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- From the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, it's the 2026 MPA Boys Class B State final, presented by Hammond Lumber between the Rout Clippers and the Gardner Tigers.

- Good evening and welcome back.

Inside the Cross Insurance Center, I'm Brent Stevens, along with Coach Ken Lindoff and we have one gold ball, decided the Lawrence Bulldogs winning the girls side of things and now we get ready to hand out more gold and determine another gold ball.

And this one should be a fun one as well.

This is gonna feature the Yarmouth Clippers and the Gardner Tigers.

- Yeah, and I think we have what we do have a great matchup.

Both teams are coming in with a lot of confidence.

Both teams are on a roll the way they finished the season, both teams really had a, a great tournament and there's little to choose from between these two teams.

Very similar in style.

Both teams are exclusively man to man and the, the key word here is matchups.

I'm really interested to see who's gonna match up with whom when we, you know, toss the ball up and play.

- And we'll get to some, some of the key players here in just a minute.

Right now we're gonna turn things over to the third member of our broadcast team, Jim Baes.

- Alright.

Coach Hasen from the old confines of the expo to the new confines of the cross.

Wherever you play, you're happy to be in the state championship there.

Yep, - We definitely are looking forward to it.

- Alright, let's talk about how you scouted Gardner and what you're gonna prepare for here today.

- Yeah, very tough team.

Very well disciplined, physical, great rebounding team.

They're not gonna beat themselves.

Very good.

Team.

- When you looked at them, did you see any comparisons to any other team you had down there in the Portland area?

- Nope.

Not, not necessarily.

They're their own thing.

They're, they're very deep and balanced and you know, they play eight or nine guys and they can all play and you know, the, like I said, discipline, very, very tough defensively.

- Alright.

New challenges for you today.

Yep.

- Alright, - Well good luck to you.

Thanks.

- Thanks very much.

Appreciate it.

- Thank you very much Jim.

As we take a look at a closer look if you will at the Yarmouth Clippers.

- Yeah.

They came in with a 17 and four record.

They got off to, they lost two of their first three games, so, but they've really been on a roll since then.

They averaged 64 points a game 67 in the tournament, only giving up 52 during the regular season 62 in the tournament.

Of course there's better competition generally in the tournament.

The, the Alaska Gold Balls 2022 right here on this floor versus Ellsworth and a great game, an overtime game.

Two key players for them.

Number 14, Ian Lawrence and number 23, an old school post player, Adam Maxwell.

You'll see him down in the low block.

So the road to the final, they beat Levitt, a good Levitt team, York and Madam on paper.

Those were upsets but they're playing extremely well.

- Okay, once again, Jim Baines, - I'll tell you coach, you guys are on fire in the regionals on the regional final there.

What can you do to replicate that?

- Yeah, you know, hey, when you make shots, good things happen, right?

So everything's for us starts on the defensive end and that gives us energy on the offensive end.

- Alright, let's talk about the clippers.

Let's talk about how you scouted 'em.

You looked at a lot of video this week.

What do you see?

Any comparisons there?

- Yeah, a lot of comparisons.

I, I'm very impressed with the way they share the basketball, the way they get to help side on the defensive side of the ball.

I think we share the basketball similarly.

They play hard, they're well coached.

It should be a great game.

Alright, - And what do you have to counter that?

- Hey, if we play our style of basketball, I think good things can happen.

So, - So this could be a temp, I'm sorry, this could be a tempo thing then - Potentially.

Right.

You know, they could play up and down, they could play half court basketball just like us.

So it's just gonna be an interesting matchup that we're looking forward to.

Alright, - Well good luck tonight.

Thank you.

Alright, Brett - Taking a quick look at Gardner and how they got here.

- Yeah, our 18 and three record 64 points during the season and during the tournament.

They've never won a gold ball, although they played this Yarmouth team in 2012 at the old auditorium.

Aaron Toman, the coach for Gardner, was on that Gardner team that lost to the Clippers.

Two key players for them.

Number 11, Brady Atwater, he's their, he's their big, maybe about six two extremely athletic and Brady Peacock, outstanding guard.

- Alright, all right, now let's toss things over to Bob Betham, PA announcer here for the introduction of players.

- Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the Cross Insurance Center for the 2026 Main Principles Association State Basketball Championships presented by Hammond Lumber Company.

Tonight State of Maine Boys Class B championship game features the champions of Southern Maine with a record of 17 and four, the Clippers from Yarmouth High School and the champions of Northern Maine with a record of 18 and three, the Tigers from Gardner Area High School.

At this time let's meet the participants in tonight's class B state championship game.

Introducing first the team members for the Southern Maine Champion Yarmouth High School Clippers, A senior number one, Andrew Kelly, a senior number three, Jayden Pier, A senior.

Number four, Griffin, write out a junior.

Number five, Iggy McGrath, A senior number 11, Devon Lawwell, A senior number 13, Aiden Brooks, A sophomore.

Number 15, Preston Lee, A freshman number 21 Marshall Rogers and a sophomore number 25.

Landon Brewer.

The managers in Sylvester, the assistant coaches are David Cousins, Brad Stout, Owen Maloney, and Paul Zekman.

The head coach for Yarmouth High School is Connor Hassan.

I now introducing the team members for the Northern Maine Champion Gardner area High School, tigers a junior number two, Isaac Marquis, A junior.

Number five, chase McGrain, a sophomore.

Number 12, JC Adamas, A sophomore.

Number 14, Isaac Maddo, A junior.

Number 15, Nolan Brown, A freshman number 20, Luke Whalen, a sophomore.

Number 21, Colin McCormick, a senior captain Number 22, Levi Simmons and a junior number 33, Matthew Moody.

The managers are Logan, Cody, Riley Burns and Connor Allen.

Assistant coaches Seth Hasty, Charlie Lawrence and CJ Elliot.

The head coach for Gardner Area High School is Aaron Toman.

And now for the starting lineups of tonight State championship game four, Yarmouth at guard, A junior number 10, Evan Orrin Ellis for Gardner at Guard, a senior captain Number three, Brady Peacock for Yarmouth at forward a senior number 14, Ian Lawrence for Gardner at Guard, a senior captain number four, Braden Elliot for Yarmouth at Ford.

A sophomore number 22, Matt LeBlanc For Gardner at Guard A junior number 10, trace Moody for Yarmouth at forward A sophomore number 23, Adam Maxwell for Gardner.

At forward a senior captain, number 11, Brady Atwater.

And for the Yarmouth High School Clippers at Guard A junior Number 24, Owen or Ellis.

And for the Gardner area, high School Tigers at center, A senior number 24, Nick McKay.

Tonight's championship game officials are Mr.

Prescott, Mr.

Hogan and Mr.

Miss Show certified athletic training services are provided by Northern Light Sports Health.

At the - Keys to the game for this one here Coach, - Well we're we're looking at for on a part of Yarmouth, they have to stop guard penetration.

They have a three three guard offense.

Gardner does, they have to control the defensive glass.

Atwater's very active on the offensive glass and for the Gardner Tigers, they're very adept at penetration, particularly in the, on the case of Ian Lawrence and also their post-game with Adam Maxwell.

And then they have to attack the Gardner.

Gardner does play through Atwater - And the ball is up and the Gardner Tigers will have first crack at it.

One come off left side peacock on the dribble, immediately takes it to the hole, nothing there.

