Don’t expect there to be too many people in Mars Hill on Saturday. Many are expected to travel to Bangor to watch the Central Aroostook girls basketball team compete for a state title.
The Central Aroostook girls started this year’s Class D North tournament with a flurry of defensive effort, and it was that defense that again made the difference for them in the regional championship.
Now the Panthers will take on the Valley Cavaliers of Bingham for the Class D girls state basketball title Saturday.
Central Aroostook used its formidable defense and two thrilling down-to-the-wire victories to secure its spot in the state championship at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. It will be a familiar setting for the Panthers after their exciting regional run.
“It just speaks to these girls how gritty and determined they are,” Panthers coach Cody Tompkins said after a tough comeback win in the North regional final. “They’ve had heart all year long. They came through at the end when it mattered and, for that, I’m really thankful.”
There’s a definite buzz around town in Mars Hill, Kayla Blanchard said Wednesday while working at the local Freshies.
There won’t be many people in Mars Hill over the weekend, she said, because she knows a lot of people who are heading down to Bangor for Saturday’s game.
She wasn’t able to be there last weekend when the team won the Class D North regional title, but she’s heard about the close game. The Panthers toughed out a 43-40 comeback win over the Schenck Wolverines.
“They won by like 3 points, and I was in awe,” Blanchard said. “It’s nice to see how tremendously they’ve played. They’re amazing girls.”
Sophomore guard Lilly Burtt played a crucial role for the Panthers at the end of that game, and throughout the regional tournament.
“I just really wanted to win. It’s a super exciting feeling,” Burtt said after the regional title game.
Burtt was named the MVP of the Bangor Daily News’ Class D all-tournament team, with Central Aroostook junior guard Harleigh Allen also earning a spot on the team.
“Lilly is an amazing player,” Allen said after the win over Schenck. “She has come so far this season. She has started shooting more and that has really helped our team. She is a great defender and brings fire to our team.”
The 19-2 Panthers will now take on the 21-0 Valley team at the Cross Insurance Center at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The Panthers made Maine high school basketball tournament history on their road to the state final, when their exuberant win over Wisdom in the semifinals featured the first-ever tourney use of instant replay on a potentially game-ending shot.
The Panthers seemingly won on a buzzer-beater by sophomore Charlie Pierce as she was fouled. The team celebrated together. But upon a video replay review by the officials, it was ruled that Pierce did not get that shot off in time. She had two free throws instead, and made the first to secure the victory. It was almost like Central Aroostook won that game twice.
At Al’s Diner on Wednesday, Mars Hill residents Lois and Steve Watson said they plan to watch the game on television or listen on the radio.
Steve Watson thinks a lot of residents will make the trip to Bangor, since interest in basketball has grown over the years.
“I think more people go to the games now than when we were younger,” Steve Watson said. “We’d like to see Mars Hill do it. Keep it local.”
