Central Aroostook’s Lilly Burtt (#22) attempts a shot by Valley’s Madeline Hill (#00) in the girls Class D State Championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on March 1, 2025. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN
The Valley Lady Cavaliers of Bingham sported game-altering defense for 32 minutes Saturday afternoon to win their first Class D state championship title at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Valley, the South regional champions, capitalized on fast-breaks stemming from their defense against North regional winners the Central Aroostook Panthers. The Cavaliers won 47-28.
Central Aroostook’s Lilly Burtt (#22) attempts a shot in front of Valley’s Madeline Hill (#00) and Liana Hartwell (#20) in the girls Class D State Championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on March 1, 2025. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN
Valley’s Liana Hartwell (#20) pressures Central Aroostook’s Harleigh Allen (#4) in the girls Class D State Championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on March 1, 2025. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN
Valley led 21-12 at halftime and continued to pour on the points out of the break, spearheaded by senior guard Madeline Hill. Valley outscored Central Aroostook by 10 points in the second half.
Hill was the highest-scoring player of the game with 16 points with teammate Liana Hartwell, a freshman guard, scoring 12 points to aid in the win.
Valley’s Madeline Hill (#00) defends against Central Aroostook’s Lilly Burtt (#22) in the girls Class D State Championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on March 1, 2025. Valley won the game 47-28. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN
Central Aroostook’s Stevi Pierce (#32) attempts to block a shot by Valley’s Liana Hartwell (#20) in the girls Class D State Championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on March 1, 2025. Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN
The Lady Cavaliers were runner-ups last year in the state championship game and have made several appearances before then, never claiming the title until now.
“I think it really gave us experience,” Hill said. “It really drove us to come back and be better.”
Valley’s Madeline Hill (center) and teammates celebrate with the gold ball after their 47-28 victory over Central Aroostook in the girls Class D State Championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on March 1, 2025 Credit: Linda Coan O'Kresik / BDN
Emily Bontatibus is a third-year journalism student at the University of Maine who specializes in sports writing and content creation. She has three years of freelance experience that focuses on Maine...
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