The rebound comes down to Lawrence.

- That's the penetration we talked about.

And we have Peacock is matched up with Lawrence giving away some size - Loose on the inside, not able to get the shot to go down the second effort, nothing there.

Rebound taken down by Trace Moody, moody up ahead to at water, lays it up him in - Running the floor.

Transition basket, easy bucket that time - Start to the defense for the Tigers.

They love to play off those misses and get out and run inside.

Goes to Maxwell.

It's loose and picked up by the Tigers.

Peacock penetrates nothing there.

The rebound taken down by Lawrence.

Ian Lawrence Senior - Early going everything for Gardner's going right at the rim.

- Gardner starting four seniors and one junior.

Malone Junior Trace Moody for Yarmouth out on the right side with it now is blah blank back out on top to Evan or and Ellis, - They'll be very patient.

They try to post the ball to Maxwell.

There it is.

- Thought he had the shot but he elected to pass outside on the win.

Looked like he did.

- LeBlanc.

LeBlanc, Matthew Leblanc on the offensive glass, - One of two sophomores starting for the Clippers.

He start two juniors and a senior along with those sophomores.

Elliot with it all comes to Moody.

Moody starts and stops now is bottled up along the base line, steps up along the base line and goes a nice - Thrill, nice step through.

Move by Trace Moody that time.

Nice bucket - Just underway in this boys class B state championship game and Lawrence gets down into the corner the blank, lay it up two - And a foul.

Watch the blank baseline drive.

Here he goes with the crossover.

McKay doesn't come over to help, he doesn't wanna leave Maxwell.

Open - That water whistle for the valve, that's his first.

Matt LeBlanc gets the fall shot to go and he has all five of the Yarmouth points.

Braden Elliot on the dribble, he'll pull up for the shot.

Nothing there.

Rebound, taken down now lost by out water but gets it back, goes along the baseline.

His pass is tipped away and now we're gonna have a foul - Gonna be on the it looks like, yep, but an offensive rebound.

Good sign for Gardner.

Atwater picks up the offensive rebound that time.

- Thank you coach Connor Hassen, his first year.

- The hell o obviously an outstanding job.

He's got a set plague coming.

Owen or Ellis gets it over to.

It's gonna be a screen for Maxwell looking inside.

Lawrence really has - It knocked away and Ellis to LeBla.

LeBlanc into the lane draws the contact.

We'll go to the line to shoot two.

- Watch the blank.

He's coming down the middle and the foul gonna go to Atwater.

That's too, so developing situation - Out water.

Yeah, picks up a couple of quick files here, not even halfway through the first quarter and le blank continues to pile on the points.

- Yeah, LeBlanc averaged eight points during the season 8.3.

He's almost at that right now.

He's - That all seven of the Yarmouth points.

Luke Whalen number 20 has committed the game for Gardner.

- Let's see if Gardner, how they do now with that water on the bench.

- Now swing it around a McKay now Moody, the free, no wet water, no problem.

Trace Moody Junior stepping up with his second bucket of the game.

Elliot.

- Elliot on on defense.

He's an outstanding defender.

- Nice job saving that one from going out of bounds and getting it to a teammate.

Now Waylon gives over to Moody.

Little floater up and in - Five in a row for Moody.

It started with the great defense on the other end by Elliot Gardner - Up by 2 9 7 and stepping on the sideline is Ian Lawrence here.

Give the ball back to the tigers.

Calling the McCorick.

Number 21 will be checking in for coach Aaron Toman Toman in his eighth year leading the Tigers Elliot with the ball has it slapped away and recovers now moody over the whaling back to Elliot.

Now into the corner and lost outta bounds.

Slapped outta bounds by the clips.

- Gardner has an outstanding ball movement.

They, they work it side to side and then they'll drive it.

They, they'll put the ball in the hands of either Moody or or Elliot or Peacock and they'll just try to drive the basketball - Kicked out into the quarter.

Moody quickly up ahead the Clippers and they find we've got a player control foul on in - Lawrence.

Good job that time.

I think it was Moody that picked up the charge.

Lawrence came in with a full head of steam.

He did.

He's coming right at you, coming right into your living room.

Oh and actually it was Peacock that drew the charge.

- Gardner looking to expand on the skinny two point lead here in the first quarter.

2 45 to play.

Backing it out now is Peacock.

- You're - Playing - A five, five out offense.

It's really no post presence at all.

- Three point attempt, no good.

Now we got a foul.

He's gonna be called on Luke Whalen.

That'll be his first whaling.

Freshman.

- Freshman.

Here's the shot.

- Nothing subtle about that Foul.

Nope.

The game, the blank to the corner or gonna foul down underneath, - That's gonna be a foul.

Well not it's on Moody.

It is right there.

Mood Moody slid over but he moved after the, after the offensive player had already left his feet.

His first D - Five Warren Ellis on the line to shoot a cup.

Leaves the first one short.

Evan or Ellis.

Number two, Isaac Mark number two, Isaac Markus has come into the game for Coach Aaron Toman or Ellis - Hits his seconding foul shot.

Both teams have gone to the bench.

Both teams I think have played eight players so far.

- Elliot, that gives off the whaling.

Marquis goes in, throws up the wild one with the left hand and we've got a foul.

As Kelly goes to the floor, the - Foul - Is gonna be on Elliot.

- Elliot's got great hands.

You watch you'll, he got mostly ball.

- So on the line to shoot is Andrew, Kelly - And Thises the foul shot.

Yeah, Gardner's already put the Yarmouth in the bonus and Yarmouth only has one foul on the other end.

- This is them both.

So Gardner continues to lead and they have the ball and we've got a travel violation against Brady Peacock.

- Here he comes a crossover dribble reach in.

Drag that pivot foot - Kelly for the Clippers.

Kelly senior and another - Foul Fouls are fouls are, yeah, they're piling - Gonna it over.

They calling a foul or are they calling a travel?

It - Could be a travel you had.

Could have been a defensive foul.

It could have been a hook by Lawrence too.

Offensive foul.

Instead they, it's gonna be a travel to say the fouls are really piling up.

Starting to pile up for Gardner - Tigers with the ball.

- Elliot gets it back out on the point he comes over to Waylon - Three.

That's a freshman off the bench with a three pointer.

He came in for Atwater.

They haven't got the ball to Maxwell.

It's been a while since he's touched it - Under a minute to play in the corner.

LeBlanc with it and the foul - Offensive.

- This is gonna go against LeBlanc.

You can see his arm come out.

- Watch the arm bar.

There it is.

That is, yep.

Use the arm bar for sure.

So the blankets up the foul.

- It's only the second team foul on Yarmouth.

- Gardner as a team has outstanding quickness and it really shows on the defensive end.

- Moody back into the game with the ball now.

Want him as Ian Lawrence driving into the lane and we've got a whistle, the foul shooting two before the shot went up.

- Here comes the drive.

This is Waylon.

I don't know who the foul went to.

Did go, did it go to LeBla?

- We went to Orin Ellis - Or Ellis - F Shot missed by Luke Whalen.

- Well Gardner's done a good job with Atwater on the bench.

You know, arguably their best player.

He was the most valuable player in the Northern Main tournament.

They've hit two threes with Moody and Waylon while he's been sitting.

- Waylon makes the second foul shot, which his team up by four 12 to eight closing seconds of quarter number one.

- Yeah.

