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From the.

From the cross insurance AA boys class AA State Championship presented by Wear Butler between the Windham Eagles and the South Portland Red riots.

And good evening, everyone.

Welcome.

Inside a jam packed cross insurance arena.

I'm Rob Kennedy along with Jared Richmond.

Last four years when they say the color of royalty is purple, but not in class double A it's been either a maroon and black or red and white the last four years.

And Windham the Eagles like winning their first gold ball so much last year.

They're back here again.

Well this has the makings of a classic Robin attack is all the ingredients.

You got firepower.

You got Christy Dixon many Hidalgo two Mr. Maine basketball semifinalist.

The last three gold balls in Double-A belong to these two teams.

And guess what?

They played a classic in the middle of the season.

We got another good one tonight, Joey.

Say two of the teams I have for some familiarity.

The rematch could even be better than the first one.

And it was a one point game.

As you mentioned, Windham number two in class Double-A North 17, and for the class AA South Red riots, 16 and five South Portland.

Also going for posterity as well.

If they win this one, they will have their 14th Gold Ball, which is the most basketball titles in Maine history.

Yeah, coach Kevin Millington really has that thing going there.

I mean, a down year for them.

Last year was a quarterfinal loss.

They won the two previous gold balls.

Before that they wanted to get back here.

And they are here tonight.

And they're looking to complete the second sweep of the day here in the Cross Insurance Arena.

Our sideline man tonight once again is Greg Levinsky.

He is standing by at the sidelines with Windham Eagles head coach Chad Pocono.

Let's send it down to him because the energy here already is incredible I know your guys feed off of it.

What are you looking for from them to start?

Just just have a lot of fun.

You know, have a lot of fun in this match up.

Everyone wanted to kind of see this matchup.

You know, we're excited.

I know our community is excited.

I know their community is excited.

So will be a great one.

What challenges the South Portland bring to the table?

I mean, obviously, Manny, you know, man is, a great player.

And, you know, he kind of makes them go and, you know, they're just an athletic team.

They're a confident team.

So, you know, we just got to be at our top, top game.

But look how much you guys.

Thanks very much Greg.

So for the Red riots again their first goal gold ball over 100 years ago 1922 was their first one.

Most recent 2023 a couple of years back knocked off Portland 5242.

Right here on this floor trying to get three out of four here taking on the defending champs.

And Greg's made his way down to talk to the South Portland head coach Kevin Millington.

What's in it down to Greg now.

Coach your teacher.

When am I have to ask.

How was the week and what were the hallways like?

Yeah, it was it was good.

It was, I think everyone had fun with it a little bit.

The kids had fun with it.

And, you know, I love those kids at Windham.

And I love the community.

And, you know, you see the great turnout they have.

So this is all good for me.

Like to have all this is just going on.

So it's a win win situation for you.

How do you make sure that your guys come out with a win tonight?

Well we going to have to keep them out of the paint.

They're such great playmakers when they get in the paint.

And that's that's an easier said than done thing.

But that's going to be you know, gap integrity.

We say all right good luck coach.

Thank you.

Thanks guys.

Back to you.

Thanks very much Greg.

Now let's take a look at the road to goals.

Play.

Take a look here in the Windham Eagles 17 and four on the season 67.05 points.

Again that was number one not just in Double-A North but statewide South Portland 58 points a game.

They went 16 and five on the regular season 56 points against for the Windham Eagles, 49 for the Red riots.

You take a look at the tournament rank.

They're both number two in their region.

And they got here by beating Edward Little 5549 to the Windham Eagles and a 4934 win over Bonny Eagle in the regional finals for the Red riots.

And as we talked about these guys, well, you want to go balls.

You don't have to look that much further than the Windham Eagles and the Red riots.

Three straight gold balls between the two teams.

Windham also knocked off Portland, 6556, in the regional semifinals, opened up by beating Bangor 76 to 40.

South Portland knocked off number three Scarborough 6345 and then defeated Gorham 6242 before that victory over Bonny Eagle.

That got them here to this contest.

Some of the players to watch.

Well, take your pick.

There's tons of them.

Yeah.

Again we talked about, you know, Manny Hidalgo.

Everyone's talked about him all week.

But you got Gabe Jackson.

He had eight in that, regular season matchup.

He averaged ten points a game in the regional tournament for the Red riots.

And of course Carmine Susie.

He's another strong player for them.

Ten points a game during the tournament as well.

You take a look at Windham.

Well, where else can you look Tyree James all right.

He had five for Southport in the regular season including five threes.

Averaged 14 points a game in the regional tournament AJ Moody as well.

Keep your eye on him.

What he can do seven rebounds on average during the semis and the finals.

Big Ben Dixon as well averaging 16 points on the regular season two number 30 for Windham.

It's a cornucopia of talented players, as you would expect in a Gold ball game.

And our final game of the season here, man, it goes by really fast.

This is what the players, that's what the goal they set for themselves be playing the last possible opportunity.

And here's Windham and South Portland's want to send it over to the PA. Announcer and get introduced to these two teams.

The Windham Eagles in the South Portland Red riots.

Other.

Up.

Close.

Association welcomes you to Cross Insurance Arena for the 2025 NBA Invitational Basketball Tournament.

Presented by Where Butler Buildings Supply.

Tonight's game is for the state championship in boys class.

It features the visitors in the maroon uniforms with a record of 17 wins and four losses.

The Northern Maine champion Eagles of Windham High School.

Taking on the home team in their white uniforms with a record of 16 wins and five losses, the Southern Maine champion Red Riots of South Portland High School.

At the table, the official scores Ellen Durkin, timer Scott Saint hours.

Scoreboard operator Tyler to the music coordinator Jake Hodgkin, our onsite certified athletic trainer.

And Marie Griffin Bouchard.

The referee is Mr. McGinnis.

Umpires.

Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Ricker.

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, we place 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 of the 2025 NBA Maine State Basketball Tournament presented by Where Butler Buildings Supply.

Now let's introduce the players first from Windham number three Joseph Blige.

Number four.

And Lucas Hammond.

Number 12 Isa Antonio.

Number 13 James Onions.

Number 15 Luke Trotter.

Number 20 Grant Coffey.

Number 22 Colin Gentry.

Number 23 Landon Weimann.

Number 24 Sean Lavelle.

And number 33 Boston Francis.

Now let's meet the players from South Portland.

Number ten here.

Conger.

Number 11 Anthony Tyler.

Number 12.

Baraka Kodak.

Number 22 tide.

O'Donnell.

Number 33, Addison Ley.

Number 45 Kai.

Turner.

And number 50, Tristan Saunders.

Now it's time to meet the starting lineups from Windham.

A junior guard.

Number one AJ Moody.

From South Portland, a junior guard.

Number two, Gabe Jackson.

From Windham, a junior guard.

Number two Tyree James.

From South Portland a senior guard.

Number three Tom Malone, G. From Windham a senior guard.

Number five Connor Gendron.

From South Portland, a senior guard.

Number four Carmine Susi.

From Windham, a senior guard.

Number 21 Grayson Freese.

From South Portland, a junior forward.

Number 13 Darius Johnson.

From Windham, a senior guard.

Number 33 D Dixon.

From South Portland, a senior guard.

Number 30.

Many don't go.

Windham, his coach by chat spoken in South Portland.

His coach by Kevin Millington.

Here we go.

I mean, this place is filled out.

Tremendously packed building here at the Cross Insurance Arena.

Couldn't ask for a better night cap and a cap off of the season here in double AA basketball.

This is a good one.

It's got like we said in the pregame, it's got all the makings of an absolute classic.

And we've seen a couple already this weekend Rob certainly have.

This could be yet another Windham with the Gold Ball last year in overtime win over Gorham speaking a classic 6258.

That was the first time they ever won a regional title.

Now they're here for back to back opportunities.

They're do the same thing South Portland did in 2022 and 2023.

Windham in the Blacks.

So four one in the whites and red.

We get set to go Brady Dixon about to jump.

He's lined up with Darrius Johnson.

We're underway.

Tyree James lost the handle but got it back on our Gendron watch AJ Moody outside.

It gets the opportunity Dixon tried to take it to the hole.

On our front taking on three red riots.

Here's Tyree again.

And we'll be patience as they zip the ball around the perimeter.

Jansen wants a three right off and has it.

Well that's a great piece of ball movement.

They get the game open.

You thought you might have a couple of drives.

Nothing there.

Then you got the kick out jam.

Run gets him going.

Darrius Johnson guarded by Dixon Dotson.

Drop that off to G underneath.

Johnson again goes up strong and hits.

It's still a two man game there between them.

Got it down low and up.

South Portland basketball and Gabe Jackson set to inbound.

Well good.

Mellow G. Well O.G.

still holding on.

