There may be no class in the North region tougher to predict confidently than Class D. Machias has been the undisputed powerhouse for the bulk of the season, going 14-0 to start. That included two victories over Bangor Christian, one of the top contenders right behind the Bulldogs.
Machias finished the regular season with a 17-1 record after a late loss to Fort Kent. Bangor Christian went 16-2 and Madawaska went 15-3.
Machias has strong senior leadership, including from 1,000-point scorer Mickey Fitzsimmons and fellow-guard Liam O’Connor. The Bulldogs pair of wins over Bangor Christian gives credence to their front-runner status.
Bangor Christian similarly boasts two of the best players in the division, with senior forward Jesse Booker recently hitting the 1,000-point mark for his high school career and junior guard Rajon Reed commanding the backcourt.
Reed said a key for the Bangor Christian Patriots during the tournament will be sticking with what they know, and not panicking if there are moments that rattle them as a team.
Madawaska’s record and its experience getting to the Class C North final a year ago also demand respect heading into the tournament. The Owls’ Quinn Pelletier was already one of the tourney’s most captivating players a year ago, and he was only an eighth grader playing up with the high schoolers.
Now a freshman, Pelletier is having another strong season. He and the Owls could make things interesting in an already thrilling Class D North lineup.