Meanwhile Lawrence and and Maxwell Yar Armes two high scores have really yet to make an impact on the game.

- Bla again, he needs to watch out for the arm bar.

Driving into the lane off the glass as the buzzer sounds.

Evan or an Ellis and the bucket is good.

Good shot there at the buzzer.

Good drive 13 eight.

The final.

The final.

The score here at the end of the first quarter.

We'll be back right after this - Production of high school basketball on Maine.

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The score is 1310 as the basket counted as time expired there in the first quarter, Yarmouth will have the ball trailing by three Warren Ellis from the right side.

No good rebound comes down to peacock - That water back in the game.

Gotta be careful now with those two fouls, - Pop, pop for the three, nothing there gets it back.

Leans in off - The glass for two and that was a great jump.

Stop that time by Atwater so he didn't draw the offensive foul.

- No topic comes now to Evan Orrin Ellis over to Orrin.

Orrin Elli off the rim.

Elliot, push you get up now gives off to Moody.

Moody will be fouled as Owen or Ellis will be called for his second.

- Not a good foul there.

Coach Hasson can't be happy with fouling.

The jump shooter, particularly in a three point shot.

Here it is.

Is Moody on the line to shoot three?

The trick is you want to contest shooters without fouling.

- This is that one.

You'll have a couple of more.

16 to 10 now Gardner on top it.

Two outta three.

That trip to the line.

- Gardner got good production off the bench in that first quarter.

Now they get the starters are back in.

- Wondered how they would respond without water out of the game.

They responded very well.

- Still probing.

I trying to get the ball to Maxwell - From the corner.

The three pointer, no good.

Ian Lawrence with the rebound around and out, got the offensive glass but couldn't make it pay now at water like he was trying to dump it in for McKay through the hands and out of, - Yeah, a little too much steam on that pass.

- Owen.

Owen Ellis gives over to Maxwell and what are they?

Whistle and a foul against Gardner.

It's gonna be on.

- Here comes Maxwell.

Got a hold right there on the part of, on the part of McKay.

Nice inbounds play at that time to Lawrence.

- And Lawrence picks up his first points of this game.

- Yeah, he and Maxwell haven't made much of an impact so far.

- Moody gives over to Elliot.

Elliot on the penetration.

Tries to now gives over to Atwater.

Elliot will try the other side.

Now Moody.

The three pick released by Moody.

Rebound to the Clippers.

Blank or Ellis.

Owen or Ellis.

Pins and hits.

- We're gonna call a flop call the flop there on on Moody.

That's a warning.

Moody tried to draw the offensive foul but instead he's getting tagged with a a warning on a, on a flock.

- So it'll be garner basketball.

5 25 to play here in the first half.

John got the play on top.

His peacock driving into the lane Moody.

He stopped and then turned around - And hit that pit at that time by Moody.

Freed up the shooting hand.

Warren - Ellis exhibit Lawrence.

Now the blank with it into the corner it goes.

Lauren Ellis changes his direction cleaning up the board - And good work that time by Ian Lawrence on the offensive blast.

- Driving in is peacock.

The ball is turned over to the clickers and the travel and his line.

This is - For the scouts.

Yeah, he went with the shot fake but he, he moved his pivot foot and got tagged with the with the travel call.

- So back into the game now for the tigers.

Luke Whalen, the freshman hit a three and a fall shot of four points in the first quarter.

Coming in off the bench.

- Peacock's gonna take a break.

- Waylon gives over to McKay who hits his first two points of the game.

- Elliot's everywhere.

Defensively watch number four.

So active three up and in by Evan or Ellis.

Good defense by Elliot, but better offense, - 2119 Elliot.

He'll take his own three and hit - Well.

- Kelly looking for Maxwell down low Maxwell.

Yeah, Maxwell's really not looking for his own right now.

He's passing out of the post rather than being an offensive threat himself with the basketball - Fouls on Elliot, that's gonna be his second - Coach.

Tobin rotating his guards.

He's gonna take that water out, protect him with the two fouls.

- Elliot started to go to the bench and that was called back out onto the floor - From the base line he got.

He got around Elliot that time.

A little hesitation move.

- Well then Elliot had just picked up his second foul, so I'm sure he's a little cautious as well.

Waylon in the lane needs some help.

Elliot over to Peacock - Moody with both teams.

Do a really good job with Chop faking and pivot, pivoting.

Nice pass from Moody into Nick McKay - That a couple of buckets for McKay and Bucket Pick by Elliot gets it over to Peacock.

Peacock plays it in for two - Offense comes out of their defense that time.

It starts with Elliot defensively - And they lobbed inside and they - Looked like a push you got away with too.

- Dave.

- It is Maxwell to Lawrence that time - Moody.

It's Kelly coming up with the steel.

Lays it up.

No good.

He's fouled on the way to the rim.

- Real quick.

Hands that time by Kelly.

Watch here.

Well this was after the steal and then Moody picks up the foul.

- Second one on Moody the line.

We may have a blood situation on Elliot Moody in his leg.

So Moody comes back into the game.

Andrew Kelly will attempt get in a fo shot.

- The missiles.

- We down down the gardener.

Referrals are a problem right now for Yarmouth are not cashing in.

- Minute and a half to play here in the first half.

Moody throws up a wild game.

Moody was trying to draw the foul.

He thought there was contact and a against.

- There's Maxwell - Close.

- Moody brings it across, gets to Peacock.

Peacock goes to work on full of blank.

Oh, Markus, he's gonna need some help.

Comes into the corner, wailing kicks it out to Moody and the whistle will - Result in a foul.

Draws a foul there on the floor.

Mark was reaching across clearly a foul.

- So Andrew Kelly picks up the foul.

- Excuse me, Kelly, - We've got a - Blood issue again.

- Well, am I sure?

Yep.

They're wrapping the leg over on the Yarmouth bench.

That's Evan Orrin Ellis Garner Inbounding the ball along the base line and the three.

So Isaac Marquis comes in off the bench and hits a three.

- Gardner getting really good production off the bench.

- The mth, the missed shot.

They come up with the rebound LeBla gets it out to Lawrence.

- Maxwell did a good job - That time.

Keeping the ball alive.

La blank.

Now from the right side, the shot is missed by Evan Orrin Ellis.

Closing seconds.

Gardner on top here by eight, driving into the Lane's peacock.

Now Marquis, the three is in big shot - Right at the buzzer.

- Isaac Marquis brings the tiger spans to their feet as time expires here in the first half of play, putting the tigers up by 11 44, 23, we'll take a time out and be back right after this.

- Production of high school basketball on public television is made possible by people like you and by at - Central Maine Community College.

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It's a fun way to challenge myself and - See what I know.

It's a unique experience to meet other kids from around the state.

- It's really, really cool to see everyone's different talents and skills.

So making a game out of it is the perfect combination and I can learn a lot of new fun facts and to show off my knowledge.

- I just really like trivia.

I know a lot of stuff and I want to share all this random stuff I know with my school to help improve school spirit - And I wanna be with my friends and hopefully win.

Let's go.

Have some fun with trivia - Back here at the Cross Insurance Center, Brent Stevens, along with Coach Ken Lidl.

We are at the half.

It is a 34 23 lead for the Gardner Tires over the Clippers of Yarmouth.

Now we'll send things across the way to Bob be - Association and fame.

The finance authority of Maine.

