Things didn’t look good for the Washington Academy boys basketball team heading into the fourth quarter on Tuesday.
The No. 5 seed in Class C North was down 37-29 to the No. 4 Foxcroft Academy Ponies heading into that final period. But the Raiders were able to dig deep and take over in the fourth, riding a 10-0 run to a 52-42 win.
And how did they do it?
“I said to my assistant coach, I don’t know what happened,” Washington Academy coach Justin Crosman said after the win. “But I think Luis happened.”
That’s junior Luis Rosa, who just became an unlikely star of the Maine high school basketball tournament.
Rosa is from Brazil and the team’s only boarding student, according to his coach. And though he grew up playing soccer, Rosa looked awfully comfortable on the basketball floor Tuesday.
He jumpstarted the Raiders late run with back-to-back and-1 buckets, showing a combination of skill around the basket and high-energy passion on the court.
“We work hard every day, so I’m just here to do my job,” Rosa said after the comeback win. “I came all the way from Brazil.”
The junior said he is having fun and proud of the whole team, not just himself. And he said it was the message from the Raiders coach heading into the fourth quarter that got them going.
“We sat down, coach told us, ‘It’s right now or never. If we lose this game, we’re done,’” Rosa said. “And I don’t want to be done. I want to keep going.”
Crosman said Rosa is a positive and encouraging teammate.
“He’s a great kid to have on the team,” the coach said. “Super positive, probably talks more than anybody.”
Asked about his unlikely journey from Brazil to the Bangor basketball tournament, Rosa seemed to be reveling in the moment.
“It’s awesome, actually. I never imagined it before,” he said. “I started playing basketball a couple years ago, so I never imagined playing at this level, a lot of people watching me.”
After growing up playing soccer, Rosa is embracing basketball.
“Yeah, I love it,” he said.
And he wasn’t daunted by the bright lights of tournament time, either.
“I love pressure,” said the forward. “The more people, the better.”
Rosa ended up leading the Raiders in scoring with 13 points to go along with six rebounds, tied most on the team. Carter Wannemacher and Parker Cates each had nine points for Washington Academy.
The upset also ended the season for one of the most interesting teams in Maine basketball this season, with Foxcroft Academy having a strong year in Class C North led by one of the state’s most inspiring top players.
Foxcroft senior forward Lennon McAfee turned into a top offensive threat despite having to overcome a lot in his life. And he added 17 more points Tuesday, tied for a team lead with Lucas Sands. Both of those Foxcroft seniors also finished with seven rebounds and five steals.
Washington Academy will now move on to play in the Class C North semifinals on Thursday.