Maine High School Basketball Tournament Eastern Maine Class A Semifinals [SCORES + HIGHLIGHTS]

The Hampden Academy Broncos boys and the Bangor Rams girls on Wednesday advanced to the Eastern Maine finals with semifinal wins at the Augusta Civic Center.

Hampden Broncos Knock Off Messalonskee in Semifinals

The Hampden Academy Broncos will return to the Eastern Maine championship after beating the Messalonskee Eagles 58-47 Wednesday night at the Augusta Civic Center.

The No. 2 Broncos were able to hold Messalonskee’s Nick Mayo in check, particularly in the first half, when the 6-foot-8 standout had only four points. Mayo heated up in the second half, however, finishing with 21 points.

But it wasn't enough as Nick Gilpin, the Broncos’ junior guard, controlled the pace and hit key shots to keep the game out of reach. Gilpin scored 17 points and was named player of the game.

Brendan McIntyre added 14 fro the Broncos and Jake Black added 11. Nate Violette added 10 points for the Eagles.

Hampden will play Lewiston for the Eastern Maine championship at 4:15 p.m. on Saturday.

Top-ranked Bangor Rams Hold Off Edward Little Red Eddies

It was the tale of two halves for the Bangor Rams on Wednesday with the Rams dominating at times in the first half, but hanging on in the second to come out with a 2-point win over Edward Little Wednesday afternoon at the Augusta Civic Center.

The top-ranked Rams held off the No. 4 Red Eddies 47-45 and will advance to face the No. 2 Lawrence Bulldogs in a rescheduled Eastern Maine final at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The Rams led by as many as 12 points, but Edward Little was able to cut it to 2-points with a minute remaining. Edward Little’s pressure defense caused all sorts of problems for the Rams in the fourth quarter, forcing costly turnovers in the game’s late stages.

Senior Mary Butler was able to sink two free throws in the final seconds to keep the game out of reach for the Red Eddies.

Mary Butler led the Rams in scoring with 16 points. Her sister, sophomore Katie Butler, added 13 points.

Emily Jacques had 21 points for Edward Little.

It was the second tight game for the Rams, who squeaked out a quarterfinal victory over the Hampden Broncos earlier in the week 41-40.

Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

Eastern Class C Quarterfinals

#3-Houlton 50 def. #6-Washington Academy 36  [BOYS]
#7-Orono 68 def. #2-George Stevens 51 [BOYS]

Eastern Class B Semifinals

#2-Presque Isle 74 def. #11-Hermon 53 [GIRLS]
#9-Gardiner 53 def. #4-Camden Hills 42  [GIRLS]
#2-Winslow 48 def. #3-Old Town 44 [BOYS]
#1-Medomak Valley 59 def. #12-Mt. Desert Island 47 [BOYS]

Cross Insurance Arena, Portland

Western Class A Semifinals

#2-Thornton Academy 42 def. #3-Gorham 32 [GIRLS]
#1-McAuley 39 def. #5-South Portland 34 [GIRLS]
Augusta Civic Center

Western Class D Semifinals

#3-Hyde 61  def. #2-Valley 47 [BOYS]
#1-Forest Hills 78 def. #4-Seacoast Christian 41 [BOYS]

Eastern Class A Semifinals

#2-Lawrence 62 def. #6-Brunswick 52 [GIRLS]
#1-Bangor 47 def. #4-Edward Little 45 [GIRLS]
#2-Hampden Academy 58 def. #3-Messalonskee 47 [BOYS]
#4-Lewiston 55 def. #1-Edward Little 45 [BOYS]