Looking for options here.

Doesn't have any yet.

And that's will be picked up off the floor.

That's it.

Over and back as Grayson Freeze had possession and southpaw to get the ball right back.

Yeah.

You're going to get the over and back there.

Just sliding across finding a guy coming back over the line.

Everything was there.

Great hustle by Windham to pick that up.

Tyree James inbound.

He had a huge game in the state final game last year.

That overtime win over Gorham a steal James Jr Dixon Brady Dixon who's ball and will stay with Windham right now Windham doing good job of creating some early turnovers and getting transition here.

Take a look.

Coming down the lane.

Really good job by Minnie Hidalgo to get a hand on that South Portland thing.

It may have gone off of a Windham foot but good defense by Hidalgo James NBA range smokes.

Well you couldn't ask for a better start here.

South Portland talked about gap integrity, but it's been the three point shooting of Windham right away.

Darrius Johnson will get a second chance and Johnson with that great strike down low the junior has for a little bit of a self mike control there up off the glass.

Gets it back finishes in contact.

Oh that's a great take by corner Jan Britt.

Is back and forth action to get things going.

Yeah we beat you with the three.

But we can beat you at the rack to end it all.

Go can do the same thing.

Look at the English on that shot.

Well he makes 3 or 4 of those a game that you're just like how did he do that?

Such great body control.

And like you said, puts the right spin on the ball at the right angle on her and Brian work back down to Dixon and he got stopped by Hidalgo.

And although didn't stop legally, Hidalgo is the help side defender.

He's going to step over and getting just a little bit of trouble here.

There he is on basket line.

Nice little back cut.

Jumps up and tries to make the stop as opposed to just establishing himself under the basket.

Grady Dixon, a 63% free throw shooter, struggled a little bit in the postseason.

Five out of 12, they'll get one more.

Windham faithful out in full force once again, as they were a year ago.

Dixon had 22 points against South Fulton in the regular season, and he's one for two from the line.

A pressure now from the Eagles.

Hidalgo.

But I'll go.

Picked up by Moody.

Johnson taking Dixon to the hole.

Hits it and he'll go to the line for the.

And one that's going to be a problem for Windham continuing Darius Johnson in the paint.

Well it's the move that he makes in here.

He makes everybody look like they're going right.

And he steps back through.

Watch this.

Going to play to his right and finishes back up on the left side.

And really not much Dixon could do about that.

Here he is Johnson 62.5% from the line.

Completes the three point play.

And we're locked up at nine.

Darius Johnson has seven of those nine Chandra gets had six in the regular season against the Eagles.

Threes will go to the baseline taking his first shot.

And he was pushed.

So he will shoot you very big to see who they call this on.

And on Hidalgo watch the back cut here.

Got him out of position.

So I'm going to keep an eye on now with that foul on Manny Hidalgo.

He's hits the first.

He's done very well here in the postseason.

Seven out of eight coming in no.

Eight out of nine.

And he shot just over 75% from the line in the regular season.

That's two fouls in the first 2.5 minutes.

And imagine that man is going to sit on the bench here for the remainder of the quarter.

Tough choices ahead for coach Kevin Millington.

Carmine Susi in the game.

Now he's got the basketball.

Gave Jackson Jackson trying to cut inside.

There's a three from the corner.

No.

And the rebound.

Great grab by Jim Bruno.

Heat Darius Johnson to the ball.

Cameron's got one free fake and it knocked away Jackson Jackson laid that back.

And.

It's a player control foul drawn by AJ Moody.

We'll watch Rudy get in position here.

Center of the lane establishes himself.

That's tremendous defense.

Just gets in position knows impact is coming.

And where is it.

He is a brave defender AJ Moody.

Brady Dixon.

Now it's Tyree James Dixon heads baseline.

Moody from the corner.

No close kicks in the rebound.

He'll go to the line as well.

Tom ology will pick up the foul right now.

Just feels like Windham is winning the battles the spots.

And that's what's creating some of these fouls so far.

And just a half step lead to where they need to be here.

Whether it was on the charge, the last foul on Hidalgo or this one.

South Portland, just a half step slow right now and where they need to get to Dixon one for two.

Last time.

It's the first.

Time O'Donnell in the contest as well.

Number 22 for South Braun.

You see him?

There's Grady Dixon, the Windham senior.

One out of two.

And the rebound.

And Malachi.

O'Donnell called into action early here with many Hidalgo on the bench.

Melo Geo launch from long range rattled out.

There's Johnson for the rebound Johnson strong to the hole again that time two strong and a great tussle for the basketball.

It's a jump ball.

So it'll stay down here.

So we'll keep it.

Take a look here at the replay.

This a big battle inside is physical down there right now.

Great job to tie it up.

Great job by the officials to what we did when they did Gabe Jackson.

O'Donnell South Portland junior handling the basketball and his pocket pick by Jan Brewer has had a great first quarter.

Tyree James spins him oh oh.

Magnificent shot by Tyree James.

Oh my goodness.

And that gets the timeout from the South Portland bench.

But what a finish.

Started on the defensive end with the double team.

And the steal.

And the highlight reel finish.

Let's take a look one more time.

Here comes Tyree James.

Spin move gets around the defender Jackson and spins it home.

Yeah Jackson and Johnson both there spun through both of them.

And that's the kind of finish Tyree James can make.

Looks simplistic.

Trust me it is not.

Nothing simple or easy about that.

Off balance the presence of mind and court awareness to know where he is and what he needs to do to finish that.

Not afraid to use the backboard either.

And Jackson can't defend that any much better than he tried to right there as well.

James just made a tremendous move and that was the result.

O'Donnell handling the basketball again.

Now it's Gabe Jackson Jackson outside O'Donnell baseline.

He got Moody in the air recovered.

And then when the fans want to push off they're the three won't go.

The putback certainly will by Darius Johnson who has been everywhere.

The offensive end of the floor nine points in the first quarter.

He is doing it all right now.

And South Portland weathering this early storm right.

No Hidalgo he's in foul trouble.

When to making some shots and here you go.

Chance to tie it up allows you with a steal.

He'll fire that up and basketball will go to Windham.

Well OJ thought he was fouled and went down to the deck as well.

Moody comes over to help up more energy.

We'll see it here.

I think he just doesn't.

Is it sure.

What he wanted to do there gets kind of tangled in.

He stepped on his foot actually I think so.

Yeah.

Weird.

Gather to the ball.

Kind of ended up in this is just on our end Brian Tyree for three not quite.

And the rebound to Jackson.

Jackson in a hurry.

Yeah it's a kick it back outside to O'Donnell.

Gabe Jackson at the elbow.

Stepped underneath.

Got the shooter's roll.

Wow.

Talk about a post move coming down the lane by Gabe Jackson.

Step through and finger rolls it in AJ Moody Dixon they dare him to shoot.

It was blocked.

Loose on the floor.

Picked up by McGee.

What a great atmosphere inside this cross insurance arena.

Game Jackson to the hole for two.

Well he's come to life here a little four zero run of his own.

And he's doing it with great strides down the middle.

So Carroll with a lead of two.

Brady Dixon.

Freeze underneath.

And he's earned a trip to the line.

Oh good job by freeze here.

Sees the open gap and decides to take his chance.

Is coming down the center of the lane going south Portland in a bit of foul trouble.

Here again.

Late Hedges.

Good.

See who they call that on that one would make the most sense.

And that's exactly who it's against.

All three of these hits.

The first.

Joseph Blige will come in for Windham, will take on a genuine spot.

Embrace and freeze.

About to be replaced as well.

And Susie just let the ball handle get by him instead of keeping him in front and playing with a little bit of space, try to get up and be a little handsy.

There.

Melo's use the fingertips for that rebound.

Jackson Wise gets the hard work of defending Jackson and he'll pick up the foul.

Well they've they've got something right here with Jackson coming around the corner and getting down the lane.

They've done this the last 2 or 3 times down the floor.

Just a late hedge right there.

It's actually Tyree James going to call for the foul.

As you saw.

They're reaching in for John I feel like I say this all the time from back when I was coaching the now you heads with your feet and not with your hands.

You can't lunge in.

Use your feet.

You play defense with your feet.

Jackson.

He'll head to the line as well.

No easy buckets in the paint.

That's on Joseph Blige this time.

Nothing easy.

The rebounding, the buckets.

The splash comes in late.

So all things considered here, South Portland with a one point lead and a chance to build on it.

Considering all the adversity they faced here in the early going, the most of this will be any at all.

Go on the bench.

Anderson will come in the South Portland senior number 33.

He's been on the bench since there's 535 to go.

545 to go in the quarter.

The real early you know a rebound for Dixon.

Two point lead for the Red riots.

Dixon and Moody playing pass.

Now Blige.