It is an honor to present 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 recognize with a sportsmanship award have displayed respect of officials, coaches, and opponents, fair play, honesty and integrity, and a true love for the game of basketball.

Presenting the awards this evening representing the Main Principals Association, our basketball committee members, Rick Sinclair, athletic Administrator at Herman High School, and Joe Greaves, career and Technical Education Director at Pascal High School.

At this time, we are pleased to recognize and boys Class B North, the Purple Panthers of Waterville Senior High School.

Here tonight to receive the award are coaches, Jared Brown, Ethan Welch, Sawyer Deros, Mike Sandoval, and Andrew Reynolds.

Along with all of the players in the basketball program from Waterville, along with Captains, Derek Kucher, Elijah Cullen, and Jacoby Sarro Watson.

Again, congratulations to the Purple Panthers of Waterville High School.

Ladies and gentlemen, at this time we're pleased to recognize in boys Class A North the witches of Brewer High School.

Here tonight to receive the award coach Scott Flagg, along with players Oliver Higgins, Jack Robertson, Jackson Jankowski, Eli Wall, Liam Greenlaw, Brian Sinclair, Cody Hughes, Isaac Johnson, Caleb Campel, Brady Flagg, Brendan Moore, Paxton, snow, and Cooper Harvey.

Once again, congratulations to the witches of Brewer High School and thank you to fame, the Finance Authority of Maine for helping us present our sportsmanship awards this evening.

Attention class of 2026.

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Ladies and gentlemen, at this time, please direct your attention to Center Court tonight.

It is truly an honor to recognize an individual whose name has become synonymous with the MPA basketball tournament here in Bangor.

Mr.

Allen Snell, we invite Mr.

Snell to come to mid court at this time.

For the past 50 years, Allen has been a steady and dedicated presence at the Northern Maine Tournament.

He began as a member of the tournament staff learning every detail of what it takes to deliver one of the most special events in Maine high school athletics.

He later became a familiar voice of the tournament as one of the announcers bringing energy and professionalism to the Bangor Auditorium and later the Cross Insurance Center floor.

Today he serves as the director of the tournament, a role he carries out with the same commitment and care that have defined his entire career.

Over the years, Alan's received multiple leadership and service awards honors that speak to his integrity, dedication, and impact.

Yet anyone who has worked alongside him knows that the award simply affirm what is evident every day.

His quiet demeanor, kindhearted approach, and steady leadership create environment of respect and excellence.

He leads not with fanfare, but with preparation organization and genuine care for the students, coaches, officials, and volunteers who make this tournament special.

Alan's attention to detail and calm presence ensures that the MPA basketball tournament Bangor runs seamlessly year after year.

He has become, in many ways the face of the tournament, a trusted leader whose influences felt in every aspect of the event.

- Okay, right now we're gonna turn things over to Jim Baes.

Jim.

- Alright guys, we have just enough time for the 24th annual TV Sportscaster Summit.

Very quickly, guys, we don't have much time here.

Rudy Klu from Channel X Radio.

I love that you're here.

There's no county presence here at the K Class B, but you're here just to Same.

I love that.

Yeah, this is my 47th year at tournament.

Of course I wouldn't miss any of this.

I've only missed two years and the atmosphere is still as great as it's ever been.

Jack Webb from ABC seven, Fox 22.

I tell you, this is where the busy time of year for you, but now it's dying down.

Any, any sadness about that?

- Well, this is my second year doing the tournament.

I, I rode Pine for a couple years in high school, but definitely a lot of sadness.

It feels like the culmination of the year.

You come out here, you see the communities, you feel the support you, you meet the people who get to watch us and, and we'll, we'll run around covering.

It's the best thing every year.

- Alright, Ben Barr from Channel five here.

Your thoughts, what was your favorite moment there of the tournament thus far?

- Boy, the seed North or buzzer beater.

Aiden.

Jeffs up here.

Ethan Chilton.

I can't believe these high school kids can just come through in the clutch the way they are.

Maddy Provost, some great players from Garden or Yarmouth tonight, who - Thank you very much.

Travis Lee from Channel eight is a scratch.

Guys, thank you for having us.

Thanks for coming today.

Back to you.

- Alright, quick time out.

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- Well welcome back here to the Cross Insurance Center.

Second half.

Just about to get underway.

34 23.

Gardner holds the 11 point lead and they have the ball to start things here in the second half.

- I think the difference right now is that is Gardner's quickness, particularly on the defensive end.

- Elliot tries to penetrate, has it knocked at a bounds?

It'll remain with Gardner.

Well at water, as you said, arguably their best player out on the floor went to the bench pretty early in this one with two fouls and the Tigers didn't miss a beat.

- No they did not.

Good production off the bench.

Mark Wi and Waylon - Moody throws up the three Moody had 11 points in that first half.

Now it's the Clippers.

- I would wager that Coach Hassam is trying to get Maxwell involved here in the second half.

Nice back door cut.

- Yeah.

Dumbed down load to LeBlanc and he is fouled - By Atwater.

Atwater left his feet, which is a dangerous thing to do.

He's got two fouls, so you want, you wanna avoid that Third one, he's probably gonna come out.

Looks like Waylon's getting set to come in the game for Atwater.

- So just 40 seconds gone here in the second.

In the third quarter, I should say Atwater picks up his third foul and whaling comes back into the game.

- Well they did it before with Atwater on the bench.

We'll have to do it again here probably for the rest of the quarter.

- Now blank.

Second fo shot is waived off a violation.

- Violation.

- So he makes one of two, he makes the first one.

- Yeah, free throw shooting.

Yarmouth has not really been able to capitalize.

- That is their sixth miss - And they're ordinarily a good free throw shooting team.

- The trail by 10 Gardner with the ball driving in his peacock, it's knocked away and it's going to be with Gardner, much to the chagrin of some of the clippers out on the floor.

Ellie gives the moody, Elliot gets it back, - He'll back it out.

- Tigers content to run the play out front.

Looking for the opening.

Now the shot by Moody, no good.

Rebound up and it does not go.

It's out of bounds.

- Okay, he stepped out of bounds and came back in.

First one to touch it - Into the corner.

It goes well blank.

Keeps the dribble into the lane no good.

And then Evan Orrin Ellis is there to follow up.

Elliot with the ball.

Keeps the dribble now over to Moody.

Looked inside, I couldn't get it to McKay.

Elliot bounces that out into the corner.

Peacock pulls up off the back of the ironbound taken down.

He gets the ball right back.

Missed wailing round on the - Floor.

Darn to really hustling on the offensive glass.

This is an important phase of this game right now with Atwater on the bench and, and Yarmouth trying to mount a a comeback here.

- Ian Lawrence taking its strong to the basket and he will draw the foul against Brady Peacock.

The peacock that is found in the two that'll send Ian Lawrence on the line.

His first trip to the foul line.

Lawrence had four points in that first half.

He makes that call shot.

There - He is behind his usual scoring pace.

He averages 16 points a game.

I think more than that actually in the tournament as well.

- Did 19 in the semifinal and 18 in the final.

And he connects on both of those fall shots.

Aging just under 17 in the tournament.

Close his team to within six.

Moody makes it nine as he connects on the three.

Boom.

Right on cue.

37, 31 6.

Okay, they've got the scoreboard is all messed up.

37, 28.

Now all the blank on him.

Peacock kicks out into the corner.

