And the winners will be ...
So welcome to Championship Saturday, when all the winners in all the regions will be decided.
Well, except in Eastern Class A, of course, where the Bangor boys received a challenge from Edward Little before continuing their season-long stroll, and the Oxford Hills girls have their Cony opponents still wandering around Augusta with that how-did-THAT-happen look by ending the Rams' four-year reign.
It's just that way. Some teams that are expected to win do, and others don't. The trick is to figure out which is which before the game, not after.
So in that vein, the Happy Blogster is stepping out on a limb, hoping it's sturdy as all get-out, and telling you who will win today's regional championships. There will be no we-told-you-so when the games end. But if you happen to hear a snicker or two ...
Western Class A boys: Cheverus vs. Thornton Academy. There's been an undercurrent about Cheverus, about how it fails in big games at the Civic Center, how its defense isn't conducive to the larger floor, how it better hit its 3-pointers or else, and what in the world is its big man doing playing on the perimeter? Thornton has the perfect team to keep those grumblings going. It has an adept big man in Kory Martin, a wonderful point guard in Jeff Winnie, and supporting players who do a heck of a lot more than support. With all that said ... CHEVERUS.
Western Class A girls: Deering vs. Noble. Deering is too big, too strong, too determined. And how does Noble start over after its at-the-buzzer win in the semifinals? … DEERING.
Western Class B boys: Cape Elizabeth vs. Freeport. Great run for Freeport, but runs end somewhere. Yes, it's already proven it can beat the Capers. But not this time. Not at the Civic Center. … CAPE ELIZABETH.
Western Class B girls: Lake Region vs. Falmouth. Lake Region has been there, done that and there's no reason not to think it won't be there and do it again … LAKE REGION.
Western Class C boys: Dirigo vs. Winthrop. Dirigo has beaten Winthrop twice in close games this season. A third time? We think not … WINTHROP.
Western Class C girls: Madison vs. Monmouth Academy. Each team has beaten the other, but one has looked a tad more impressive. And that one is … MADISON.
Western Class D boys: Valley vs. Richmond. There was a time a few years back when Valley was winning 101 straight games. But that was then and this is now, and this is … RICHMOND.
Western Class D girls: Buckfield vs. Vinalhaven. Buckfield is undefeated, rarely challenged, and there's absolutely no reason to think that will change. … BUCKFIELD.
Eastern Class B boys: Maranacook vs. Camden Hills. A classic matchup. Each team has beaten the other once. Common sense says go with Marancook and Ryan Martin, one of the top players in the state. But there's something about Camden Hills Coach Jeff Hart and his decades of success. Thus … CAMDEN HILLS.
Eastern Class B girls: Waterville vs. Mattanawcook Academy. Nobody's beaten Waterville. Nobody will beat Waterville. Ergo … WATERVILLE.
Eastern Class C boys: Calais vs. Lee Academy. Calais is closing in on 70 straight victories. But in the surprise of the day … LEE ACADEMY.
Eastern Class D boys: Central Aroostook vs. Woodland. It's not going to be close. … CENTRAL AROOSTOOK.
Eastern Class D girls: Woodland vs. Ashland. It's won't be a completely wasted trip for those Woodland faithful. … WOODLAND.
You heard it here first.
Posted at 11:44 PM
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