The Valley Cavaliers from Bingham took home the first state title in the newly-created Class S to be crowned Maine champions once again on Saturday.
The Cavalier girls’ win was never much in doubt as they jumped out to an early 18-4 lead over Wisdom of St. Agatha en route to a 48-30 championship victory at the Augusta Civic Center.
It was the Valley girls’ second-straight state championship after they took home the Class D title last year.
Clockwise, from top left: Valley head coach Gordon Hartwell speaks to his team in between the first and second quarter of the Class S State Championship game at the Augusta Civic Center agaiinst Wisdom High School on Saturday afternoon; Madi Cyr of Wisdom and Liana Hartwell of Valley end up on the floor after fighting for possession of the basketball in the first quarter of the Class S State Championship game at the Augusta Civic Center; Wisdom High’s Pioneer mascot kept the Wisdom fans fired up during the Class S State Championship game against Valley High at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday afternoon; Wisidom High School’s band made the trip to support the girls basketball team in their State Championship Class S game against Valley High at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday afternoon. Credit: Josh O’Donnell / BDN
Saturday’s state title was the first awarded in the new Class S, created this year for Maine schools with enrollment below 100 students.
The win for Valley started what could be a very big day for the small school from Bingham, with the Cavalier boys team set to compete for their own Class S state championship immediately following the girls game.
The girls from Valley finished the year 21-1 after winning the Class S South regional title to earn their spot in Saturday’s state game.
The Cavaliers capped a dominant run in the postseason tournament, having won their previous three South regional games by a staggering average of more than 50 points per contest.
That made Saturday’s state championship the closest game they played all tournament.
Valley’s only loss of the year came during the regular season against Class D school Bangor Christian.
North regional champ Wisdom wrapped up an impressive 20-2 campaign that included a regional Most Valuable Player award for senior guard Ava Lerman.
Lerman led all scorers Saturday with 20 points. But the balanced Valley attack was too much.
The Cavaliers were led by sophomore Delia Hill with 13, sophomore Liana Hartwell with 10, and senior Kristen Bigelow with eight.