Three ball, no good.

Peacock will push it out.

- Another empty trip in another possession without a touch to Maxwell.

Gardner's doing a good job playing in front and back of him.

- Peacock no good and a foul will be called against Luke Whalen the freshman.

It'll be the second one on Waylon.

- There goes the shot.

You'll see Waylon try to crash Ian Lawrence has inside position and Waylon reaches over the top - Third team foul here in the third quarter.

The Yarmouth has yet to commit a foul.

The blank loses the ball, he picks it back up, picks it over and at alone to or Ellis, Orrin Ellis drives in.

It's good and he's found, - Watch it here.

Crossover Dribble.

Nice tight crossover into the lane.

Got it to go.

Looking for the three point play Mark was called for that foul.

- Warren Ellis does complete the three point play.

37, 31 clippers back to within six.

Peacock.

Pulls out short, gets his own rebound off the glass - Around and in.

Great individual effort that time by Peacock.

Missed the shot, tracked it down, went over the back of everybody.

Got it to go.

- There's four points in the game for Peacock.

He had 16 in the final.

This shot off the mark by the Clippers.

- Yeah, they're, they've kind of gotten away from their inside approach.

- Peacock gives it now to Markus.

Markus was put up for the three off the back of the iron.

Wailing.

Gets it up out of Peacock drives into the lane, nothing there.

And a foul is gonna be called against Gardner - Again crashing the boards.

You'll see Gardner very active on the offensive glass.

- McKay, - There's the shot by Moody.

There's McKay right under the basket, - Kinda making some space for himself.

- Yep.

He's fouling.

Evan Orin Ellison.

He's gonna go to the pretrial line.

They've already got their five foul for the quarter, so Yarmouth will be shooting the double bonus.

The rest of this frame.

- Evan Orrin Ellis on the line to shoot and that one goes moment of suspense.

Yeah, Colin McCormick is back into the game for Gardner and Andrew Kelly has checked in for Coach Connor has and up and in by Evan Orrin Ellis.

Three minutes to play here in the third quarter.

Gardner up my six with the ball.

39, 33 looking for their first ever gold ball.

Elliot spins his way in ducks underneath the defender and lays it in for two.

Nice move.

They, - They do such a great job with their footwork on penetration on the other end.

Pretty poor job in defensive transition.

However, right there, good heads up play.

I believe the pass came from O Ellis.

- Goes over to Elliot.

Elliot starts and stops.

Kicks it to Markus.

Marquis hits.

Markus is feeling it.

Peacock tries for the steal.

Now Kelly with it lives over to Lawrence or Ellis off to Glas for two.

Evan or Ellis.

- Good move by Orrin Ellis.

Once again, Maxwell unable to face the basket.

- 43 37.

I mentioned before this a matchup between two teams that went at it in 2012 with Mout coming out on top that time.

Coach Aaron Toman was in play for the tigers.

Mark was shot.

No good head.

It goes to Kelly.

He'll take the three.

Too much rebound, nothing there.

He walks it up, moves over to Peacock, - See if they hold for the last shot.

It's gonna be pretty much have to take a minute off the clock.

- 35 seconds.

Elliot.

Hands off to peacock.

We switch that time by.

Or Ellis peacock.

It's a down low, a whistle on the travel.

- Good penetration comes the bounce pass.

One, two, oh - There it is.

Hit the ball over to to McCormick, but couldn't capitalize - Warren Ellis.

Owen or Ellis.

This is a big possession here for Yarmouth.

Maybe they can, they get a bucket.

They can cut into that lead.

It was 11 at a half.

We've got a foul and they're gonna call a plot.

I think they're call it a Flo.

So now that becomes a shooting P.

- Yeah, I'm moody.

Call the plot.

- Not a single official on the other side of the auditorium.

Oh, agrees with that.

Call all - The people in orange.

They're not, don't agree This is big.

So they get two plus the ball.

- So on the line is gonna be Ian Lawrence.

So shoot two.

- And he Mrs.

Lawrence, - The senior on the line.

Misses and both much to the delight of the Gardner fans.

The Clippers will have the ball for the closing seconds.

Still - Get a chance to cut into that league.

Yep.

- Orin Ellis hits LeBlanc.

Heading down.

Can't get the shot to go.

So Gardner will have a crack at it if they can get it up the floor.

- That was the set play for the backdoor pack.

- Peacock.

The desperation, but nothing there.

Third quarter in the books, 43 37 Gardner on top.

We'll be back with the fourth quarter of play in just a moment.

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On the way here - Again, Matthew's being deferential and he was right in the middle of the lane - Rebound by Atwood, who was checked back into the game.

Atwood with three fouls and each time that he's gone to the bench with foul trouble, the Tigers have done a very nice job finding offense in other places.

- Although Yarmouth cut into that lead, there was 11 at the half - And now we'll have a foul against LeBla.

As Peacock penetrated into the lane, - It's Gardner Quickness here goes peacock and reached from behind that time.

Matthew Leblanc picks up the foul, - Second foul on LeBlanc and on the line to shoot two is Brady Peacock.

- Peacock misses - Peacock with five points in this game.

Now he, he's 16 in the regional final - Average is 14 on the year.

- Clippers with the ball down low.

We've got a whistle and a buck bucket.

Evan or Ellis?

- Yeah, Orin.

Orin Ellis has a size advantage over Elliot and he decided to post him up that time.

Went to work.

There's a smaller El Elliot one-on-one.

No help given down there at the at on the low block either.

- So Orin Ellis makes it a three point play.

And for Elliot, that was his third five.

He one minute.

Gone here in the fourth quarter, - There's a lot of contact when Elliot's out there on the floor.

- Tiger's up by four.

Elliot with the ball.

Looks his way around.

Hasn't slapped away from behind the pass up ahead.

That bounces off Orin Ellis.

Ball loose.

Picked up by Peacock Peacock shuffles it off ball again loose.

Picked up quickly.

Up ahead to Ian Lawrence over to Orrin Ellis.

Drives into the lane Strong in the foul.

Is that gonna be on Atwater?

- It is.

The crossover dribble.

Yeah.

He fouled from behind.

Clearly - Foul number four on Brady Atwater.

- Yeah.

He needs to stay on his feet - And he missed Paul.

Shot by or Ellis coming back into the game.

Is Luke Whalen the freshman That foul shutters up and in by Orrin Ellis.

Time out on the floor.

- Yeah.

Yarmouth hanging around.

- Yeah.

Clippers are drawn to within three and they've got Brady out water and some deep water.

It comes to foul trouble.

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Tonight's games can be seen again tomorrow morning starting at seven o'clock.

The Class C girls game will be replayed Saturday night at 10, following the end of the Class C Boys game.

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Some of the fans here in attendance at the cross insurance center at water on the bench with four fouls.

- Yeah, - We'll see if the Tigers, again can respond as they have the last two times.

- It seems, you know, it seems like gardeners in, in control of the game, but you, you look up, it's a three point game and it's, it's anybody's ball game, obviously with plenty of time left.

- Hotwater has accounted for just four points for the Tigers.

He's, he's averaging close to 18 here in - The tournament.

Maxwell on the other side is one of their leading scores.

He does.

He, he's barely, he's barely scored.

It's a rebound by Maxwell.

- Moody was a little floater from the base line, but not able to find anything spinning in Is Maxwell Lefthander no good Rebound.