Back outside to AJ Moody again.

James going baseline and a little red riots there Colin Jackson for three.

Got it.

Well that's how you answer the run right there.

That's all sophomore stepping up and burying it.

Sophomore off the bench.

They run.

Nice cycle.

Get him off the high screen.

Wide open at the top of the key for three.

Lay finding Milos you to answer back to strong and rebound a Tyree James is Eagles with a one point lead into the corner Dixon fake the three Colin Chandran to James a floater.

No.

Excellent defense by Gabe Jackson who came in on the baseline.

Tiger O'Donnell Gabe Jackson for three.

No.

And the rebound the quick back good for two from ology.

And nobody had Melo.

He comes flying down the lane for the offensive rebound.

Appeared out of nowhere.

The senior South Portland back on top.

30s remaining in the quarter.

The arrow pointing in Wyndham's direction.

Eagles would love to score and get the ball right back there playing for the final shot.

Yourselves organized here.

Dixon waving Tyree James over.

He's bringing company and Tiger O'Donnell.

Now James will set things up.

James around the moody screen picked up immediately by Jackson Dixon.

Baseline.

He hits a cutting.

Glides for two at the buzzer.

The Eagles take the lead.

Look at the ball right back.

What a start to this contest here in Portland.

Second quarter coming up on Maine Public Television.

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The environment is just awesome.

Great campus.

Small, close knit community.

Everyone's very welcoming.

Everything feels very personal.

Feel like you belong here.

An atmosphere fit for a championship basketball game and the fans being treated to a great one so far.

Hope you're enjoying it.

Was well, wherever you're watching tonight, whether it's inside the state of Maine, whether it's anywhere around the world, plenty of countries tuning in and get the results as far as the stats coming up later on.

We're set to go here to start the second quarter.

Brady Dixon right in front of us will get us underway.

Jackson with the basketball.

And Hidalgo still on the bench for now.

A little trouble there for Collin Gendron.

Played ahead.

And that's up and in for Darius Johnson.

Two more for the junior.

11 points for Darius Johnson.

Just an absolute great performance.

Nowhere to go.

They're shutting the gaps down really well against Windham right now.

Elijah with that big shot at the buzzer.

We go back and forth South Portland by one.

It'll be a seesaw battle.

AJ Moody he's been kept quiet so far.

As far as the points.

Watch into the paint.

Was forced back out of there by Addison Blake Joseph Blige again.

Jackson fakes the three kicked out clutch.

Hold on to it.

Was that touch still wasn't South Portland basketball?

Well, coach Kevin Millington of South Portland talked about it in our pregame interviews.

And he said gap integrity.

And you can see any time that Windham tries to get down the lane, it is shutting the door on them.

Nowhere to go.

At some point you got to think, you know, they're going to start trying to kick out again a little bit.

They hit three threes in the first quarter.

Did Windham but after a while the internal clock the patience James with a steal.

Here come the Eagles stolen back.

But monologue couldn't quite keep that in bounds.

So the Eagles will keep it.

Bryson I'm bracing for his returning to the game now.

Some quality minutes for Joseph Blige, who exits led Katie Dixon in transition there.

But again really good job by Melo getting his hands in there and making it difficult.

There's nothing easy for either team tonight.

Both these teams pride themselves in their defense.

Dixon watched by Maloney calling in front.

Dixon fakes the three.

Tyree will take the three.

No.

With a rebound knocked out of Dixon's hands and right to Maloney.

Played ahead to O'Donnell.

O'Donnell waits for help.

Right.

Riots recalculate.

They'll start again.

Screen set by Johnson.

O'Donnell going to take it to the hole or into a double team as James came over the open for three Gabe Jackson Bravo for the game.

Well Tyree James has to go down and help on the drive.

And in the scramble gets lost.

And then Gabe Jackson wide open as hard as he tried to close out on it to Tyree James.

Just a he lays the goal short.

Dixon on the baseline.

He was.

Like excuse me.

Come on Susie.

Back into the contest for South Worlds.

Good thing for South for they can keep this lead.

They can keep it all go on the bench.

It's going to be a tough place to go regardless.

Great defense.

By South Portland game Jackson switching hands.

Mooney.

Excellent defense with Dixon.

And they make the steal.

You scratch that.

It was jam for not Dixon who helped out on that theft.

Brady Dixon to Colin Gendron AJ Moody likes that shot.

Not that time though.

Under the rebound for Darius Johnson.

And back to O'Donnell.

Kick back outside A little reckless by Johnson.

Stolen by James Tyree James may have got away with a double dribble.

There.

Freeze baseline James Moody open but a foul called before the shot.

I mean, they're letting him play.

It's a physical game out there and they're generally letting them play here.

Take a look on the replay as he drives in that one handed pass.

But he's going to get tripped on the side there by O'Donnell.

And the first out of the quarter.

So I'll call him but doesn't leave AJ Moody open like that too often though.

No oh for two in that spot.

But it won't take him long to heat up Dixon though he can show you how it's done.

Well, I was just about to say we have yet to see a field goal from Katie Dixon.

And then on cue, here he is hitting the big three to get this back to a one point game.

I go, Darnell got stripped.

James and Mooney James two.

Mooney and Dixon with a mooney takes it.

He'll go to the line.

Call for the foul.

I believe.

Oh this is a strong take by AJ Moody.

Averaged ten points in the regional tournament.

Take a look here.

Down the right side.

The contact in the air.

Their chance to kind of take the lead here.

Good seesaw battle between these two teams.

Moody a 63% free throw shooter in the regular season.

And he can't come any closer than that and not get a point.

We'll get a chance to tie in a second shot at us and play back in for South Portland.

Tom Milos, you'll get a rest.

On his second to tie the game is good.

It's two on Balaji now so Hidalgo Mello G with two each and the goggles still on the bench here.

How much longer?

Oh, timeout called by Coach Millington before Tiger O'Donnell got called for a traveling violation.

Well, that's a great job with the quick trigger on the timeout by coach Kevin Millington.

And season end of high school quiz show Maine returns on Thursday, March 20th.

Tune in to watch schools around the state match wits and compete for the $1,000 prize this season.

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

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

It's really the game of chicken.

Now for Coach Millington is how much longer do you sit on the bench here with Manny Hidalgo?

He has not just been on the bench for over eight minutes now.

It's a long time without him on the floor.

22 points in the regional final against Bonny Eagle, 25 points against Windham in January and that one point game winning, by the way, not to compete in here.

They'll also be competing in high school quiz show.

Most wondered how we do on high school quiz show.

I would have wished the high school quiz show existed when I was around high school.

I know there was a thing called Granite State Challenge that New Hampshire Public Television did, but they got still going on in New Hampshire as well.

As Nick Godfrey tells us.

Long running show.

Well, we have one in Maine now.

Tiger O'Donnell.

Johnson back outside.

He's watched by for.

Gabe Jackson.

Here comes Hidalgo to check in.

Jackson working on Moody spins and hits off the glass.

Well, I'll tell you what.

We talked about the firepower and the star power.

Everyone highlighted Manny Hidalgo, and rightfully so, but it's been the supporting cast.

If you ever want to call him that.

They're all just so explosive and brain off the iron.

Moody had the rebound almost stolen right back from Carmine.

Susie James picked up the foul.

That's two on him.

And that's a tough one to take.

You lose the rebounding battle and get caught behind.

If you're Windham you got to kind of feel like you had an opportunity here to really change the dynamic of the game with a dog about as we take a look here at the foul right there.

Yeah, it's trying to tie it up.

But now Hidalgo is back in challenges.

He can't try and get back that whole quarter in one possession.

Try to get two points right away and didn't.

But he sets up Darius Johnson for two more.

Just a tremendous offensive rebound.

Six in the game so far for the South Portland Red riots.

And they have been making to pay on those offensive rebounds.

Here's a pass underneath finished off by Grady Dixon Tyree James A surgical pass to find him out down low.

I mean Susie gave that to Jackson Susie launches its it's a three for Susie.

Great ball movement right there.

Collapse the defense.

Kick out.

He had five threes in the quarterfinals.

So stay with the Eagles and find themselves down by five.

This morning Cass you get everyone in the action a very hard team to stop offensively.

Chandran Jackson going baseline Chandran into the paint.

Here's AJ Moody off the glass.

That's an incredible cut by Moody.

Not only because he's attacking a congested area but the the spacing and tempo with which he does it.

And an unbelievable will pass by.

Collin Gendron.

Jackson.

No.

Johnson.

No.

Put back.

Yes.

That's Addison Blake.

Well right there we thought hey now it's Carmine Susie come in and say hi.

How are you doing.

Good game.

You're playing well but again offensive rebounding right now three straight offensive rebounds down there for South Portland.

