Charlie Pierce.

She's she's, crafty with the ball.

Her first going left this game.

But I know she can go either way at the line.

First free throw by Hartwell is good.

Yeah.

On Hartwell.

And you could see it in her eyes.

She's competitive.

We talked about it before the game.

Off air.

She's got blood on her.

Okay?

They've got to, They either call a timeout to get her cleaned up, or they'll have to get a replacement player in to shoot the free throw.

And, she has basketball in her lineage.

Yes.

No question about it.

Well, her grandfather standing over the top of her right now.

Exactly.

They're taping her up, and they got her right back in the game.

Hartwell with a second shot coming in just a moment.

Who made the first 4428?

And the second shot.

That one's good.

You have to.

You think back in this game, it was a nine point game at the half, but the two three pointers that Hill had back to back really kind of shifted things to Valley.

It did.

Allen goes down low to Pierce.

Pierce tied up possession.

Arrow stays with center.

The rooster foul ball.

He just not had a lot of lot going down inside the defensive intensity in there.

When you look at Clark and Mills now that Valley has been able to throw at them has been pretty formidable.

And as Charlie Pierce scored her last two times on the block but Valley recognizing that double teaming her.

Hand off in the corner now to Allen.

Burke.

The back to Allen.

Under two minutes to go.

I'm blocking foul on Valley.

Cavaliers have literally waited 50 years for this to happen.

It is, especially coming from a school like that.

You mentioned there's a lot of hardware at their school.

They want to bring some hardware for the girls side of things.

And the boys had an incredible run back in the late 80s and early 90s.

I believe it was six straight gold barns.

They were here last in 2009, when Kristen Baker ended up going to University of Maine.

Was one of their leaders.

As up ahead as a stolen out to Hill.

She'll go into that glass.

And when Madeline for smiles are starting on the court on the valley side.

Under a minute and a half to go.

So under 90s.

Goal ball, which is over on the scorers table right now.

Looks like it may head back to Bingham as the shot missed.

Rebound pulled out.

Hills got it for Valley.

Coach is now going to call the stall game with a minute left.

It's going to pass amongst each other and try to keep the ball away.

Hartwell holds on to it down to a minute to play.

Hartwell has got it.

Just trying to kill time now.

Central Aroostook doesn't really want a foul at this point.

They've only.

They've committed four.

So if they do foul, it's going to be a shooting situation.

Still.

Hartwell.

Now for Valley.

Back to Madeline Hill.

Dahlia Hill.

Such a good moment.

And you get to toss the ball before the five second call comes.

So they know that.

But, what an impressive group.

Coach.

Long standing coach Cody.

Tough.

Well, actually, Cody Tompkins is a new coach.

Impressive for him to be here in his first year state game.

Holding on to it, Madeline Hill.

Time kicks away.

She'll throw out the man for the first time.

Remember, the Valley High girls basketball team can call themselves state champs.

All around team competitors share the ball well.

Coach Gordon Hartwell, great job.

You can see my beginning.

Slightly emotional over there.

Proud of his squad.

He's been knocking on the door, just knocking on that door.

And finally they've made it through and they'll be hoisting that gold ball shortly.

Convenient.

Valley has been the bridesmaid a bunch, but never the bride.

And tonight, afternoon back in the game, they're the girls class B state champions.

Lost in 88 in 2006.

In 2009 and last year.

But in 2025, it's the year of the Cavaliers.

And they win it by the final score of 47 to 28.

So the teams are going through the handshake line here right now.

And in just a moment Valley they don't know they're supposed to tear down the nets.

They've never had this opportunity.

They had a warm up just a week ago.

Yes.

Dreaming about this obviously having been on the floor a year prior.

The motivating factor.

It's also worth mentioning both teams.

Only one senior.

So Central Aroostook has a strong group coming back, and they should be very, very proud of themselves for what they did.

But Valley showing us today what's made them so great.

Not always easy to go 22 and oh, they're going up the ladder.

Riley Clark on our right.

And it looks like Madeline Hill on the left is Clark pulls down one net.

I always wonder how they'll do it because Augusta they were each taking a piece.

Right.

They have been actually used scissors here is just pull the pull the rope.

So this is new to them because I do think they took pieces down in Augusta so Hill and wave it around the valley.

Hi fans behind us are showing their appreciation.

I think they'll all probably go up the ladder now at this point.

Have a chance to wave it around.

4728 the final.

Bigelow had a great game.

Hill finished with 14, Kirsten Bigelow 1014 for Hartwell.

So you talk about just a really good balanced scoring attack.

Extremely good balance.

This game score every game during this season, I was impressed with their defense, their plan.

They realize they just have to score more points.