Nice high peacock Peacock brings it up.

Gives over to Elliot house the freshman.

Waylon.

Waylon.

The only freshman on this team for Coach Aaron Toman.

Peacock backs out Ms.

McKay jumps it into Elliot.

Elliot tries to reverse, has it knocked away by LeBlanc and then he finds McKay open underneath - Again.

Loose balls.

50 50 balls.

Gardner gets the advantage on those.

- Nearly stolen away by Moody or an Ellis kicks it out front.

Bla the three off the front of the rim.

Warren Ellis back out to LeBlanc.

The right sided goes LeBlanc gets it back.

This one counts down to a two point game.

- Matthew Leblanc with a three pointer for the sophomore.

Coach Toman has a set play now you'll see the ball in Peacock's hand, Elliot and Moody.

- Moody pulls up little jumpers up and in Owen over and o and Ellis.

Quickly swing it down into the corner.

Get it to Maxwell.

Maxwell in the lane.

Leaves it short.

- That's a good possession.

He's got that nice little jump hook.

He can shoot it right-handed and left - The tigers with the lead.

And the ball over to Elliot's.

Elliot drives into the lane.

Tries to dump it over to McKay.

Lawrence kicks it out to Le Blank.

He looked for Lawrence on the cut.

Could get it to him inside game.

Here it is inside the Maxwell.

Now from the right side and up it in.

Or on Ellis - Three pointer.

A nice kick out that time by Maxwell.

- We've got a one point game.

48 47.

- Here comes that water coming back in.

Can't worry about foul trouble at this point.

Not at this point.

Just gotta play.

- Yep.

Peacock penetration move.

Lays it in for two.

All the help kinda went away Owen.

Owen Ellis leads over to Lawrence.

The block Insider goes to Maxwell.

Three pointer off the back of the rim.

And a foul is gonna be called, I believe on Ian Lawrence.

- Good blockout.

That time by Waylon - Ian Lawrence will pick up his second foul now water does indeed.

Check back into the game now for the Titans.

- We'll see what Coach Toman dials up for a possession here.

Three minutes to play a three point game.

Kick it out.

Let's see if at water gets a touch.

- Peacock.

There it is.

Dumps it down.

Load of at water.

At water.

Shot blocked and a tie up or yes, a tie up.

Possession arrow favors the Tigers.

- Good defense.

That time by Maxwell.

Good penetration moody to at water.

- We got a timeout.

Gardner takes the time out leading by three.

They've got possession of the ball when we come out of the timeout.

So there is the gold ball.

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- That's when back in the days when everybody had a nickname, - I don't even wanna, I don't even wanna ask what yours was.

- Maybe that was his birth name too.

Who knows because - I've got, I've got some names for you.

All right.

2 49 to play.

Gardner inbounding the ball along their own baseline.

They get it into peacock off the glass of two.

- That's a great after timeout call by coach Toman.

Attack the opposite.

Block - The Clippers down by five with the ball.

Goes to Owen or Ellis or Ellis tries to hit the cutter shot by Evan or Ellis.

- Nice.

Rebound that time by McKay.

- Contact the fans from Gardner wanting to foul, but nothing called - That.

Water being contested heavily that time by Maxwell.

Good deed.

And the ball goes right through the hands - Of Evan or Ellis.

And the timeout will be taken by coachs of the Clippers.

Probably a good timeout - At this point.

Yep.

They gotta think about maybe changing up their defense.

'cause Gardner with the outstanding ball control and good ball, good playmakers at at at the guard position.

They may have to come out with some kind of a pressure aspect from maybe a zone press or or a double team at some point other.

Other than that, guarders is gonna take care of the ball.

- If I'd said to you that Brady Atwater would've four points in the first half and none in the second half.

Right.

- He's barely played.

- Yeah.

And that Gardner would be holding a five point lead.

- Yeah, but you look at the kids off the bench.

Yes.

Mark Marquis and Waylon in particular.

- Marquis came in, hit a couple of threes there.

Yes he did in the second quarter.

A couple of big ones.

And he has eight points.

And Waylon get hit him too.

And first quarter, when first time that Atwater went to the bench, Waylon came in connected.

He has only four points, but he certainly made his presence felt - We're gonna pick up Threequarter court pressure this time.

Well - The Elliot - Probably just straight up man - Works against Evan.

Orrin Ellis.

Elliot drives in the lane, kicks it out.

Left side Moody.

Thought about it now.

Gives the Atwater Moody.

He's got 16 points in this game.

Trace Moody goes in around in no good.

Slapped out to Atwater.

Atwater bumps it now over to McKay.

- Good decision.

Pull it back out.

- Time is their friend.

- They're taking 40 seconds off the clock already.

Yeah.

- Now a foul is gonna be called on Le blank.

It's only the third foul along the footers.

- So we have the sideline out of bounds.

We'll see if maybe Yarmouth can get a trap out of it.

- Third foul along.

LeBla driving into the lane and penetrating and having the ball stuffed.

- Maxwell - Is peacock.

Max.

Max.

So Maxwell with a nice play.

- He's made some big plays defensively.

- Maxwell's only a sophomore.

Yep.

Driving into the lane or an Ellis with a tough shot - And a timeout.

- The lead is down to three for the Tigers with under a minute to play.

52 49.

- Here he comes.

Gardner wisely stepping out of the way.

They don't wanna foul.

Stop the clock.

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And we thank you and folks from all around the world are told enjoying this one.

And it's a good one as we expected coming into it.

- I wanna give a shout out to some of my friends back home that are probably watching it for free.

Fellas, you gotta start Ponying up here.

- You're not gonna call 'em out by name either you, well, okay.

No, no, that's okay.

I'm not gonna go that way.

You could call 'em out by nicknames and they would, nobody would know.

- Fly Rod.

- All right, the Tigers quick release.

Peacock up ahead of the pack, weighs it up for two - Again after timeout.

Great call by Coach Toman had a home run play.

They might need a three take.

- Or Ellis goes in Evan or, and Ellis and a timeout called by the Clippers.

Three points.

- A lot can happen.

Coach Dave Cousins over there, assistant coach.

- Have a look at this.

There - It is.

Over the top - Baseball.

Perfectly done.

LeBlanc.

Unable to catch up with Kick Talk on that one.

- Yamas being very smart right now by driving the ball, taking it to the basket, knowing that Gardner does not want to foul.

We'll stop the clock.

So you, you're encouraged, you wanna encourage your players to, to drive it every chance they get.

- The ball comes into Elliot goes back out and out to Moody Booty gets it up ahead and we've got a foul on the line.

And don't think they wanted to foul fo made contact with Peacock.

The line picks up his fourth foul.

It's still not shooting.

It's only the fourth two.

It'll be the next one when they do's the corner with it.

Comes out to Elliot, over to Peacock.

Now Moody.

Moody picks up double, double.

He's gonna need some help.

There's a double.

Had a time out call.

- Real good time out.

Good defense.

That time by Yarmouth got stuck out near mid court with the double team.

- So Gardner takes the time out.

They're now to down to two points and suddenly I feel woefully underdressed, you - Know?

Oh yeah, I wonder what his nickname is.

- Those are some threads right there.

Yep.

- Now Coach Toman has dialed up a couple of really good after timeout plays to see what Gardner does right now.

- 20.4 seconds left.

Gardner with a three point lead.

