Thornton collects its first basketball title
Class A boys: The Trojans take control late, helped by Edward Little’s lack of composure, and win 54-52.

Deering still the best
Class A girls: The Rams stay state champs and cap a perfect season with a dominating second half.

After all this time and all these years, there’s a state-title feeling in Saco
Thornton Academy first trip to a basketball state final results in a championship.

They came and saw a team that conquered
Class A notebook: Thornton Academy alumni flock to Augusta to see their school's first basketball state championship.

Calais, Jay pull out dramatic wins
Class C: Calais edges Dirigo for its third boys' state championship in four years, and Jay beats George Stevens for its first girls' title.

Woodland thwarts Richmond\'s comeback bid
Class D boys: The Dragons hold off a late charge to win their first state championship.

Woodland repeats as state champion
Class D girls: The Dragons earn their fifth girls' state title in nine years with a 49-35 win over Valley.

Windjammers answer challenge by beating Capers
Class B boys: Camden Hills caps its 22-0 season by pulling away late from stubborn Cape Elizabeth.

Class A girls' basketball state final
Deering (21-0) vs. Messalonskee (19-2)

Thornton new guy seeking old title
Ian Barwise is back in the state final with the Trojans after helping Cheverus win it all last season.

Senior subs give Panthers a spark
Jasmine Bishop and Taylor Hart play key roles in Waterville's third straight state title victory.

Keeping track? 66 straight for Waterville
Class B girls: The Panthers continue their state-title reign, pulling away late for a third straight state title.

Richmond on new route
Class D boys: Two teams that began the season with vastly different expectations meet for the state championship.

Valley eyes upset
Class D girls: The Cavaliers go into the state championship game as big underdogs against defending champ Woodland.

STEVE SOLLOWAYMaking a point about too few points in the tournaments
A lack of good offense may be hurting interest in high school basketball.

Class B boys: Capers face a daunting task
It's step-up time for Cape Elizabeth, which faces an unbeaten and hardly tested opponent in Camden Hills.

Still a coach, and still a winner
Rick Clark has guided York for 27 years, and appreciates the special group in tonight's state final.

Streak shooters
Waterville is 32 minutes of fury away from 66 straight wins and three straight state titles

TOM CHARDHigh School Notebook: Worthy champions in the East
Camden Hills and Edward Little area ready for the state championship games this weekend.

Messalonskee thrives in wide-open offense
The Eagles have used their improvisational skills to reach the Class A state championship game.

Valley's super sophs
Guards Cindy Schultz and Jocelyn Laweryson have led the Cavaliers to within a victory of a Class D state championship.

The cog on a team with big wheels
Diana Manduca is the leader of a Deering girls' basketball team laden with talent, seeking a title.

Richmond seniors know roles, play them well
Matt Brown, Eric Curtis and Josh Brown aren't high scorers, but they've still helped the Bobcats make it to the Class D state championship game.

Enjoying a new perspective
Paul Vachon still loves basketball, but doesn't miss coaching.

Waterville\'s Nale makes opponents pay
Junior guard Jen Nale has become an all-around standout for the unbeaten Panthers.

So sweet for Deering last year, and sweeter this time around
Western Class A girls: The Rams repeat as regional champs, and now the last giant hurdle is all that remains.

At long last, Thornton's in a state final
Western Class A boys: The Trojans take command early, then hit late free throws to put away a victory over Portland.

One more time … Cape
Western Class B boys: Cape Elizabeth beats Falmouth to repeat as regional champion.

York ends its title drought
Western Class B girls: The unbeaten Wildcats smother Greely, earning their first regional championship in 15 years.

It's part of their basketball gear, those scissors for cutting down nets.
The Camden Hills boys and Waterville girls have grown accustomed to celebrating championships.

Camden Hills collects another Eastern Maine crown
Eastern Class B boys: The Windjammers are headed back to the state final after a 62-37 win over Rockland.

Frame carries Waterville to another state final
Eastern Class B girls: Morgan Frame scores 36 points, and the Panthers beat John Bapst for their third straight regional title.

Knight, Dirigo prove too much for Wiscasset
Western Class C boys: The Cougars get 28 points from big man Thomas Knight in a 64-44 win.

Yes, everything’s A-OK with Jay
Western Class C girls: The Tigers rally past Waynflete after a slow start and win the title with a 40-38 victory.

Bobcats make it three titles in a row
Western Class D boys: Richmond wears down top-ranked Forest Hills to continue its reign in the region, 41-30.

Schultz’s late 3-pointer sends Valley to state final
Western Class D girls: Cindy Schultz caps a second-half comeback by the Cavaliers in a 40-39 win over Rangeley.

Familiar, yet ever so different
Thornton Academy and Portland have evolved since their last meeting in the regular-season opener.

Messalonskee claims regional title
Eastern Class A girls: The Eagles are headed to their first Class A state final after knocking off No. 1 Skowhegan, 41-37.

Deering rolls into regional final
Western Class A girls: The Rams contain Noble’s biggest threat and will take a 20-0 record into a game against Biddeford.

Biddeford in the zone
Western Class A girls: The Tigers switch defenses and finally beat Scarborough to reach the regional final.

Edward Little stops Lawrence\'s run
Eastern Class A boys: The top-ranked Red Eddies advance to the state final for the first time since 1957.

Falmouth scores a few, then a phew
Western Class B boys: The Yachtsmen take command in the third quarter and hold on against Lake Region.

Capers' stunning final play a winner
Western Class B boys: A long pass and layup at the buzzer ends the season for No. 1 Greely.

Strong second half lifts Wiscasset
Western Class C boys: Despite a cold-shooting first half, Wiscasset gets past St. Dom's, 47-42.

No. 1 Dirigo overwhelms Traip
Western Class C boys: Tom Knight scores 23 points as the Cougars roll into the regional final.

Greely suffocates Mountain Valley
Western Class B girls: The Rangers ride their defense to a 49-27 semifinal win.

The showdown proves a letdown
Western Class B girls: Defense decides it as York beats Falmouth in a rematch of a close game.

No. 1 Waynflete headed to regional final
Western Class C girls: Annie Cutler and Morgan Woodhouse combine for 30 points in a 49-42 win over Mt. Abram.

This time, Winthrop can't stop Jay
Western Class C girls: Veteran guard Liz LeBlanc grabs back momentum late in the game to give the Tigers a 41-35 victory.

Rangeley beats Buckfield in final seconds
Western Class D girls: Allie Hammond nails two free throws to upset the No. 1-seeded Bucks.