They have played three times, each game better than the one before.
Madison and Monmouth Academy entered the Western Class C girls' basketball tournament seeded 1-2, and now their fourth meeting will be for a trip to the state championship game.
The matchup many expected is scheduled for 7:05 tonight at the Augusta Civic Center. Madison (19-1) won at Monmouth and in the Mountain Valley Conference championship game in Augusta. Monmouth (19-2) won at Madison in the last game of the regular season.
In all three meetings, Monmouth has been on top at halftime, holding leads of two, 11 and four points.
"We've talked about getting out and getting a jump on them early," Madison Coach Al Veneziano said. "I think our shot selection needs to be better in the first half, and our ball movement also."
Veneziano obviously hopes to slow Monmouth guard Jenn Lola, who scored 28 points when the Mustangs defeated Madison and will be playing at the University of Southern Maine next season. But Veneziano also stressed the need to shut down center Alyssa Morin.
The only starter on either team who is not a senior, Morin had 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Mustangs held off Waynflete in the semifinals.
Lola had just six points in that game, but Monmouth Coach Rick Amero said she was still a major factor.
"She might have had only six points but she didn't get frustrated," Amero said. "She let the game come to her. She had a great rebounding game and made some beautiful passes."
Monmouth also won because players like Morin, Moe Beaulieu, Jill Armstrong and Katie Woodman made pivotal contributions. Amero sees Madison as having the same kind of well-rounded offense. Margo Russell hit the winning shot at the buzzer in the conference championship game, but Lacey Ashbrook, Briann Emery and Danielle Hebert all have been consistent outside shooters.
"When they make a run against us, it's never the same person," Amero said. "They´ve just got a lot of players who can step up and make plays for them. They've got a lot of talent up and down that lineup."
Matt DiFilippo -- 861-9243
mdifilippo@centralmaine.com
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