It might be a different pace of game, but, just the sagging, clogging the paint really made it difficult for the Panthers.

I mean, you look at the final number 4728.

Valley certainly didn't hit their high mark during the season, averaging about 70.

But defensively they were right around where they had been all year.

So they did exactly what they needed to to win the game today.

Yeah they did.

And even when a player got hot like Charlie Pierce Pierce hitting two baskets, they made an adjustment and double down.

They're smart players.

They're competitors.

And I have a feeling we're going to talk about them more into the future as well.

Leaving an entry, giving everyone the opportunity to wave.

Looks like everyone's had the opportunity.

So we can start with the award ceremony here in just a moment.

We'll send it over to the table once they get going with the award ceremony.

And speaking of that, will be from the public address announcer.

He's going to take it here in just a moment.

You see the state champs, the Valley High Cavaliers, their fans behind us holding up the state championship signs.

I think we're ready to go with the award ceremony.

Is it is.

On behalf of Maine Principals Association over to the table.

Here's with the addition of pleasant River lumber.

Congratulations to both teams on their exceptional championship level.

Play throughout the 2025 tournament.

We hope that the memories you made this season and all the past two weeks of the tournament last a lifetime.

As you 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, your representing yourselves, your communities, and Maine basketball extremely well for the seniors on both teams.

Thank you.

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

We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Now on the court representing the Maine Principals Association, Ron Erickson, retired administrator at Washburn District High School, and Rick Sinclair, athletic administrator.

Hermon High School, representing where Butler Building Supply is operations manager.

Jamie Carson.

To begin the awards presentations, I would ask head coach Cody Tompkins and assistant coach Emery Emily, Lacrosse drum from Central Realistic High School to please come forward to present the individual runner up awards.

The manager, Sophie Bradstreet.

Players.

Eighth graders Jillian Grass.

Ariana Gregoire.

Rebecca Shaw.

The Jocelyn or.

Cheyenne Henderson.

Piper.

Woolard.

Freshman.

Aiden Kennedy.

Sophomore captain.

Lily.

Bert.

Sophomore captain Stevie Pierce.

Sophomore captain Charlie Pierce.

Junior captain Maggie Mahan.

And junior captain Harley Allen.

At this time, we'd like to have the coaches and captains please come forward.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and where public buildings apply.

It is our pleasure to present the runner up plaque for the 2025 Maine Class D Girls State Basketball championship.

To the Central Brothers to Coastal Panthers.

Congratulations.

And now to present the awards 2025 Maine Class D State Basketball Champions from Upper Kennebec Valley High School.

We did ask head coach Gordon Hartwell and assistant coach Crystal Rollins to please come forward.

Freshman manager Isabella Clark.

Eighth grader player Carly Cates.

Freshman from Valley.

Raven Clark.

Miranda.

Been.

Delia Hill.

Liana Hartwell.

Sophomores Emily Manzo.

Daisy.

Wright.

Brianna mills.

Junior captain.

Riley Clark.

Junior captain.

Kirsten Bigelow.

And senior captain Madeline Hill.

And they're going to run this way.

For.

At this time, we'd like to have the coaches and captains please come forward.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and where Butler Building Supply, it is our pleasure to present the championship football for the 2005 class D girls basketball championship to the Cavaliers from Upper Kennebec Valley High School.

Congratulations from all of us at the MPA.

And we're pumper building.

Supplied.

Enjoy celebrating your championship.

Well, for a while for a team has never won a gold ball.

Julie.

They certainly know how to pose with one to Maine principals.

They do.

I think they've been dreaming about this every day.

A big congratulate to them and both teams really for making it this far.

Wonderful played game by the Valley High Cavaliers 4728.

The final we'll hear from the victors here in just a moment when we come back to the Cross Insurance Center right after this 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, I have access to the largest surcharge free ATM network in the state.

Find a surf ATM at Maine Credit unions.org.

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Unlock your possible@thomas.edu.

The environment is just awesome.

Great campus, small close knit community.

Everyone's really welcoming.

Everything feels very personal for us.

You feel like you belong here.

Let's go.

Marion Cross and Insurance Center Toby Nelson along with Julie Sinclair postgame show 4728 the final.

The Valley Cavaliers with a win over the Central Aroostook Panthers.

In just a moment, we're going to hear from the victorious Valley Cavaliers, the first ever Gold Ball on the girls side.

Going back to Bingham here this afternoon.

Big crowd on hand behind us.

They're excited.

The kids are excited.

Coaches are excited.

And they should be winning their first ever gold basketball.

So always a great time of year.

And March 1st 2025.

They'll never forget the day I guess.