They have the ball, they need to inbound in front of their own bench.

- And Elliot giving up some size here, taking it out of bounds.

- He hits Moody.

Moody gives it back to Elliot, comes - Back - Over to Moody.

Moody is foul.

He'll be shooting.

Moody is two for three from the line tonight.

- And he hits, - Makes it a two possession game with that may foul shot.

He'll have another one when we come out of the timeout.

- So Coach Hassan right now is going through the various scenarios, what, what will happen if they're, if they're down four or maybe five, it doesn't really change too much.

They want to, they want to get, you want to attack the basket.

You, you don't need a three unless he makes this one.

If he makes this one, you have to have a three at some point.

So he's gonna talk about dialing up a three point play for somebody.

And you know, if, if he misses it, then you still have a chance to get a a two point bucket, a foul and do it all, all over again.

- Again, the only other time the Gardner has appeared in a state championship game was back in 2012 and they lost to Yarmouth by a dozen.

We'd certainly love to avenge that loss with a win here tonight.

And - The Gardner, - They got work to do.

- The Gardner kids are aware of that and they're aware that their coach was right, - You - Know, on the losing side of that.

- Right.

Coach Aaron Toman, as we mentioned, was a player on that 2012 team.

And the ma fo shot by Moody makes it a bigger hole for the Clippers to get out of three pointer put up.

And in a tough three point shot by Evan Orrin Ellis.

- Now we're down to two.

So that's, that's the first part of what they had to do.

Now you're gonna try to get a double team if you can, in a steel or a foul, a step through for the three.

Again, Garner's doing a good job of avoiding following.

- So it's now a two point lead for the Tigers.

They'll have the ball and they lead by two.

And Coach Toman has certainly came up with some excellent plays out of timeouts in the past couple of times.

Real good.

Yeah, we'll see what he has up his sleeve on this one.

- Right now we're just, just need to get the ball in bounds.

- Yep.

- So that's, that's first order of business only concern.

Right now - It will be Braden Elliot to inbound the ball.

He gets it into Moody.

Moody is fouled.

He's fouled by Owen or Ellis.

So the third foul on, or Ellis, we walk down to the other end on the line to shoot is Moody.

Just made a couple, a few minutes ago.

Here we'll have a couple of more cracks at it.

- He makes the first.

- This one was huge.

Yes it is.

Yarmouth still has a chance, fighting chance if this one is missed.

- It's a one possession game at the moment.

Moody looking to change that fa shot is Z and in the Clippers with over and back, with 1.3 seconds left.

The ball goes back to the Tigers and the Tigers fans on the far side of the building are up and getting ready to celebrate.

Little, the Elliot comes into Moody.

Moody throws the ball in the air.

For the first time in history, the Gardner Tigers bring home the gold ball.

- Gotta be really happy for Coach Coleman.

He's a what a great guy is.

He's a true gentleman.

He, he really coached this team outstanding and an outstanding season.

Our Gardner team is full of energy and, and full of quickness too.

- The 2026 boys, class B State, champs the Gardener, tigers.

- The Armi had their chances.

They never went, really went away.

They hung around and had they had their chances to cut into it a couple times.

Even maybe take the lead - Up until that last ball shot was made by Moody.

Though it was - In doubt, - It was certainly in doubt.

Nice exchange between the Clipper Clippers and the Gardner Tigers.

Lot of mutual respect you could tell from each of the players.

See Coach Toman and Trace Moody celebrating over on the sidelines at this.

At this point we are gonna turn things over to Bob Betham and hand out some awards.

- On behalf of the main principals association and him and lumber company, congratulations to both teams on their exceptional championship level play throughout the 2026 tournament.

We hope that the memories you made this season and over the LA 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.

You are representing yourselves, your communities, and main basketball.

Extremely well full of seniors on both teams.

Thank you.

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

We wish you the best in all your future endeavors.

Presenting the awards this evening, representing the main principals association are Larry Murphy, retired administrator at Fort Ken Community High School.

Rick Sinclair, athletic Administrator at Herman High School.

And Joe Greaves, career and Technical education director at Pascal High School.

And representing him and lumber company is Jake Jones of Bangor Sales.

To begin the awards presentations, I would ask head coach Connor Hassen and assistant coaches, Dave Cousins, Owen Maloney, Brad Stout, and Paul Zeman.

Please come forward to present the individual runner up awards Manager sophomore, Aiden Sylvester Players Freshman Marshall Rogers, sophomores, Preston Lee, Landon Brewer, Matt LeBlanc, Adam Maxwell Juniors Izzy McGrath, Owen or Ellis.

Evan or Ellis and seniors for Yarmouth.

Devon Lawwell Griffin.

Right out.

Aiden Brooks, Jayden Pier, Andrew Kelly and Ian Lawrence.

At this time we'd ask the coaches, team captains from Yarmouth to please come forward.

On behalf of the main Principals Association and him and lumber company, it is our pleasure to present the runner of plaque for the 2026 main Class B Boys State Ball Basketball Championships to the Clippers of Yarmouth High School.

Congratulations on your regional championship.

An outstanding season and outstanding game here this evening.

Congratulations.

And now to present the awards to your 2026 Maine Class B State Basketball Champions of Gardner Area High School.

I would ask head coach Aaron Tolman and assistant coaches Charlie Lawrence, CJ Elliot, and Seth Hasty to please come forward.

Team Managers freshmen, Connor Allen, senior Raleigh Burns, and Senior Logan Cody Players Freshman Luke Whelan, sophomores, Isaac Maddo, JC Adamas, and Colin McCormick Juniors, Matthew Moody, Nolan Brown, chase McGrain, Isaac Marquis and Trace Moody, senior Captain Levi Simmons, senior Nick McKay, senior Captain Brady Atwater, senior Captain Braden Elliot, and Senior Captain Brady Peacock.

At this time we would ask the coaches and team captains to please come forward.

On behalf of the main Principals Association and him and lumber company, it is our pleasure to present the championship Gold Bowl for the 2026 being Class B Boys Basketball champions to the Tigers of Gardner Area High School, congratulations from all of us at the MPA and the Hammond Lover Company.

Enjoy celebrating your championship.

- Congratulations Gardner Tigers.

For the first time ever, they're able to hoist the gold ball and celebrate with their fans as they upend the Clippers of Yarmouth.

By a score of 58 to 54, we'll take a time out and be back and hear from some of the winners in just a little bit.

- Production of high school basketball on Maine Public television is made possible by people like you and by expect - The unexpected at the University of Maine at Prescott, committed to providing an affordable education with a personalized experience full of discovery and innovation.

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- The environment is just awesome.

- Great - Campus, small close knit community.

- Everyone's really welcoming.

Everything feels very personal.

- You at the cheering center, the Nets are coming down and being swung around by the victorious tigers of Gardner High School.

I'll tell you, trace Moody picked a great night to have the, probably the best game of his, of the tournament for him as he came off in with 20 points.

- Yeah, he sure did.

And, and you know, without getting much production out of Atwater, obviously who spent a good deal of the game on the bench, but they got great production off the bench.

Their depth was, was really important with Isaac Marquis and also Luke Whalen combining for 12 points off the bench.

- What we said before when Atwater went to the bench, that they were gonna have to - Yeah.

- Step up and find some production from others.

Somebody.

Yeah.

And they did that.

- They sure did.

- Yeah.