They're able to get the score off of it AJ Moody inbounding the basketball to trading Dixon.

Windham trailing by five.

220 remaining in the first half.

Dixon doubled.

Susie I think he'll get assessed this foul I think he will.

If it is him, it's going to be the second.

It is Carmine.

Susie.

Yep.

We're right here again.

Reaching in across.

You don't need to reach.

Just keep him in front of him.

Brady Dixon on the inbound pass.

Follow it.

And his way to the bucket.

He'll get a chance to shoot a couple and pull Windham even closer.

Yeah, it's all about just keeping everybody in frame here late.

Help coming across the land.

There are two shots.

Dixon back at the line again.

They'll get one more.

See, just a little bit of frustration from Dixon.

Two for five right now from the free throw line.

Would like to just that number.

And he does.

Well it's a four point game and all.

Go wants a teammate to pass to I want to go up the floor Jackson came back to help out.

He's got the basketball now.

That speed from Jackson outside Susie for three.

Close but no rebound.

Volleyball around until Colin Jarman took it down.

Dixon player control foul.

The basket will count for Addison Blade offensively for drawing the charge.

Well now Portland is getting in space in position in time here.

Bang bang call at the rim there.

But a little bit of the shoulder dip probably is what sold it to the official.

For fouls now on South Portland here in the quarter two on Windham James almost a steal but Jackson got it back Dave Jackson had all go well that's what he can do.

Wouldn't go for him.

And you've got a rebound there like that man right there.

It may not matter how goes.

Got it again.

It's like the third possession tonight that it's been three offensive rebounds for South Portland.

Women's got a space out and control the basketball.

And I'll go great.

Move it.

Roll down.

And steal a term from the past.

The whirling dervish of a play.

Spin move.

Spin it in mini Hidalgo back outside to Moody.

Faking the three.

Going to work inside Tyree James now Jan banana blocks Johnson with a block.

Moody now Dixon for three.

Kaboom.

A little bit of offensive rebounding of their own off the blocked shot.

They stay with the play Brady Dixon pins up ready to make him pay.

And he does.

Three point game and I'll go with a basketball Moody's locking eyes.

Game Jackson and Tyree James the great individual battle that is.

An all ago James trying to pick his pocket 23 seconds to go south bowling clearly playing for one more shot.

They've got the Euro and a three point lead and 15 seconds to work.

Within the zone.

Look here from Windham.

Here comes Manny.

Four seconds, three seconds game Jackson at the buzzer.

Short and the rebound to Ginn.

But he wouldn't have time to do anything with it.

And it's a three point game here at the half.

South Portland ready to throw to thrown the defending champs a 3431 here on Maine Public Television.

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Great night for a state championship game here in Portland.

We'll send it down to the floor.

Mike.

Thank you.

Feed the finance authority of me.

It's an honor to present the sportsmanship banners in boys basketball.

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

The schools we 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.

For.

Tonight we're pleased to recognize and boys class AA South.

The Rams of Gorham High School.

Here tonight to receive the award from the NPA and the Finance Authority of Maine.

Our coaches, Ryan Dassin and Chris Crosby, along with players Caden Dowler, Ty Karen, Isaac Hunter, Preston Brown, Colton Jewett, Aiden Dudley, Tristan here want Andrew Midgley, Renae Braden, Brandon Levesque, Atticus Whitten, Jeffrey Carlos, Jack Giacalone and Griffin Gammon.

Congratulations to the Rams of Gorham High School.

Tonight we honor another school with the Sportsmanship Award.

Please welcome from Boys Class B South, the shipbuilders of Morris High School here tonight to accept the award from the MPAA and the Finance Authority of Maine are coach Steven Stewart, along with players Gage Sutter, Dylan Weiland, Miles Norris, manager Mia Snyder, Peyton James, Ronan Langford, Jackson Murray, Dylan Root, Caleb Harvey, Colton Aucoin, Peyton Price, Julian Carver, Isaac Amundson, and Oscar Garland.

Congratulations to Morris High School.

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They may not com slash Fafsa a 3431 here at the half the class AA state championship game.

The sportsmanship awards.

A lot of pride for the communities.

When teams take those home.

Congratulations to Gorham and Morris for that here for the Gold Ball.

It's been the battle we expected it was going to be.

Jared.

Absolutely, 100%.

Just the up and down action.

I think one of the big things is how South Portland managed that time without Manny Hidalgo picked up those two quick, early fouls, but they were able to spread the work load around.

Six different players scored for them, two in double figures Darius Johnson with 13, ten for Gabe Jackson and just different guys picking up the load.

And then when Manny Hidalgo go back, got back in the game, changed the dynamic a little bit.

Greg Levinsky is down under the basket.

He's got a state champion with him I do believe what's talked Greg.

That's right I have a two time state champion with me.

Jaylen Jackson 2023 South Portland grad and well, the brother of Gabe Jackson.

First of all, what's it like watching your brother playing now at this high school level when you're adopted and played off in college?

It's a bit surreal to be honest.

Obviously, we had a lot of battles in the house growing up, whether I be inside in our room playing on the mini hooper outside.

But it's weird seeing him.

He was a freshman when I was a senior, so we didn't play on the same team.

But it's really cool to be able to be here and see him play for us.

You won two gold balls in your career the last two years.

What are the memories that still come back when you get in this arena and see this situation?

It's, I can't even explain it, to be honest.

It's just thankful to be in the position I'm in.

And, hopefully one day I'm on my guys to do it again.

So hopefully they can feel the same way when they come back.

Yeah.

What do you remember about some of the guys that are still playing?

Obviously you played with Manny.

He was younger.

Some of the other guys.

Yeah, Manny was a spark plug for us my senior year.

He's always been very good.

It shows he got in a bit of, foul trouble.

So you didn't see him a lot in the first half, but if he can stay out, we'll see him in the second half.

I think he'll be able to do some things.

And other than that, some of the other younger guys I played with, I've alwa they've been more role players, but they've all they've always grown and continue to grow and grow.

Sorry.

And yeah.

No sign that says in this position.

So what's it going to take for them to close this one out and take care of the ball?

Trying to find a way to get some stops and stringing together a couple scores on the other end and try to separate themselves rather than trade buckets.

Windham obviously is going to be tough.

They got some talented guys.

But if they can do that, I think they close it out.

Thanks so much.

You guys.

Next year.

Thanks, Greg.

And, Oh geez, Jared, I got to say that I think I might be able to get a new color guy, given the analysis we just heard from Mr. Jackson.

Wow.

I mean, seat's warmer if he wants it right now, but take a look at some halftime stats here.

And.

Yeah, not those.

Not those that the a little more a little more going on than that.

But I can tell you a couple things.

I've picked up on two here in the first half.

The balance from Windham, seven different scorers for them.

Only one player in double figures.

And that's crazy.

Dixon took him a while to get going, but again it's the offensive rebounding South Portland ten offensive rebounds in that first half.

And that really kind of helped extended possessions allowed them to get some points that they otherwise weren't getting on their first or second shot a couple, three times in that second quarter, three offensive rebounds.

You know, the South Portland side, we heard a lot from Tom allergy, a lot even more from Darius Johnson.

And he mentioned Minnie Hidalgo.

Not in the game for very long two for South Point have a three point lead with their Mr. Basketball semifinals being on the bench for more than half of the first half.

That's got to really say a lot about this up Portland team, but just how much talent they possess.

Absolutely.

And again we talked about the balance of what they can do.

Two guys in double figures and just the difference that he's going to make getting back in the game.

You know, if you're Windham, you can't look in the rearview mirror and say man, we wish we took a little bit more advantage of the time that Hidalgo was not on the floor.

They did some really nice things.

I mean, they hit some threes and then what they've got them at five threes here in the first half.

Again South Portland making it tough for them to penetrate Windham.

But Windham is doing a great job on that dish and kick three.

And they've made South Portland pace several times with that.

But a great first half here we eagerly anticipated with the second half scoring to bring it is straight ahead here in Portland's south wall.

With a three point lead here in the half.

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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.

16 minutes of basketball here remaining in the insurance arena.

To find out whether or not the Windham Eagles will match the feet of their opponents.

Winning two straight gold balls or South Pole is going to take three out of four.

Red riots with a three point lead.

Gabe Jackson standing right over here.

He's going to start us off with the basketball.

So Paul wearing the white Windham in the black and maroon head down to our left.

We attack it from right to left here in this second half.

Sit back and joint a second half of basketball here in Portland.

It's waiting for the halftime clock to expire.

But this is a incredibly huge sequence of the game.

We're talking about 2 to 3 possessions here early in the first couple of minutes.

How can you build on this lead if you're South Portland?

If you're Windham can you carve back?

Can you get yourself back in position to take the lead again?

Here starts with this possession.

