February 19 - Somebody associated with Lee Academy (someone who should know), mentioned to me this afternoon that the Lee Academy boys' basketball team had never won an Eastern Maine Championship - in any class. They were wrong. They were Class M champions in 1942. Anyway, back to my thoughts on this afternoon's game. After hearing his comment and watching the Lee boys pretty well handle the vaunted Calais Blue Devils for two quarters, I really began to think that just maybe, this year......

Although the two teams didn't play during the regular season, many of the pundits at the Bangor Auditorium were saying these two teams were the cream of the crop, with Washington Academy being a possibility, too. This looked to be a pretty good game, and aside from some sloppy play on both teams' parts, it was. The Pandas quickly jumped out to a 5-point lead after one, 15-10 behind senior Ryan Beers, who hit four 3-pointers and 14 points total in the first half!. Then they played evenly for the second period, with the score at halftime being 27-22, Lee.

Then it happened. The momentum shifted. You could feel it. Calais did not come unraveled, in fact, they outscored Lee Academy 16-10 in the third period. They tied the game at 33 apiece with 3:07 left to play in the third quarter, and Calais took a 1-point lead going into into the final period, 38 to 37.

It was anybody's game!, but not for long. Calais slowly pulled away, and even with 6'9" Youssou Ndoye (who missed a lot of the third period) back in the line-up, the boys from Calais were not to be denied. The final score was 57-47. But, really, it was a good game! And both teams did themselves proud today. Cam Shorey was top scorer for Calais with 19 points. Ryan Beers was top man for the Pandas with 18 and junior Ndoye had 11.
Calais will play Washington Academy Saturday evening for the Eastern Maine Class C title. CLICK HERE for a slideshow of photos from today's game.

This afternoon's game ends our high school basketball coverage on the Lincoln area web site for this season. We want to thank the area businesses who sponsored our coverage of this season's games and post-season action. And, our thanks to the area schools' ADs, coaches and athletes for making our coverage so much fun! Many of the photos we took over the course of the season can still be viewed at www.leezsportsphotos.com.

Now, it's a waiting time until SPRING SPORTS!!

- Lee Rand

Feb 16 - After a 20+ year absence from the Eastern Maine Tournament in Bangor the PVHS Howlers returned, only to lose to perennial powerhouse Washington Academy 69-52. Tournament inexperience and "auditorium jitters" didn't help any as the PVHS Howlers, after a 23-year absence returned to the Bangor forum for the Eastern Maine Tournament. And, of course, they had to play #1 seeded, 17-1, Washington Academy from East Machias.

Still, the boys from Howland gave it a valiant effort and have nothing to be ashamed of! It didn't take long to figure out the outcome of this one as the Raiders quickly jumped ahead and never looked back. WA senior guard Noah Von Rotz was hot all night, ending up with 21 points to lead all scorers tonight. Joey McCloskey finished with 19 for the Howlers. After 1 it was WA 20-10 and 32-20 at halftime. The second half saw the Raiders take a commanding 52-27 lead, and finally when it was over, a 69-52 victory. They'll play Foxcroft Academy Friday afternoon.

Jamie Russell has done a fine job with the basketball program at Penobscot Valley. He loses one senior from this year's team, Adam Callender, who scored 9 points tonight and got several key rebounds. They'll be back! next year, and, in our opinion will be one of the Class C teams to watch. And, now they have tournament experience!! Good show boys and congratulations to Coach Russell.

Next season we hope to cover more PVHS games, if the interest is there, for the sports section of your Lincoln area web site at www.lincolnmainesports.com. To see the color action photos of tonight's game, CLICK HERE!

- Lee Rand