So congratulations to, to the Tigers for, for accomplishing that 20 points for Moody unofficial points, of course.

Eight as Ken just mentioned for Marquis, 11 points for Brady Peacock, five for Braden Elliot, four for Atwater, four for Luke Whalen, the freshman coming off the bench, one of them the big three in the first quarter.

And then Nick McKay with six points.

Take a look at some of the other stats from this game.

- Yep.

Pretty, pretty.

Even in terms of field goal percentage, both teams shopped pretty well.

Yarmouth lost opportunities at the free throw line, only shooting 57%.

Three pointers advantaged to Gardner, not turnovers were even.

And then leading scores.

Orrin Ellis did a, did a great job, hit some big buckets, particularly late in the game to keep them hanging around.

And Trace Moody just had an outstanding game from start to finish with 20 points - And six of those points for Trace Moody.

He was a six for seven.

Right.

Prerow from the pre throw line.

And you mentioned about missed opportunities, some missed opportunities for the Clippers.

Yeah.

And the Gardner Tigers, they took advantage of their, their times at the line.

- It's funny how these things come down to pre throws quite often.

- Almost a cliche when you say how important they are, but too many times it comes down to exactly that.

Making the fall shots, doing the small things.

Think the final net swinging has taken place and now they're lining up for a photo and after they get done that, - It's gonna be Jim Bain's time.

- Jim Bains will be speaking to the Gardner Tigers.

But what a great feeling it is for a school that has never won a gold ball before to that first one.

- And it's a school that's had a, a great deal of athletic ex excellence.

- Absolutely.

You could, you could tell after the players had hoisted the trophy, the coach Aaron Toman.

Yeah.

Got a hold of it, held it up.

Crowd cheered.

Exactly.

Brought it down, held it back up.

Cheer crowd, crowd cheered again.

So you could tell that he is certainly relishing in this victory.

Good for, for him.

And why not, - Why not?

Sure.

- I mentioned in the first game, which was won by the Lawrence Bulldogs in the girls matchup as Lawrence beat Oceanside.

52 41.

Been a long road to get here.

The team started, these teams themselves started back in mid-November.

Certainly players are playing in the summer and all of that, but coming together as a team in November and that, as I said before, seems like such a long time ago.

That's - Right - Than that.

It almost every day since then.

- Yeah, absolutely.

It's six days a week job for, you know, coaches and players.

You might take a couple of weekends off as the season kinda grinds on, but you're at it at least five days a week.

- A four point win for the Gardner Tigers, a lot of high school basketball coming your way this weekend here on the stations of Maine Public a lot, the the girls class s will open things up tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock as wisdom take on valley.

And right now we're gonna turn things over to Jim Baines and the victorious Tigers of Gardner High School.

You go first.

- You go first.

Nope.

No trace.

You're going first.

You got the gold ball, man.

Of course you're going first.

How does it feel now?

Your hands right there.

- It feels amazing.

We worked so hard this year for everything and it's just, it's a dream come true.

Like I've said this a thousand times, it's just surreal winning the gold ball with this group of guys.

- I wanna talk about those clutch free throws down this stretch here.

I'm sure you practice free.

Yeah, you practice free throws thousands of times over your young life.

You probably got real bored doing it now.

How does it feel?

I, - I mean, my whole team trust me to take those type of shots in the clutch.

I mean, I, they just gimme the ball and I just drain them.

- Alright, let's talk about the senior leadership with the two Bradys and Braden.

First of all, congratulations here.

I mean, you, you grew up not seeing a gold ball for the boys at Gardner High School.

Now you have it.

I mean, can you put your your words into thoughts at all here?

I mean, thoughts in the words here.

- It's so surreal.

I mean, being the first, first group to get a gold ball for Gardner.

I mean, it's unbelievable.

I mean, no other group I'd wanna do it with.

This is just a true brotherhood to be honest.

Like, we are so tight bonded.

We started in third grade.

It's just this unbelievable feeling.

Alright, - Ready?

Let's talk about coach.

Coach to me told you at halftime and down the stretch, you're keeping your composure.

You never relinquished the lead, but it was not easy to hold it against these guys.

- Yeah, they, they put up a good fight, but we, we, we, down the stretch, we knew what we had to do - And we took care of business.

Alright.

Yeah.

Brandon, I wanna put your words in the thoughts too as a senior.

Yours were thoughts and the words.

I'm getting that backwards today here.

You know what to say.

Just tell us what you think about these kids right here and what, what you've done for the Tigers there.

- Dude, this is the hardest working group out of anybody I've ever seen.

Our hard work is paid off and that's why we get, we get a gold ball for that.

We are blue collar.

- I have a question now.

Tolman is also a, a teacher, correct?

- Yes.

- Who has him is in the class.

What's that like?

Lifetime Fitness is awesome.

Best absolutely.

Let's - Best coach, coach of the year for a reason.

- Oh, let's get coach in here.

Let's see.

Coach Toman.

Hey coach.

Here we go.

Oh, here we go.

Yeah.

Very good.

Tell us who this is.

- This is my son Jack.

All right.

This is my son Jack.

- Very good.

Here.

Tell us what it's like.

I mean, you teach there, you spend all sorts of time there and then you come out with the gold ball.

I mean, what, what can you say about that?

- I, I am, I am the luckiest guy on earth.

I got a great family, a great job, a great team.

It just means the world to me.

It truly does.

I'm so blessed.

- Now let's talk about what you told 'em in halftime and down the stretch and what they, they put into on the floor there.

- Yeah.

You know, at halftime it was, you know, 16 minutes until these guys are the first group in Gardner Boys basketball history won a gold ball.

So whatever we had to do, just get it done.

Rebound Grit claw.

They're a talented team.

We knew they were gonna make a run.

We stayed together through the ups and downs and we executed at the end.

Alright.

- And at what point, I'm sure you, you talk with other coaches and talk with other people and saying, you know, these guys might be good enough to win a gold ball.

When did you ever have that discussion?

When did you think was possible?

- Hey, you know, for a while we've had, we've had some belief within ourselves, right?

This, it's all right.

- Yeah.

- This summer we, we really had a good summer and, and we thought we could do something special.

We saw some growth last year in, all year long.

These guys bought into the team first mindset, which led us to a gold ball.

Alright.

All right.

Tiger's - Bringing in here.

This is the one, this is one time.

Hey warn, never been done.

Oh, hold on guys, bring that ball in.

We got, everybody gets a state champ.

Every state champion that gets this moment here.

I wanna make sure the Tigers get it too, guys, congratulations.

Bring that gold ball back to Gardner and tell the camera what it's like to be state champ.

It - Just feels awesome.

Let's go, - Let's go.

We're blue collar here.

Alright.

Congratulations again to the Gardner Tigers.

They capture their first gold ball in school history.

So Coach Lindoff as always, a pleasure to work with you.

- It was a, it was a pleasure.

We, we saw a real competitive game.

Both teams evenly matched.

Just a few points better.

That's all it took.

Maybe on maybe free throws or you know, fouls.

There's a lot of things that happened.

But I think we have the deserving champion in the Gardner.

Tigers - Will started up again tomorrow morning at 11 o'clock with the Class S Girls State Championship wisdom taking on valet.

I'm Brent Stevens for Coach Len.

Coach Ken Lelo and Jim Baes, our entire production crew.

Thank you so much for joining us.

Have a great night.