Printer-friendly version Reader Comments

From staff reports February 29, 2008

GIRLS
LAKE REGION (19-2)
COACH: Paul True
STARTING LINEUP: Guards: Krysti Leach, 5- foot-4, Sr. (6.8 ppg); Abby Hancock, 5-4, So. (6.7 ppg); Center: Morgan McClean, 5-9, So. (5.8 ppg); Forwards: Renee Nicholas, 5-6, Sr. (11.5 ppg); Erica Webb, 5-7, Sr. (5.3 ppg)
KEYS TO VICTORY: The Lakers need to control the tempo. They can either slow it down and limit Waterville's scoring chances or play a frenetic defense to knock Waterville out of its offensive rhythm. Lake Region will continue to move the ball around offensively, looking for the open shot. Defensively, the Lakers must contain Frame. Look for them to throw a lot of different looks as they try to confuse Waterville's guards.
WATERVILLE (21-0)
COACH: Ted Rioux
STARTING LINEUP: Guards: Stephanie Whitten, 5- foot-4, Jr. (7.4 ppg); Jen Nale, 5-7, So. (13.8 ppg); Paige Gardiner, 5-7, Jr. (7.0 ppg); Center: Morgan Frame, 6-1, Jr., (18.7 ppg); Forward: Sarah Given, 5-7, Sr. (10.9 ppg)
KEYS TO VICTORY: The Panthers have won 43 consecutive games by doing the same thing every night -- getting the ball inside to Frame and playing tight team defense. Frame is not only a powerful scorer inside, but teams must pay so much attention to her that other players, such as Nale and Whitten, get free for open shots. Waterville will face intense pressure from Lake Region's defense and needs to limit its turnovers.

BOYS
CAPE ELIZABETH (19-2)
COACH: Jim Ray
STARTERS: Forwards: Alex Bowe, 6-foot-2, Jr. (16.5 ppg), Andrew Dickey, 6-3, So. (12.3 ppg); Center: Ian Place, 6-4, Sr. (4.6 ppg); Guards: Tom Ray, 6-2, Sr. (7.5 ppg), John Messina, 5-10, Jr. (5.1 ppg)
KEYS TO VICTORY: The Capers will look to keep the game's tempo at a moderate pace. They don't want to get into a run-and-gun game, which is Maranacook's forte. They will have to take care of the ball, as the Black Bears are sure to press. Cape will have to play excellent defense to slow down Ryan Martin and Will Bardaglio, who can score points in bunches. Cape will look to get the ball to Bowe and Dickey, the two top scorers. Getting off to a fast start would build Cape's confidence and possibly quiet the large Eastern Maine crowd at the Bangor Auditorium.
MARANACOOK (21-0)
COACH: Rob Schmidt
STARTERS: Forwards: Will Bardaglio, 6-foot-2, Sr. (14.0 ppg), Devin Gerrity, 6-1, Jr. (6.6 ppg); Center: Conrad Gilman, 6-5, Sr. (6.7 ppg); Guards: Ryan Martin, 5-8, Sr. (23.5 ppg), Mike Poulin, 6-0 Sr. (10.5 ppg)
KEYS TO VICTORY: No shot is a bad shot as far as the Black Bears are concerned. Maranacook averaged 73 points a game during the regular season by taking the ball and running. They will look to push the ball at all times against Cape Elizabeth. Martin and Bardaglio are both dangerous from 3- point range. They're also excellent at penetrating the defense and dishing off. Martin is a three-time Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference player of the year who has scored over 1,800 points in his career. The Black Bears will press Cape, looking to get points off turnovers. Maranacook will also look to shut down Cape`s top scorers, Bowe and Dickey.