Maranacook wants a wide-open game in tonight's Class B state championship against Western Maine winner Cape Elizabeth.
The Black Bears flourish in the open court with an uptempo style that led them to the Class B state championship two years ago. They return three starters from that team in seniors Ryan Martin, Mike Poulin and Will Bardaglio.
"We're going to have to take away easy baskets and take care of the ball," said veteran Cape coach Jim Ray, whose team is riding a 16-game win streak.
The Capers, 19-2, are making their first appearance in a state title game since winning in 1988.
"One stretch we went to four Western Maine finals and couldn't get that win," said Ray, in his 14th season as head coach.
Cape Elizabeth features a balanced lineup with good overall size. Junior Andrew Bowe (pronounced Bovey) leads the team in scoring at 16 points a game, but it was 6-foot-3 sophomore Andrew Dickey who was named MVP of the Western Maine tournament.
Senior Tom Ray, the coach's son, shares point guard duties with John Messina, while 6-5 Ian Place is the team's center. Shaine Burks leads a trio of strong players off the bench.
"If you look at our stats, it's hard to determine who's that standout guy," Ray said. "You've got to cover everybody."
Martin, who was named Eastern Class B tournament MVP, has been the focal point on many opposing defenses. He led the Black Bears in scoring this season at 23.3 points a game, but he had plenty of support throughout the season and especially during the tournament.
"Conrad (Gilman) is playing really well and Devin (Gerrity) has come up clutch for us," Poulin said. "We're really playing well as a team right now, it's not just one or two people getting the job done."
The 6-5 Gilman has been a rebounding force for Maranacook down the stretch while Gerrity averaged 15.3 points in three tournament games and set a tourney record with 11 3-pointers.
The teams met in preseason but neither coach puts much stock in that since players were missing from both lineups.
"They were big and athletic, I know that," Maranacook coach Rob Schmidt said.
Schmidt's team averaged 73 points a game during the regular season but upped that to 86.5 points in its last two tournament games. The Black Bears will press, not only for steals and easy baskets, but to increase the tempo of the game.
"That will be our strategy, to get them in a running game," Schmidt said.
Gary Hawkins -- 621-5638
ghawkins@centralmaine.com
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