AUGUSTA, Maine – The top-seeded Messalonskee boys basketball team used a balanced scoring attack and aggressive defense to pull away to a 49-37 win over Hampden Academy in the Class A North title game Friday night at the Augusta Civic Center.
Senior guard Ty Bernier tossed in a game-high 17 points, including three 3-point shots, to lead the Eagles to their 19th win of the season against two losses, earning them a spot in next Friday’s state championship game against Class A South champion Falmouth. Senior guard Ryan Parent and senior forward Parker Reynolds each chipped in with 10 points for the Eagles.
Messalonskee led 35-30 at the start of the fourth quarter then unleashed an 8-2 run to open up a comfortable 43-32 advantage with 3:16 to play. Bernier’s fall-away jumper in the lane capped the burst, with Reynolds adding a rebound-putback and two free throws, and Drake Brunelle scoring on a fastbreak layup.
The Eagles’ physical defense, which featured them contesting almost every shot, was a factor in Hampden’s 3-for-14 shooting on 3-pointers in the game.
Hampden, the No. 2 seed, finished the season 16-5. The Broncos were led by senior guard Aiden Kochendoerfer’s 14 points on the night. Junior guard Sawyer Worcester hit three 3-pointers for nine points.
Hampden coach Russ Bartlett credited Messalonskee’s Bernier for hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the first two minutes of the third quarter, changing the game’s momentum. The shots fueled an 8-2 run that gave the Eagles a 27-22 lead. Hampden would get no closer than four points the rest of the way.
“They made some tough shots, they got some separation and then we couldn’t make baskets,” Bartlett said. “We only had eight turnovers and I think the rebounding margin was about even. We just did not shoot the ball well.”