Here.

Just get those adjustments in see what you're going to do.

You've seen a whole half of basketball from the opposition.

They did a lot of it without Manny Hidalgo to Gary Johnson.

He'll defer to the aforementioned Hidalgo Gabe Jackson.

Great seeing Jaylin.

He's an explosive player.

And Greg Levinsky said great interview and almost as great as the offensive performance tonight.

Is Darius Johnson putting on, spin move and finish inside.

Displaces the defender with body movement.

AJ Moody Moody trying to go baseline on sushi.

Sushi cut him off.

Dixon just kept that alive.

Long Reach by Grady Chandran underneath.

Moody got his man in the air.

No pick up the foul.

But who's it going to be on as it sushi or is it an algo.

We're going to see what the it is here.

That's gonna be all.

I'll go.

That's tough inside.

And now Hidalgo.

Foul trouble.

Back at it.

Picks up a quick third foul here just 41 seconds into the third quarter.

And there's AJ Moody coming with two shots.

He's got one more.

So again decision making time here for Coach Millington.

That's three fouls on Hidalgo.

We're just barely into the second half but nobody at the scorers table.

So he's going to roll with the senior.

Moody hits both as back to a three point game.

And I'll go picked up by Moody.

That's a dangerous match.

He travels.

He did was a late call.

But Mitchell's got it right.

He's going to mention though that it's an interesting matchup too because AJ Moody you've already seen him do it once.

He's very good at taking the charge with three fouls.

Even offensively, Manny Hidalgo is going to have to be very careful, very careful.

The way he gets down the lane with reckless abandon.

That turn over there, I think he was just anticipating Jackson to elevate a little higher now in Hidalgo on the bench.

So South Portland again is going to have to weather the storm.

That's one way to do it right there.

Going right back.

The steal Jackson on Moody.

No a rebound ology.

Who's it going to be.

And it'll stay with South Portland.

Last touched by Dixon there on the baseline.

Really good battle between him and Melo G trying to secure the rebound there.

It has been extremely physical basketball on the inside tonight.

Susi trying to get away from Grayson.

Freeze Darius Johnson and a huge first half of the Red riots.

Dave Jackson and O'Donnell going to the bucket.

Instead it's Balaji taking on three eagles and he scores off the glass.

This is a strong man size.

Take up through contact.

Hands over the ball.

Is he able to muscle it up through and have enough touch to get it to go home?

Three close but no.

And there's the rebound.

Caroline Susi.

O'Donnell.

Johnson lost the handle.

Got it back.

Stripped eventually.

Chandran back down the floor.

It's a two on one with Chris Dixon who's got his man in the air and scores off the glass.

Oh tremendous patience.

Good job of running the floor by Chris Dixon.

Gets into position and then has the wherewithal to know that help is coming defensively.

Let him fly by and give yourself to easy lefty Tom allergy.

O'Donnell and a little daylight but was cut off.

Gave Jackson the floater.

Hits.

Oh what a take again.

Soft floater.

And run outside Dixon fake the three.

Freeze got it underneath.

High arching spinner off the glass for two.

What a take by three.

If it feels like everything's going in that's because both teams are shooting well over 50% here in this game.

In Jackson.

Jackson turning around trying to get by.

Moody mellow G down low and all go.

Nope.

Scratch that.

That was Johnson.

Johnson working hard on the inside there.

Really good double team down here by Windham.

But then they kind of bail him out by getting handsy.

Just get tall and stay tall with both hands up.

You see the left arm right there of Connor Denver and down on the body.

That's why he got called for the foul.

Get both hands up and eliminate a little bit of that.

Johnson will get one more from three.

And a chance to make this a two possession game is call on Jan Ryan back in.

He'll replace Connor Janvier.

So the younger Janmaat replacing Rasheen.

Sophomore in for the senior Johnson second one.

Is good.

Four point lead for P. Randy Dixon Jan van watched by Johnson.

Freeze.

Barry James and Dixon in the corner.

He'll go baseline.

He ran out of space there, but it was knocked out of bounds by the Red riots.

The Eagles keep it.

I love the ball movement here from Windham.

The ball's not sticking at any one point of the floor.

They just get quick reversal change.

The geometry of the defense allowed the baseline drive from Dixon.

It's a couple of inbounds passes now that have been deflected or stolen away here by South Portland.

Go high and then low.

There's a lot of height on that sideline all the way back to Tyree James James hits Dixon underneath.

And Maloney wouldn't allow it.

But Brady's got a chance for two at the line.

Well this is a really good back cut here by Dixon.

And a great find.

It's three fouls on Balaji now.

But watch the back cut low G overplays it and then he's out of position on the back cut.

Really great read like crazy Dixon.

Ready to get one more.

It's a pawn trying to do what Karibu did earlier today.

When?

Two gold balls.

One in girls, one and guys.

They had the four point lead still and they're off to the races below G. Great pass.

Better block Tyree James out of nowhere.

Well that's how you run the floor on defense.

Down the middle is that's where the ball is going.

And man does he timed this up perfectly and sends it out off the hardwood here at the Civic Center.

Jackson inbounds.

Balaji.

Gabe Jackson.

O'Donnell.

Now to Jarius Johnson.

Johnson spinning.

Couldn't work inside and Collins in front.

Jackson.

Old Frye got in and kicks it off the glass for two.

Oh.

Fearless gave Jackson what to take 14 points four in the quarter.

But the way he gets down the lane with strength and power.

Brees rejected a foul call.

Is that a monologue.

You know that's a offensive charge here.

They call it a charge okay.

No insult to injury.

First you have your shot blocked and then you get called for the foul.

When it rains it pours I guess.

So freeze call for the offensive foul.

Eagles fans don't like it.

You can hear him.

This will call him boo birds.

Oh that's two in a row.

It's not the sound I remember Eagles making learning about or anthology growing up.

Yeah.

No I wouldn't even try to make that sound.

Jackson working on Moody.

Tiger O'Donnell and mellow G. Cutting went to Johnson instead.

Mellow G. O'Donnell.

Dixon guarding him.

Six point lead.

Right now, the Red riots possess is their largest of the game.

It's a tremendous possession here from South Portland.

Great discipline and patience.

Jackson shot two strong jam and grabs the rebound.

Here come the Eagles.

Tyree James got the shot.

No it won't count.

He took it extra step.

Well as he gathers to go in he just loses a little bit of control of the basketball.

The acrobatic play here watch.

Here's the gather.

Close but again a little fine line between being fast and frantic.

Moody the steal.

He picks Jackson's pocket and AJ Moody scores.

That's pretty straightforward there.

Huge make for Windham to overcome the miss the turnover.

Create one of your own and score Moody pursuing Jackson again Jackson weaving through defenders hook back goes what a strong rebound and the putback a chef's kiss 13 offensive rebounds for South Portland.

And it feels like they've scored on almost every single one of them.

Gary James they'll work that into the corner.

The long shot rims out and the rebound.

Moody hustling on the floor almost took that away.

Ends up with Johnson.

There he is Johnson down low and it ripped away by Gendron.

Here comes Tyree James with Dixon was knocked away at the last moments.

Good hands by Tiger O'Donnell.

And that'll be Windham possession.

Well it's a couple times now that South Portland has done such a great job running the floor and defensive transition.

You see Tiger O'Donnell get in there.

Get his hand on it.

Knocks it away and all go back in the game.

And that's him.

Blaze about to check in as well A timeout called on the floor.

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That's a big time out here from Windham down six.

The game starting to get a little frantic for them on the offensive end of the floor here.

Settle down just a little bit.

You did a lot of great things when you ran settled offense.

Get that penetration in that kickout.

You've only got three made field goals in this quarter.

Coach Chad Paul Keenan having his say with his voice.

We're back on the court.

And as you see here come the Red riots.

Eagles basketball underneath the bucket.

AJ Moody the junior getting set to take charge.

In Mountain pass stolen by an alert Tom Maloney I don't think Moody ever saw him.

I don't think so either.

That's three alone here in the third quarter inbounds passes that have just either been deflected or outright stolen by South Portland.

Susie, a foul call here.

Late 21 Eagles thought they were going to have a third potentially uncontested layup.

And instead Bryson Freese picks up his third foul.

That's not one that you want to have picked up here for free as he does so many things for you defensively.

You know they don't really ask him to do a lot of scoring.

But what he does defensively is huge for them.

Joseph Blige, who played well in the second quarter, will take his spot.

Johnson doubled.

O'Donnell resets.

Lay watched by Jackson and they'll go.

Picked up by Grady Dixon.

Long range bomb O'Donnell.

No Dixon got the rebound.

Dixon taking on a reverse layup wouldn't fall.

Late decision to go to the reverse lay up there and almost went down.

