A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
The Class D North girls basketball tournament has been more like the Southern Aroostook Invitational in recent years.
Cliff Urquhart’s Warriors from Dyer Brook have won the last six regional championships and added five state titles to their trophy case.
But for the first time in seven years, the D North tourney is expected to be wide open with a number of teams capable of dethroning the youthful Warriors, who were hit hard by graduation last year and then lost junior guard Ally Shields to a season-ending knee injury during the first practice.
They lost more regular season games than they had in the previous six seasons combined.
“Ally probably would have been the best player in Class D, at least in the north,” said Urquhart. “I would have liked our chances if we had her.”
The Warriors’ other returning starter besides
Shields, junior Hannah McGary, missed over two months with a broken foot and didn’t come back until the end of January.
The list of primary contenders includes Central Aroostook of Mars Hill, Bangor Christian, Wisdom of St. Agatha, Schenck of East Millinocket and Shead of Eastport, all of which racked up a double digit amount of wins.
“I really like Bangor Christian’s athleticism,” said Urquhart. “I’ve been impressed with them all year long.
“And I like Shead. I like their balance. They seem to have four or five kids who can score in double figures at any time on any night,” said Urquhart.
“I really think it’s going to be a competitive tournament this year,” said Central Aroostook coach Cody Tompkins, who explained that he has scouted teams ranked one through 10 in the Class D North heal points standings and sees the potential for some upsets.
BY LARRY MAHONEY
“And don’t count Southern Aroostook out. They’ve had some injuries but the McGary girl is back,” said Tompkins.
“I think anybody can win it,” said Wisdom coach Kayla Dionne.
Kevin Reed’s Bangor Christian girls have played exceptional defense, holding opponents to fewer than 30 points per game.
“I tell our girls that offense comes and goes. You might not shoot well but you can always bring effort and energy on defense and the girls have bought into that,” said Reed, whose Patriots put a lot of pressure on the ball. “Our defense drives us.”
Patriots Junior guard Lyndsie Durost, a three-year starter and reigning Penobscot Valley Conference (PVC) Class D Player of the Year, is a prolific scorer who is equally adept at hitting a three or taking the ball to the rim.
Continued from page 3
Bangor Christian Junior guard Carley Andrews is a transfer from Class AA Bangor High and is an outstanding ballhandler and defender.
Another newcomer on the Patriots squad is Rivers Bradford, the eighthgrade daughter of Husson University Sports Hall of Famers Brock Bradford (basketball) and Shelby Pickering Bradford (basketball and soccer).
Reed said Bradford does a lot of things well and is also capable of scoring in double figures.
Senior Corina Walden is “one of the hardest working players I’ve coached in a long time,” said Reed, who was the Coach of the Year in PVC D a year ago.
“We’re a well-rounded team. We’re very balanced,” said Reed.
Tompkins’ Central Aroostook Panthers have a pair of big-time point producers in guards Lilly Burtt and Harleigh Allen, who both average around 17 points per game.
“They can hit the three and get to the rim. I really like those two,” said Southern Aroostook’s Urquhart.
Panthers Junior forward Maggie Mahan and sophomore center Charlie Pierce are averaging 10 points per game apiece and the 5-foot-10 Pierce is the top rebounder with over 10 per game.
Burtt leads the team in assists and steals with over five apiece.
Stevie Pierce is a dependable rebounder who can run the floor.
“We have a pretty balanced attack and we pride ourselves on defense. We like to press and that really helps us get easy points in transition,” said Tompkins.
Shead coach Dana Bowen has an AllPVC D first teamer in guard Jenna Suddy, who averages 17 points per game and is a good 3-point shooter.
“She hit five threes in a quarter. She’s tough. When she’s not on the floor, we struggle a little offensively,” said Bowen. “Teams focus on her and that opens things up for our other players.”
Sisters Adriana and Shaylynn Fender-
son also average in double figures and Danika Howze is a promising sophomore forward for Shead.
Sophomore guard Mackenzie Johnson, freshman Kearah Barnes and eighth graders Tanisha Bulmer and Calli Gray also log some playing time for the tigers.
“Our strength is our defense. We’ve been working on it for three years and it wins games for us,” said Bowen, whose team was surrendering just 36 points per game.
Wisdom has a “very young team” according to Dionne.
“I have four eighth graders including one who starts,” said Dionne.
Guard Ava Lerman and forward Kelsee Daigle are junior veterans who lead the Pioneers.
Lerman averages 20 points per game and also leads the team in assists and steals while Daigle is among the top rebounders and is also a point producer.
Sophomore guard Madison Cyr averages in double figures in points and is also an effective rebounder. The starting center is 5-foot-9 eighth grader Peyton
Roy, who can score in double figures.
Kirsten Hutchins’ Schenck Wolverines have a 2023-24 PVC Class D first teamer in junior forward Harlee Sprague and a second teamer in Addyson Freeman.
