Brunswick sophomore Lexi Morin goes up for a shot while Gray-New Gloucester’s Isabelle Ross, left, and Ellie Steele try to defend in the Class A South title game. Morin was named the region’s Most Outstanding Player. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
CLASS A GIRLS
WHO: Lawrence (18-3) vs. Brunswick (19-2)
WHEN: 6:05 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Augusta Civic Center
TV: MPBN
KEY PLAYERS: Lawrence – Hope Bouchard, sr., G (11.9 points, 4.4 assists, 2.7 steals); Brianna Poulin, sr., F (10.8 points, 1.5 steals); Maddie Provost, fr., G (8.6 points); Ali Higgins, sr., G (6.3 points). Brunswick – Kelsie Carlton, sr., G (10.4 points, 4.3 assists, 4.0 steals); Dakota Shipley, jr., F (13.2 points); Maddy Werner, jr., F (9.5 rebounds, 4.3 blocks); Emily Doring, jr., G (30 3-pointers); Lexi Morin, so., G/F
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Brunswick’s length inside versus the Bulldogs’ perimeter ability. With Shipley and Werner, both nearly 6 foot tall, as well as Lexi and Sophia Morin inside, the Dragons don’t lose many rebounding battles. Lawrence will need to have the advantage at guard, where Bouchard, who scored 26 points in the North final, is one of the state’s top players. Both teams have handled themselves well on both ends of the floor; Lawrence led KVAC Class A teams in scoring at 62.5 points per game, while Brunswick (59.6) was third. The Dragons were first in defense (32.6), and the Bulldogs (37.7) were third. The key is likely to be depth. If the Bulldogs can have someone in addition to Bouchard step up offensively, they’ll be in good shape. If the Dragons can get key shots from Carlton and Doring, they’ll be dangerous.
– Drew Bonifant
Falmouth senior guard Judd Armstrong is averaging 15.6 points per game. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer
CLASS A BOYS
WHO: Brewer (20-1) vs. Falmouth (17-4)
WHEN: 7:45 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Augusta Civic Center
TV: MPBN
KEY PLAYERS: Brewer – Brady Saunders, sr., G (21.8 points, 58 3s); Brock Flagg, sr., F (13.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists); Ryder Goodwin, sr., F (9.2 rebounds); Evan Nadeau, sr., PG. Falmouth – Judd Armstrong, sr., G (15.6 points); Lucas Dilworth, sr., G (9.8 points); Paul Dilworth, sr., G (7.2 points); Peyton Mitchell, sr., G.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: How quickly the score adds up. Falmouth wants this game in the 30s after three quarters. If the scoring pace increases, advantage to Brewer, which is averaging 70.6 points. … A key matchup will be Saunders on Armstrong. Brewer Coach Ben Goodwin says Saunders is his top defender. Armstrong is a 6-foot-4 handful who can get to the rim and shoot outside. … Offensively, Saunders shot 65.5% in the regular season, including 45% on 3s, and he has made at least three 3-pointers in each playoff game. … Both teams lost to Cooper Flagg-led Nokomis a year ago, Brewer in the North final, Falmouth in the state final.
– Steve Craig
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