And you'll never, never forget this day, will you, Julie?

Never will.

And the bonds that they have on this team probably will remain and continue.

And I have a feeling there's one senior.

I have a feeling, though, that we might be seeing something brewing here, where there might be a potential to be back, and we don't want to get ahead of ourselves.

But they got here last year and lost a close game to Southern Aroostook.

This year they defeat Central Aroostook, will send it down to the floor right now.

Jim Baynes got a victorious group of Valley High Cavaliers Jim.

Well they are upper Kennebec Valley High School.

You can call them the state champs day here.

We're going to start with Madeline Hill.

First of all you're the only senior on this team.

So you get the first word here.

Just general thoughts of goalball, everything you dreamed about.

Oh, yeah.

Definitely.

It's so amazing.

Like, I, I was hoping it was going to happen, but for it to actually come true, it's pretty awesome.

And this is your chance to do it right now.

Any Cavaliers alumnus or alumni that you want to thank for for getting to this point here?

Probably my whole family, my dad, my mom, my uncles, my grandfather, the coach, obviously, and just my whole team, obviously not alumni, but still.

And then I know that everyone, everyone that's just motivated me to be who I am today, I guess.

All right.

Congratulations to Kristen.

Let's first talk about, that you really shut them down in the second quarter there.

I mean, was it how are you prepared for this game, or is it what you expected on the court?

Yeah, we were working all week.

We were running like main man.

We were running everything.

We were Butler.

We knew they were going to do so.

We were just prepared for it.

We were watching them and just we were just carrying over.

Got a pick on the lone senior here.

Tell us what Madeline's meant to you in this team.

She's.

She's been the best.

She's always lifting everybody up.

She's just.

She's the definitely the leader of the team.

Like, she's there for everybody.

Thank you very.

I got to get Riley in here.

To where?

Second half.

Very good.

Yeah.

I mean, just want to talk.

We got the two juniors.

Got to pick on Madeline right now.

Yeah, yeah.

Just gotta bear in mind people need to know junior, junior, senior, sophomores and younger.

The rest of this team here.

Tell me what it's, meant.

Her leadership, to this team so far, she's really an amazing leader.

She's very, inspirational, always lifting us up.

And she pushed us to, like, really do well.

And when the go ball it at Liana, let's talk about, really that, second quarter, I think the where you separated yourself from the team.

What did coach have you practice on this week that, made you separate yourselves, from the Panthers?

We watched film on them, so we knew what defenses they ran.

So we know how to approach it.

And, we just pushed all week now, never stopping, just going 24, seven hard as we can.

And then that's what I think got us to win tonight.

Did it feel like any other game or whether the way things were going for you?

Let's be getting I was a little more nervous than usual game just because obviously the stakes and there's a lot more people here than usual.

But once we got going, once the tip got said, it was just like a normal game and we just knew we had to keep pushing like University of Coach, get Coach Irwin when you retire.

Congratulations.

I mean, you got a great, you know, reputation for basketball there in, in Bingham.

But, now you got a girls championship here.

That's got to mean everything to everybody.

Let's definitely, as these girls, since last year in the loss to Southern Aroostook, they went on a mission.

Madeline and Liana call that our revenge tour.

And, again, they've been working hard all year long in the off season, and they've done everything it takes to be champion.

And they're incredibly good kids, so they deserve every bit of everything they get before.

So Dominic's the last question, what is it like to win a gold ball with three granddaughters on the team?

Well, they're all my daughters on this team, I'll tell you that.

All right.

It's great.

No, it's great.

All right.

Very good.

Ladies, congratulations.

Gather in here.

You know what this is all about?

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

Oh, family never had they never had the opportunity to do that before.

And they did it for Jim Baynes right now the Valley High Cavaliers state champions for 2025.

We'll take one final break and come back and wrap up game number one after this 4728 the final Valley High the 2025 class C girls champs.

Back after this at the cross.

At the Cross Insurance Center.

Julie, this has been a good one here this afternoon and lucky to be able to be here and be a part of it.

My cheeks hurt from smiling just watching what victory looks like in the shot today from the Valley High.

Cavaliers going to wrap up coverage of game number one of our broadcast.

But stay tuned.

Game number two coming up next just take the Marines taking on Saint Dom's in the boys class.

The final for everybody involved are cable producer Curt Chadbourne Andre Cormier, our director Rodney Barrel.

Everyone out in the truck.

We appreciate all their hard work.

Our sideline reporter Gimenez and the broadcast partner Toby Nelson saying so long.

Final score in this one.

The Valley High Cavaliers 47 and the Central Aroostook Panthers 28.

You've been watching a live coverage of state championship basketball from the nation, state public television.

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