Senior center Mallory Brown and senior forward Brooklyn McAvoy help supply the Wolverines with a formidable front court and they have a pair of quality guards in Lydia Matarazzo and Abby Hutchins.
Matarazzo and McAvoy had some injury issues but returned at the end of the regular season.
“When Schenck is healthy, they’re huge. They have three centers out there who can give a lot of teams trouble,” said Urquhart.
The one lower seeded team that could pull off an upset or two is JonesportBeals, according to Urquhart.
“They play a tough schedule and, on a good night, they can beat anybody,” said Urquhart.
Guard Mia Mills was a first team AllPVC choice last year and she is complemented by Riley Balicki.
The Class A & Class AA Northern Maine High School Basketball Tournament will be held at the Augusta Civic Center. The semifinals and finals of the Class AA Tournament will be held at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
CLASS A
FRIDAY, FEB. 14
SESSION 1
• 4:00 A GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6
• 5:30 A GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7
• 7:00 A GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5
• 8:30 A GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8
SATURDAY, FEB. 15
SESSION 3
• 4:00 A BOYS 3 VS BOYS 6
• 5:30 A BOYS 2 VS BOYS 7
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19
SESSION 8
• 2:00 A GIRLS WINNER 3/6 VS. GIRLS WINNER 2/7
• 3:30 A GIRLS WINNER 4/5 VS. GIRLS WINNER 1/8
SESSION 9
• 7:00 A BOYS WINNER 3/6 VS. BOYS WINNER2/7
• 8:30 A BOYS WINNER 4/5 VS. BOYS WINNER 1/8
FRIDAY, FEB. 21
REGIONAL FINALS
• 6:00 A GIRLS REGIONAL FINAL • 7:45 A BOYS REGIONAL FINAL
FRIDAY, FEB. 28 STATE FINALS
• 6:05 GIRLS STATE FINALS
• 7:45 BOYS STATE FINALS FOR ONGOING UPDATES, PHOTOS, & SCORES, VISIT BANGORDAILYNEWS.COM
• 7:00 A BOYS 4 VS BOYS 5
• 8:30 A BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19
• 2:00 AA NORTH GIRLS WINNER 3/6 VS. WINNER 2/7
• 3:45 AA NORTH GIRLS WINNER 4/5 VS. WINNER 1/8
THURSDAY, FEB. 20
• 2:00 AA NORTH BOYS WINNER 3/6 VS. WINNER 2/7
• 3:45 AA NORTH BOYS WINNER 4/5 VS. WINNER 1/8
SATURDAY, FEB. 22
• 2:00 AA NORTH GIRLS REGIONAL FINALS
• 3:45 AA NORTH BOYS REGIONAL FINALS
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
STATE FINALS
• 7:05 AA GIRLS STATE FINALS
• 8:45 AA BOYS STATE FINALS
The Class B, C & D Northern Maine High School Basketball Tournament will be held at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The finals of the Class B Tournament will be held at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
FRIDAY, FEB. 14
SESSION 1
• 4:00 B GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6
• 5:30 B GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7
• 7:00 B BOYS 3 VS. BOYS 6
• 8:30 B BOYS 2 VS. BOYS 7
SATURDAY, FEB. 15
SESSION 2
• 9:00 D GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6
• 10:30 D GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7
• 12 NOON D BOYS 3 VS. D BOYS 6
SESSION 3
• 4:00 B GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5
• 5:30 B GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8
• 7:00 B BOYS 4 VS. BOYS 5
• 8:30 B BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8
MONDAY, FEB. 17 SESSION 4
• 9:00 D GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5
• 10:30 D GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8
• 12 NOON D BOYS 4 VS. BOYS 5
• 1:30 D BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8
SESSION 5
• 4:00 C GIRLS 3 VS. GIRLS 6
• 5:30 C GIRLS 2 VS. GIRLS 7
• 7:00 C BOYS 3 VS. BOYS 6
• 8:30 C BOYS 2 VS. C BOYS 7
TUESDAY, FEB. 18
SESSION 6
• 4:00 C GIRLS 4 VS. GIRLS 5
• 5:30 C GIRLS 1 VS. GIRLS 8
• 8:30 C BOYS 1 VS. BOYS 8 FOR ONGOING UPDATES, PHOTOS, & SCORES, VISIT BANGORDAILYNEWS.COM
• 1:30 D BOYS 2 VS. D BOYS 7
• 7:00 C BOYS 4 VS. BOYS 5
Continued on page 10
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19 SEMIFINALS
SESSION 7
• 10:00 D GIRLS 3/6 WINNER VS. GIRLS WINNER 2/7
• 11:30 D GIRLS 4/5 WINNER VS. GIRLS WINNER 1/8
SESSION 8
• 2:00 B GIRLS 3/6 WINNER VS. GIRLS WINNER 2/7
• 3:30 B GIRLS 4/5 WINNER VS. GIRLS 1/8 WINNER
SESSION 9
• 7:00 B BOYS 3/6 WINNER VS. BOYS WINNER 2/7
• 8:30 B BOYS 4/5 WINNER VS. BOYS WINNER1/8
8
THURSDAY, FEB. 20 SEMIFINALS
SESSION 10
• 10:00 D BOYS 3/6 WINNER VS. BOYS WINNER 2/7
• 11:30 D BOYS 4/5 WINNER VS. BOYS WINNER1/8