Hit every part of the iron but the bottom.

O'Donnell.

Susi.

Great catch by Hidalgo to keep that alive and all.

Gore.

Great first step as he shoots over Colin Gendron for two.

Well, if you told Coach Bogan and you held Manny Hidalgo to six through almost three quarters, you'd be ecstatic.

But it's what everyone else is doing.

And Hidalgo has made really critical baskets that really, really critical times as he navigates the foul trouble, Jackson, Susie.

Watching him closely.

AJ Moody behind the arc.

He'll cut inside James for three launches and hits.

Oh, Tyree.

Well, that's exactly what I feel like when the needs to do get that penetration and then hit the kickout three I go.

Donal will restart.

He's got to watch out them a little separation but there's James again hounding him.

He is relentless.

31 seconds to go.

So throwing all this he wants the last shot.

They've got a five point lead.

The arrow belongs to Windham.

Shades of Meadowlark Lemon out there.

Just dribbling all over the place.

Timeout called.

It's a 32nd timeout that'll be taken by South Portland.

O'Donnell just dribbling sideline to sideline.

Back and forth.

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And thanks.

And that's an impressive way to kill off some clock that's being able to dribble back and forth.

You got to have someone that wants to step out.

Huge stop.

Hedge stop.

Slow it down just a little bit.

But one thing it does do here is it burned into the timeout from South Portland.

They've only got two left.

You know Windham keeps this close.

Those timeouts just become more and more valuable.

And the one called by Windham.

So they've got four.

South Portland's two.

And we still got another quarter to play.

Five point game 21.4 seconds to work for the Red riots.

Looking for the last shot.

Some zone being employed by Chad Paul Cummins.

Eagles.

Well this is just to stop dog from getting downhill and trying to create it in one situation.

Or score.

Deja vu from the end of the second quarter.

Windham ended up scoring on that.

Here's Hidalgo kicked outside Gabe Jackson at the buzzer a bit short and some ball will carry a five point lead into the break.

Windham basketball down five.

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Here's the gold ball going across the drawbridge or up route 302.

We'll find out over the next eight minutes.

Brady Dixon will have the basketball.

There's the Windham cheering section hoping for a comeback.

They were down against Gorham last year in the fourth quarter.

Came back to win in overtime.

What about here in 2025.

Passed that download a Gendron and a step there for a moment on Johnson.

Tyree James just nailed a three.

Oh shoot for two this time a little short the rebound though stolen away by Joseph Lynch.

Four points for him tonight.

But they've all been big massive massive points.

Great start to the quarter here for the Windham Eagles.

Doing a good job cleaning up the offensive glass on Balaji.

And they'll go out to take the basketball a battle of number 30 with Brady Dixon.

But algo shot may have been partially blocked by Dixon.

Rebound pops all the way out to O'Donnell.

Why?

Just guarding him.

Jackson on James.

O'Donnell in the corner.

Almost lost it.

Lynch has it.

It's a jump ball.

So good.

Will keep it but window will have Windham will have the arrow going forward.

They will.

Now you get a chance to reset your defense.

Defend the out of bounds pass here on the sideline.

But really really good hustle.

Just as the time ticks away here in a three point game, every possession just becomes more and more critical.

More and more pressure packed game.

Jackson underneath that's blocked James I believe got the hand on that.

Here comes Windham Dixon takes it into the paint.

Open down low.

Is Blige.

Another bucket for the senior.

He has been superb off the bench and he is feeling it.

Oh what a great job.

The defender has to come up to honor Dixon twice.

Gets underneath it.

Wide open for two.

Jackson blazing down the court.

No Johnson had the rebound Dixon knocked it away.

Windham could take the lead.

They were down by eight in the third quarter.

Dixon he'll go to the line a chance to tie it.

And worst is South Portland.

That's four on.

Watch this as he gets down the lane.

The logic a little bit of the body but also the arm coming down the optics of it.

That's a tough one to take.

There.

Tom Maloney picks up foul number four.

Not in a rocket.

Start here for Windham to start the fourth quarter.

This will tie it.

Dixon will get another chance.

He hasn't had bad luck at the free throw line tonight.

He hasn't had any luck at all.

I mean, Susie back in you with those four fouls has to sit.

He makes this.

It ties it up.

He'll feel a little bit better about his situation.

But it's been a tough night at the free throw line.

And that's the Achilles heel for Dixon is so many things.

Well.

And he hits it and ties it up.

Windham is chewed back from an eight point deficit.

Minute back outside Soucy for three.

Close but no no rebound.

Tyree James.

Not the tallest player out there Tyree far from it.

But he can jump and he has a nose for the basketball.

Moody strips got it back, but he's trying to save it.

Pass it to Jackson Johnson hits it.

And one.

Wow what a finish by Johnson.

Watch as he comes flying down the lane.

Finishes with can't take it all starts with Hidalgo on the defensive end getting the ball free and a great bounce pass.

Able to corral it in.

Finishes with the off hand.

Fouls on Collin Janssen chance for a gain.

The three point lead for South Portland.

It's in Darius Johnson's hands.

That's what he does.

Well just like that you break up the five oh run with the end one.

Play back up to Three Rivers kick back outside.

And oh too much basketball shown to Darius Johnson.

Here he comes.

Moody defensively made a great play.

Watch the return from Moody.

Blinds for three.

Too strong but Dixon underneath he couldn't take it back the first time.

How about now it goes.

It's a one point game.

Little doubt for a moment has it hung up there?

But it drove down through the cylinder.

I mean, just a tremendous individual effort down there doing the hard work on the block.

Wide open underneath.

And the Eagles will pay for losing Carmine Susi.

Hey they do.

Everybody kind of hedged over to this side Susie saw the opportunity back cut the hole.

Defense wide open for the layup AJ Moody on Jan Bright.

Bryant's no Dixon can tie the game with one shot Gabe Jackson keeping a very close eye on a physical battle right now down there.

Jan Brennan Johnson heavyweight fight Dixon has to get rid of it and does.

Lies will go to the line.

That's going to be three on Carmine.

Susie really good job on the back cut here by Blige.

Free throws.

So for Windham so far only 50% from the line.

Again watch this back cut here.

Susie caught looking.

Blige A 50% free throw shooter in the regular season.

They'll get one more.

He hasn't had a free throw in the tournament previous to the Knights game.

So make it a two point gap.

If the senior can deliver.

But it does not fall for it.

That's been the problem tonight for the Eagles.

It's been free throws one for one for four in this quarter.

And down three points.

There's your difference Gabe Jackson was contending with him Johnson back outside.

Here's Tiger O'Donnell.

Jackson halfway through the fourth quarter in a three point game.

Shot doesn't fall.

It's volleyball in around the kick out kept alive nicely by O'Donnell.

And now the Eagles have it back.

And a foul called against South Portland's.

Well Hidalgo does a good job to keep this alive on the offensive rebound.

And that's 15 of them for South Portland tonight.

But it creates a quick transition.

Play three fouls now against South Portland on the border.

They have one more to give.

That's on Darius Johnson.

Three fouls now on South Portland as you mentioned just one fouls committed by the Eagles so far here in the fourth.

Gets it.

Trying to cut inside.

Gendron works that down low to James James elevates hits.

Oh and then back within one Tyree James a big bucket for the junior.

It's just a great job to elevate and finish with a soft touch on the short range jumper.

Maloney back in the contest with four fouls.

Shot will go for O'Donnell.

He's got it back.

However Gabe Jackson Tyree James there to defend quickly under three remaining.

What a finish we have coming up for you here in Portland.

Well there's going to be longer possessions here from South Portland.

They want to make sure they get the shot that they want.

Also tough spot here for Windham.

They've only committed one foul in the quarter so they've got some to give.

But it's going to take a bit to get them on the line.

And also Moody draws the charge.

We mentioned how important the defense for AJ Moody would be and how Hidalgo could be lured into that trap.

AJ is absolute lutely fearless.

Look at that.

Steps over.

Gets in position.

That's four on Hidalgo as well.

But you got to ride with him now.

2.5 minutes.

Four fouls.

It doesn't matter.

You need him on the floor.

He can take the lead here.

More importantly that was a foul that they really was there.

Last one to give up Dixon baseline.

Oh nice quick hands by Melo.

He stole it.

And Dixon went down hard.

He's favoring that left ankle just a little bit.

Gabe Jackson is red riots with a one point lead.

The tension mounting here in Portland.

We've got fouls to give if you're Windham.

So if you feel like somebody is going to get by you, you can touch them up.

That will stay with the Red riots.

So with three fouls to give here, if you get beat, don't be afraid to touch them up here and take the foul and not give up the layup right there.

Tried to do it.

There's a three on the way.

It's off the iron.

Johnson's got the rebound.

ESP will start again.

