PORTLAND, Maine – The Gray-New Gloucester boys basketball team defeated Hampden Academy 52-41 in the Class A boys basketball championship on Saturday afternoon, at a deafeningly loud Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
Trailing 24-22 coming out of halftime, Gray-New Gloucester outscored Hampden 21-10 in the third quarter and sank nine of their 10 fourth quarter free throws to ice it. Hampden didn’t allow any fourth quarter field goals, but managed just three of their own and coughed up four turnovers against the Patriots’ full court press.
Hampden ended its season at 19-3, and Gray New-Gloucester 20-2.
It was the Patriots’ first state title since 1975, and Hampden’s eleventh state final appearance in school history. Patriots first-year head coach Ian McCarthy has been with the program for five years, and was extremely impressed with his team’s solidarity and second half execution.
“The start of the game didn’t go quite as planned, but they stuck together and made all these fans proud,” McCarthy said. “We felt our pace wasn’t where we needed it — our guards needed to stretch the court out and get all the way down to the baseline — that was key. They trust each other, they love each other, which makes coaching easier when they all get along.”
Gray-New Gloucester was led by senior guard Nate Hebert (21 points, four 3-pointers, four rebounds), his nephew senior Noah Hebert (eight points, two 3-pointers, three assists, five rebounds) and senior Carter Libby (nine points, four rebounds, three steals).
Class A South tournament MVP junior guard Johnny Patenaude added nine points and an assist for the Patriots.
“We didn’t have the greatest offensive night, but our defense definitely stepped up — we really picked up the tempo in the third,” Poland High School transfer Patenaude said. “It’s my first year here, and they welcomed me like I’ve been here my whole life. We put in the work, and it paid off.”
Hampden senior duo JJ Wolfington (14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists) and Zach McLaughlin (10 points, eight rebounds, three steals) were held to just six total second half points by the Patriots.
The Broncos’ sophomore point guard Sawyer Worcester scored nine points (3-for-4 shooting from beyond the arc) and dished out two assists. Junior guard Aiden Kochendoerfer scored seven, and the lanky Henaghen brothers Liam (sophomore) and Andy (junior) combined for five offensive rebounds and two assists.
“First half, we got off to a little bit of a slow start, but we settled in. The score was right where we needed it at the half,” 21-year Hampden head coach Russ Bartlett said. “Third quarter we just did not make enough shots — that was when they got their separation. We did everything we could tonight, but we didn’t make enough plays. That was the best team we’ve played this year.”
The Broncos were down 8-2 to start play, but reclaimed a 13-9 lead in the second quarter. Flash forward to the fourth, Hampden quickly cut a 46-36 deficit to 46-41, but that was the closest the Broncos would come.