SESSION 11
• 2:00 C GIRLS 3/6 WINNER VS. GIRLS WINNER 2/7
• 3:30 C GIRLS 4/5 WINNER VS. GIRLS WINNER 1/8
SESSION 12
• 7:00 C BOYS 3/6 WINNER VS. BOYS WINNER 2/7
• 8:30 C BOYS 4/5 WINNER VS. BOYS WINNER 1/8
CLASS B, C & D
FRIDAY, FEB. 21
REGIONAL FINALS
SESSION 13
• 6:00 B GIRLS REGIONAL FINAL
• 7:45 B BOYS REGIONAL FINAL
SATURDAY, FEB. 22
REGIONAL FINALS
SESSION 14
• 1:00 D GIRLS REGIONAL FINAL
• 2:45 D BOYS REGIONAL FINAL
SESSION 15
• 6:00 C GIRLS REGIONAL FINAL
• 7:45 C BOYS REGIONAL FINAL
Continued from page 10
SATURDAY, MARCH 1 STATE FINALS
• 1:05 B GIRLS STATE FINALS*
• 2:45 B BOYS STATE FINALS*
• 1:05 D GIRLS STATE FINALS
• 2:45 D BOYS STATE FINALS
• 7:05 C GIRLS STATE FINALS
• 8:45 C BOYS STATE FINALS
*THE FINALS OF THE CLASS B TOURNAMENT WILL BE HELD AT THE CROSS INSURANCE ARENA IN PORTLAND.
Whenfans enter the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor to support their team in the Maine High School Basketball Tournament, they are thinking about the players, the close games, and cheering for their favorite team. But they may also be thinking about where to get food and drinks and how to find the best seat. That’s where the team at the Cross Insurance Center comes in.
Each year, the venue hosts eight days of high school basketball as part of the tournament, and “tourney time” is a lot of work for staff. On average, about 45,000 people enter the Cross Insurance Center; making the tourney a positive experience
for that many people takes a lot of work and thorough preparation.
“We have all hands on deck for this,” said Chris McGrail, general manager at the Cross Insurance Center, emphasizing that the whole team does everything they can to make sure fans get to focus on nothing but the basketball.
According to McGrail, the Cross Insurance Center hosts 200 to 220 events per year, and while the tournament is similar to other events in many ways, there is something unique about tourney time. The preparation process is similar to other events. McGrail said they start a year in advance, learning
from the previous year’s tournament and making plans based on what worked and what could be better. When people come into the building, the Cross Insurance team wants to ensure they are getting through lines quickly, have access to convenient concessions, and are comfortable in a clean building.
The tournament is special in that it’s the largest event the venue hosts on an annual basis, and it’s one of the staff’s favorites.
“The tournament is just about everyone’s favorite event we host,” said Brad LaBree, director of sales and marketing. “The energy is electric, and the fans come
BY CRYSTAL SANDS
in with so much excitement. We all have so much fun.”
That fun may be an additional motivator for staff who are working hard to make sure this year’s tournament is even better than the last. The team is paying close attention to the weather and working with the city to ensure parking lots and sidewalks are clear of snow and ice. McGrail said parking areas, entrances, and signage will be the same as previous years.
One of the biggest changes fans can expect is in concessions. McGrail said the staff noticed that concessions were creating bottlenecks in the flow of traffic in
past years, so a new system for concessions will be in place this year. According to McGrail, the team has earmarked spaces that don’t usually have points of sale and created a convenience-store style concession system.
“We have created a system where people can shop for drinks and chips, pay at the exit, and get back to the game,” McGrail said. “We want to make sure fans can grab what they want and get back to the action.”
Both McGrail and LaBree agree that the goal is always to make the experience positive for everyone in attendance. Planning for this year’s tournament began
after last year’s tournament, and the team is always learning.
“Our goal is to always improve from one event to the next and make tweaks as necessary,” said LaBree.
McGrail, LaBree, and the entire staff of the Cross Insurance Center will, in-
deed, be all hands on deck for tourney time. Their goal is to make sure the tournament runs as smoothly as possible so fans focus on the game and enjoy an experience to remember, from the three-point shots and the great defense to those long shots at the buzzer.