Another offensive rebound for the Red riots.

The logic he'll defer to Hidalgo Manny in the paint.

Jackson the floater.

Too strong.

Tyree James has the rebound.

And that foul will be on Manny Hidalgo.

And he knows what that means.

His participation tonight has come to an end.

We get 60s here to get yourself organized.

You said just trying to make a play here at center court.

You can't fault the hustle by Hidalgo.

That's also foul number five.

So that's going to be a shooting situation here for Windham as well.

Take a look on the replay.

You know got away with one there.

And then he's I mean he's just trying to make a play.

You got to just have a little bit of sense of the moment as far as you've got four fouls.

That's not the one that you need to try and steal here.

If there were ever a time for windham's free, free throw shooting woes to clear up, this is it.

It's been their bugaboo here in this contest.

Free throw shooting is the reason why Windham is down and a chance to atone for that for Tyree James.

Right now, the junior can tie it up with his shot.

And does 92 seconds left in regulation.

And it's locked up at 52.

Shades of 2024 all over again for the Eagles.

And they pull this one off as well.

Kyrie two for number two.

And Windham by one.

And we got a timeout.

Now Windham as well get themselves organized defensively.

For South Portland.

And say guys let's calm down.

We've we can spread this thing out.

We can do a lot.

But the Windham faithful as you see there fans are feeling it.

They want to go back to back.

They have trailed most of this contest.

They were down eight here in the second half.

They've come back to lead by one.

But still a minute and a half to go in this game.

Far from finalized.

They're on an 11 five run right now in this quarter.

Very interesting to see what they do down here defensively.

They're going to bring out some pressure and they've got fouls to give to.

So again like I said if you feel like you're getting beat on penetration don't be afraid to touch them up.

Let's see what the red riots have in mind.

Down a points not being in this position much tonight at all.

Maloney they've got to do this without their star Manny Hidalgo the Mr. Basketball semifinalist Gabe Jackson and Darius Johnson are good pieces to have out there right now.

It was Balaji in Moody.

Take another charge.

He did.

AJ Moody as he walks up the floor laughing, nodding, knowing what he's done defensively.

Here again gets to the spot.

I mean absolutely 100%.

That's fouls on Balaji.

That's five.

He's got him now as well.

So they've lost the two seniors Manny Hidalgo.

They've lost homolog 23 and they're down by a point with 109 to go.

I mean, you talk about the things that make a difference and taking the charge is so huge for your morale as a team because you take away an opportunity from the score.

You're getting the ball back, you deflate them and it takes a lot of guts, like you said, to just get there on time, on plays and be disciplined to absorb that contact and not try and get a block.

Does anybody anticipate contact and relish it any more than AJ Moody does?

Dixon beats the ten second coach Moody.

Oh he thought about it, but he takes the taking stand and hits Windham by three.

The charge at one end a massive bucket at the other end for AJ Moody.

Well in that situation there you got the foul to give.

But Moody feeling a little too much energy right.

You made two great plays and you feel like maybe just take an extra step further, but you can live with that.

And he's showing that he's not backing down Windham still two fouls to give here.

45 seconds to go.

This is Ty O'Donnell.

Carmine Susie with it here.

Lay back outside to O'Donnell.

Moody almost stole that for the tying ball.

Well, they get Johnson for that.

Or is it going to be on Tyron.

And he gets on James.

And I think they're going to get this on Windham here.

Let's watching the rebounding action.

Yeah there's the armbar right up underneath.

You saw his left arm.

That was janvier 22 not two.

Yeah.

And a timeout called here.

The Windham bench trying to encourage their fan base.

And you hear their response.

Windham takes the timeout here just to keep themselves settled and organized.

You're up three with a foul to give.

So again you don't want to foul shooters.

You see the South Portland cheerleaders firing up the student section over there for the Red riots.

But situationally you have the foul to give.

You certainly don't want to foul shooters.

Do you feel like again, I feel like I'm a broken record here.

If you're getting blown by, it's going to be okay to give that last foul.

You can be a little bit aggressive.

You're up three, but you don't want to step out.

You don't want to foul shooters.

South Portland has not made a three in this half.

The Eagles are bouncing.

They are feeling a back to back championship of their team is not out of distance yet.

They're still in range of this red riots club.

Windham has the arrow.

Both teams with two timeouts left.

They're both six seconds.

South Portland with the basketball.

Here's some pressure from the Eagles.

Gabe Jackson entrusted with the inbounds play.

O'Donnell Jackson for the tie.

Oh.

So close.

Dixon has the rebound a pass Mooney.

Oh what a play.

Here's Tyree too strong as Ty O'Donnell came over and a foul called as James down on the deck.

Also Johnson was as well.

He's helped up.

You be against Windham I believe.

That's on Tyree James.

And now the Eagles do not have fouls to give.

Boy that Jackson shot when he left his hands.

You would have bet the house that it was going to be a tie game.

Timeout taken.

The Eagles taking their break.

They have one left now.

And just so many different scenarios or permutations of things you can do here.

You know the book says 18 seconds to go up three.

We're going to not get beat by a three.

Don't be afraid of a foul.

But I don't think you need to do that until they break half court.

Right.

You're going to try and get a couple of traps here.

You're going to make it difficult for them to get over the timeline.

And then if you can't get a trap or two in the front court, then you can start to think about that foul, put somebody on the line.

I can see the crowd here.

There are very few empty seats, as you can see, a packed house witnessing a tremendous finale for the 2024 2025 basketball season.

They're going to leave Dixon back here to kind of play free safety as well.

17 seconds for the Red riots to force overtime.

And South Brown will take the time out.

Now they're down to one left.

I like just enough pressure.

Make them come up over the floor.

But you also directed him away from the bench here.

So understanding where you're going to get the ball for the inbounds here at about the 28ft marker.

So.

You got to drop your best play of the season right now for Coach Millington.

Whatever's left in the tank you want to spend it right here.

And again if you're Windham I don't know if you necessarily need to defend the inbound or and really just try and double where the ball comes in immediately.

If you can get an immediate trap and stop the rest of the flow of the play.

Or I'm talking myself into you.

Defend the.

The inbound are so hard to make that inbound hard to try and get a five second call or cause coast coach really thin to burn his last time out here with 13.6 seconds left.

But man, we've been treated to a great double final here tonight Jan Vernon blinds coming out.

Moody Dixon.

Tyree.

James.

Carmine.

Susie Addison.

Bley.

Tiger O'Donnell, Abe Jackson and Darius Johnson on the floor for South Portland.

Clock rolling with 13 seconds.

They're going to play it straight up.

Tiger O'Donnell here.

Jackson's got a hurry on the four seconds.

Jackson has to get rid of it and does.

And it won't be enough.

The Eagles have gone back to back.

Talk about trusting your defense to just play it straight up on the out of bounds play.

And they played tremendous man to man defense there in that situation.

Just suffocating no where to go.

You see coach poking it with.

Just what a job.

What a job by this Windham Eagles team.

Last year at this time they never won a gold ball.

Now they have two.

It took overtime last year.

We thought it might get there this year.

But the Eagles defense forced the miss from Jackson.

And the Gold Ball is heading up route 302 to win the main.

It became evident very quickly that Windham was not going to foul up three.

They were going to let this thing play out and to not foul on the three point shot.

It was close quarters there, but just enough disruption, no space to work there.

And what a hard fought battle between these two teams.

What a tremendous fourth quarter AJ Moody taking those charges, getting in place defensively and when you had a rough night at the free throw line and you needed a pair Tyree James stepped up and he nailed them both in a big way.

I'm just glad we don't have to pick an individual player of the game for this game tonight for the Eagles, because the 2025 state champs had so many players step up at different times, it was Moody taking those charges, hitting a big bucket at the end, Joseph Blige coming off the bench to score four huge points.

The generals they were great tonight Grady Dixon of course frees everybody got this contest contributed to the Eagles victory.

And it was everybody in different ways at different times too.

It wasn't just any one thing that you needed to try and take away.

I mean Katie Dixon, he had that big layup late, made a big free throw.

They dealt with adversity throughout the course of the game.

You know free throw shooting was tough on them.

But they just persevered.

They stayed with it.

And what a job tonight by the Windham Eagles.

Absolutely phenomenal performance by both teams.

And Pat Moody looking down someplace a great booster for Windham basketball.

He passed away this past November or the season started.

He got to see his team win the Gold Ball in 2024.

Somewhere.

He's smiling watching them repeat in 2025.

Well, you saw right as it happened.

You see the shirt that Coach Chad Pocan is wearing.

He took off his quarter zip all the coaching staff.

He turned around and pointed at this Windham crowd behind it had Moody right across the back of his shirt and what a great job by this team to battle.

