It was a strong season for central Maine boys high school basketball. Were it not for a buzzer beater, teams in the Kennebec Journal circulation area would have taken three of four state championships.

As it stands, they won two: Maranacook taking the Class B title for the second time in three years, and Winthrop the Class C championship. Richmond fell a point short of winning the Class D title when Manny Martinez hit a shot at the buzzer to give Central Aroostook the win.
A few observations from someone who didn't see every game but nonetheless watched quite a few.
BEST GAME: Camden Hills vs. Maranacook for the KVAC Class B championship. This game did not count in the win-loss column but was the best end-to-end action I saw all season. Maranacook lost in OT but avenged that when the teams met in the Eastern Maine tournament. That game, however, never approached the first meeting.
BEST QUARTER: The third quarter of Winthrop vs. Calais in the Class C state final. After trailing by eight points at the half, Calais made a run at the lead in the third quarter despite having to sit leading scorer Sam Bell due to foul trouble. They tied the score and Winthrop answered. Nice back and forth quarter in which the teams combined for 35 points.
BEST ROLE PLAYER: Maranacook center Conrad Gilman who always rebounds and scores when asked to.
MOST UNDERATED PLAYER: Hall-Dale's Mike Shpeherd. The slender senior is a deceptively tough rebounder and shot blocker who also has a nice shooting touch.
BLUE COLLAR TEAM: These are the guys who don't mind the dirty work around the basket. Devin Gerrity, Maranacook; Andrew Smithgall, Winthrop; Cam O'Brien, Cony; Mike Denham, Gardiner; Garrett Holt, Erskine.
ALL HUSTLE TEAM: These players bring energy into the game: Matt Rende, Cony; Pat Norwood, Maranacook; Devin Veilleux, Erskine; Dan Paradee, Gardiner; Mike Allen, Maranacook.
ALL DEFENSIVE TEAM: Mike Poulin, Maranacook; Kyle Stilphen, Gardiner; Sam Leclerc, Winthrop; Tim Gingras, Winthrop; Tyler Cummings, Hall-Dale.
ALL 5-FOOT-8 OR UNDER TEAM: Ryan Martin, Maranacook; Josh Acedo, Hall-Dale; Jason Coan, Gardiner; Zach Farrington, Winthrop; Nick Woods, Richmond.