Maine High School Basketball State Championships Scores + Highlights

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Defending State Champs Hampden Broncos Fall To Portland in Class A Final

Anna Travers Photography [MORE PICS][/caption]The Portland Bulldogs started strong and never looked back as they bested the defending state champion Hampden Academy Broncos 54-40 Saturday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

The loss ended the Broncos' 43-game win streak.

Portland dominated from the opening tip, scoring the first 5 points, and stretching the lead to 12 at halftime. After that, Hampden never got closer than 11 points.

Senior Zach Gilpin led the Broncos with 22 points, wrapping up his impressive high school career. Nick Gilpin had 7 points. Isaiah Bess was held scoreless in the game.

The Broncos turned the ball over 14 times in the game.

Portland was led by Matt Talbot's 16 points. Justin Zukowski and Jayvon Pitts-Young each had 12 points.

Hodgdon Hawks Hold Off Late Charge from Valley To Claim D Boys Crown

The Hodgdon Hawks held off a late charge from the Valley Cavaliers in a thrilling Class D championship game Saturday afternoon at the Augusta Civic Center.

The Hawks led from the opening tip, but Valley cut the lead to 1 point with 30 seconds left in the contest. When the final buzzer sounded, the Hawks walked away with a hard-fought 51-46 victory.

Junior Chris Hudson stole the ball and was fouled with 3 seconds left. He sunk tow key free throws to put the game out of reach for the Cavaliers. Hudson had 21 points on the night.

For Valley, senior Jordan Gillespie led scorers with 14 points.

It was the first state title for Hodgdon since 1996.

Washburn Girls Complete Fourth Straight State Title Quest

The Washburn Beavers won their fourth straight Class D state championship on Saturday in the first game of state championship Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

With the 78-40 win, the Beavers broke the Class D record for points scored in a state title game, and became part of schoolgirl history by joining the ranks of only three other girls teams (Gorham, Lawrence and Westbrook) that have won four straight gold balls.

Washburn's relentless defense led to frequent turnovers for the Tigers, who had come within 5 points of the Beavers early in the second quarter at 22-17.

Washburn pulled away in the second half as turnovers began to mount. Junior Mackenzie Worcester led Washburn with 27 points.

Senior Carmen Bragg had 24 points. Senior Nicole Olson added 11.

Bouchard Seals OT Win for Houlton in Class C Title Game

Junior Kyle Bouchard sealed a Class C crown for Houlton in the final 1.7 seconds of overtime with two key free throws, giving the Shiretowners a 58-56 win over Waynflete at the Augusta Civic Center.

Bouchard led all scorers with 28 points, including 6 in the extra session. Christian Crane turned in a great performance off the bench, finishing with 15 points.

It is Houlton's first state championship since 2004.

Old Town Coyotes Roll Over Poland Knights for Class B Crown

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The Old Town Coyotes cruised to a win over the western Maine champion Poland Knights on Friday night to claim their first state championship in 23 years.

Junior guard Eric Hoogterp led the way with 24 points for the Coyotes in their 64-39 win at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. Junior forward Mitchell Cole had 14 and senior Garvey Melmed added 8.

"I hadn't been playing well in the tournament, so I had to step it up," Hoogterp said after the game.

For the Knights, senior Caleb Martin had 17 in the loss. It was a convincing win for the Coyotes who wore the Knights down with tough defense in the second half, outscoring Poland 21-7 in the final eight minutes.

Both teams came into the tournament as No. 6 seeds in their respective regions, but upset higher seeds along the way. Old Town's path to their division crown went through Waterville in a play-in game, and then MDI, Ellsworth and Caribou at the Cross Center.

Poland upset top-ranked Greely to claim the western Maine crown.

Lake Region Claims Class B Title Over MDI Trojans

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The Lake Region Lakers girls proved too much for the MDI Trojans on Friday night, claiming the state championship with a 56-47 win at the Cross insurance Center in Bangor.

The gold ball was a long time coming for the Lakers, who had made the state finals in five of the last eight years, losing each time -- three times to Waterville and twice to Presque Isle.

Tiana-Jo Carter, the Lakers' 6'2" senior standout, scored 21 points in the win. Sophomore guard Sierra "C.C." Hancock had 16 for Lake Region, which finished 21-1 on the season.

Carter is set to return to the Cross Center next year to play against the University of Maine women's team as a member of the University of Albany Great Danes.

For MDI, senior Hannah Shaw led scorers with 13 points, Junior guard Sarah Phelps added 11 for the Trojans, who finished 19-3 on the year.

MDI had punched its ticket to the state finals after knocking off the top two seeds in the Eastern Maine draw. After a tight semifinal game with No. 2 Nokomis, the Trojans defeated defending champs Presque Isle in the Eastern Maine title game, ending the Wildcats 64-game winning streak.

Friday, Feb. 28

Cross Insurance Center, Bangor

Class B State Finals

Lake Region 56, MDI 47 [GIRLS]
Old Town 64 Poland 39[BOYS]

Saturday, March 1

Augusta Civic Center

Class D State Finals

Washburn 78. Forest Hills 40 [GIRLS]
Hodgdon 51 Valley 46 [BOYS]

Class C State Finals

Calais 52, Carrabec 40 [GIRLS]
Houlton 58, Waynflete 56 [BOYS] [OT]

Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland

Class A State Finals

McAuley 67, Oxford Hills 41 [GIRLS]
Portland 54, Hampden Academy 40 [BOYS]