And especially, you know, after that loss in the regular season, you know, that they circled March 1st on their calendar and said, we want another crack at South Portland.

And the only way to do that is to meet them here.

And they certainly did that.

Eagles started out the year 12 and one.

That lone loss was to South Portland.

They had a rough week, lost three in a row in January Oxford Hills, Cheverus and Lewiston.

And the Eagles said that's enough.

We're not losing again five in a row coming into this game.

Six in a row now with their 18th victory and second gold ball.

And they held South Portland to just five points there in the fourth quarter.

And again remember an eight point deficit.

Yes that's what they face here in the second half.

They came back to erase that 11 point swing to win by three.

Now look at them climbing the ladder to cut down some nets falling over in there with the scissors.

They'll be back next year.

So AJ Moody and Tyree James.

Also of of note will be the last double play champion for a while.

With reclassification next year, it'll be this Single-A.

But it's relishing in this moment here.

What a great game.

Great game between two outstanding teams and the emotional win for the Windham Eagles.

You see them grabbing different pieces of nylon out of that feeling to cut down the nets.

Last year they do it now I mean no no feeling in the world as a coach to watch your players climb the ladder and cut down the nets and for the players, I mean, I love that each of them get to take a little piece of the net home.

As you see, they continue to cut down the nets and celebrate and.

On our Javan, it's like he's about to climb the ladder.

Just a gutsy, gutsy performance here from Windham to win is what you can call this one.

Absolutely.

Southmoreland didn't lose this game.

I don't feel Windham now just snatched the gold ball out of their hands.

And you want to talk about just tremendous efforts from them I mean Darius Johnson Gabe Jackson with great nights for the Red riots.

But it just felt like there was a moment where Windham put their foot in the ground and said, okay, this is the line, and we're going to be pushed back any further.

AJ Moody up there with Connor Gendron.

Yep, they'll finish the job.

And there's Joseph Lies over there on the left.

You can't win games without some role players coming in and putting up quality huge minutes off the bench.

And Joseph Blige boy did he fit that description tonight.

You know absolutely what he did.

I mean only six points.

But it's all the other things that he did throughout the course of the game.

Just defensive pulling the ball away being disciplined when you needed to be disciplined.

Here we go.

Let's celebrate.

Windham.

Celebrate.

An orthodox double wage.

Look at the smile on AJ Moody's face.

A situation where a picture is truly worth a thousand words as he grins, comes down and puts on the net like a Hawaiian lay right around his neck.

And it just, you know, you can just tell how much pride and effort he was putting into taking those charges and what he he just knew that that's what he needed to do to make the difference in this game.

Huge second and six points in the second half nine for the game.

But the number of charges he took and the times that he took them and the situations, it's never not, never a bad time to take a charge.

But that last one and you saw it coming.

Two you talked about Manny Hidalgo not allowing him to get down the lane.

How dangerous that after four fouls it would be and picked up his fourth one on that charge as well?

Jimmy Carter.

Joe game.

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

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

You've represented yourselves, your communities, and main basketball in an outstanding manner for the seniors on both teams.

Thank you.

Thank you all for your leadership throughout your high school basketball careers, and we wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.

On the court representing the Maine Principals Association, our Eric Curtis, athletic administrator at Bonny Eagle High School and Andrew Pelletier, athletic administrator at Morris High School and representing where Butler Building Supply is.

Colleen Carroll operates since manager, and Max Ravello, the Madison store manager.

To begin the award presentation, I would ask head coach Kevin Millington to come forward with his assistant coaches Connor Hanson, Tanner Hyland, Nick Constantine and Ryan Porter and assist with the presentation of awards.

Juniors Gabe Jackson.

Darius Johnson.

Ty O'Donnell.

Kai Turner.

Trystan Saunders.

Seniors.

Tom Malone, G. Carmine and Susie.

Here.

Kanga.

Anthony.

Tyler.

Baraka.

Odot.

Addison.

Blaise.

And Manny.

Hidalgo.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association.

And where Butler Buildings apply, it is our pleasure to present the runners up plaque for the 2025 Maine Class AA Boys State championship to the Red Riots of South Portland High School.

Congratulations on an outstanding tournament and an outstanding season.

And now to present the awards tier 2025 Maine Class AA State Basketball Champions of Windham High School.

I would ask head coach Chad Jokinen to come forward along with his assistant coaches George Macgillis, Jeff Grigsby, Noah Estes and Chris Sargeant.

Beginning with the manager, Nick Morey.

Freshman Shawn LaBelle.

Boston Cronus.

Sophomores Luke Trotter.

Colin Gendron.

Landon Wineman.

Juniors AJ Moody.

Tyree.

James.

Seniors.

Joseph.

Blige.

Lucas.

Hammons.

Connor.

Gendron.

Isa.

Antonio.

James.

Ammons.

Grant.

Copy.

Grayson.

Freese.

And Katie Dixon.

On behalf of the Maine Principals Association and where Butler Buildings apply.

It is our great pleasure to present the championship Gold Ball trophy for the 2025 Maine Class AA boys basketball championships.

To the Eagles of Windham High School.

Congratulations from all of us to the NBA and where Butler Building Supply enjoy celebrating your championship.

I think you're going to follow that advice.

It's good advice.

Winning certainly gets addictive.

They got the taste last year.

They come back and repeat this year.

Windham with a 5552 victory over South Portland.

We'll step aside.

We come back.

We'll talk to the victorious class AA state champs.

Frank Lewinski will join them.

Coming up next here on Maine Public Television.

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Unlock your possible@thomas.edu then environment.

It's just awesome.

Great campus, small close knit community.

Everyone's really welcoming.

Everything feels very personal.

I feel like you belong here.

Winning meals, gathering for that celebratory picture.

Already had one taken.

They'll grab a second one here as well as you.

Take a look at AJ Moody and the rest of the team with that gold ball for the second straight year.

Just two times has Windham playing for a Gold Ball 2024 and 2025.

And both times they walk away.

Champions.

I mean, like you said, winning is addictive.

Gold fever right.

Once you once you figure out that recipe of how to do it, you know it's a recipe that's difficult to replicate.

But when you understand the parts and the pieces that go into it, you give yourself a fighting chance.

And they had to they had to do everything tonight, and they had to do everything right late in the game early that fourth quarter, 13 to 5.

Just tremendous defense when they needed it the most.

You know, there were some things that didn't go their way offensive rebounding and free throws.

But they found a way.

Let's go check in with the champs right Levinsky down at courtside actually the middle of the court.

We'll check in with him right now.

The state champs here are the not one time for the two time state champion Windham Eagles.

So it's Dixon leading scorer today I mean you know one of the hearts and souls of this team to see the program where it is now or where you're leaving it.

How does it make you feel.

It's just amazing.

We're it's amazing team.

We're all brothers and it's nice to do it again.

Yeah, it's.

You love playing.

You play such a so much energy.

You don't care if you score.

What's your approach to this game?

And how do you make sure your guys came out on top?

I had one thing, and that was to stop one of their best players, and I thought I did my best at that.

And I had my brothers right behind me contributing, doing their best help side, and they brought it here with me.

It's not it's not a one person.

It's a team thing.

And we have the team for it.

Yeah, yeah.

And how much does this community mean to you and your family?

Oh, I mean everything.

I mean, without them it would be a horrible journey.

But with all of them, all of our brotherhood right here.

So easy.

It's such a nice journey.

And I mean adversity, adversity hits.

But look at us now.

We did it a year.

Can you coach coach.

These guys go back to back obviously a hard fought game against South Portland.

What do you say about your team?

Man these guys are just champions man.

They're champions from day one.

You know, they're just so resilient.

They stick together.

We were down, obviously.

We've been been there before.

These guys, they deserve all the credit.

These good.

These guys are great.

I love these guys.

Congratulations.

Congratulations, everybody.

Thank you.

Back to you guys.

There's the words brotherhood and love.

It came through in that interview from the Windham players and of course their head coach King.

And as they win the gold ball 5552 for the second straight year in a row.

Yeah.

And you talk about you know, AJ Moody said, you know, I had to shut down one of their best players.

That was Manny Hidalgo.

Held him to six points tonight.

Just a really gutsy defensive effort by him and the entire team.

But again you know they did it.

I mean you could just see how much that team cares plays for each other and got the job done tonight in the biggest stages in the biggest moments.

What a way to end the season, Absolutely.

I mean, it feels like the season just started and here we are.

Time up.

That'll do it for our broadcast and that'll do it for the 2025 basketball season.

I want to thank my color commentator Jared Richmond.

Greg Levinsky down the sidelines, the captain Nick Godfrey back on the truck steering the ship.

My name is Robert Kennedy saying so long.

Congratulations to the Windham Eagles state champs again.

You're in Maine Public Television.