MPA State Championships Preview

It's state championship weekend in Maine.   Below, we'll preview each of the five match-up in the MPA that will decide the gold ball winners.   Class AA   Match-Up: Windham (17-4) vs. South Portland (16-5)   How They Got Here:   In the South, #2 South Portland knocked off #7 Gorham (60-42), #3 Scarborough (63-45), and #4 Bonny Eagle (49-34).   In the North, #2 Windham took care of #7 Bangor (76-40), #3 Portland (65-56), and #4 Edward Little (55-49).   Players to Watch:   Manny Hidalgo - The South Portland guard has had a terrific tournament so far, averaging 18.0 points per game. Hidalgo is a dynamic combo guard that has the ability to score at all three levels, while also being a strong on-ball defender. He's done a lot of winning in high school and has made plenty of big plays in big moments. His ability to get to his spots off the bounce, score in isolation situations, and knock down shots with deep range is what seperates him. He can create easy transition baskets with steals and deflections.   Tyrie James - The Windham guard has had a strong two-way showing in the tournament and is averaging 14.3 points per game. James was a key piece of last season's championship team, coming up clutch in some of the biggest moments. He's a true lead guard that has breakdown ability off the bounce and knows how to create for his teammates. When he gets into the paint, he can score over size or find open passing lanes for kick out threes or dump downs to the big man. He's also a strong rebounder for his size and good on-ball defender.   Class A   Match-Up: Messalonskee (19-2) vs. Falmouth (18-3)   How They Got Here:   In the South, #2 Falmouth defeated #7 Gray-New Gloucester (62-45), #6 Fryeburg Academy (63-36), and #1 Noble (56-53).   In the North, #1 Messalonskee registered wins over #8 Nokomis (55-39), #5 Camden Hills (63-61), and #2 Hampden Academy (49-37).   Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='2811657' first='Davis' last='Mann'] - The Falmouth wing is a big time scorer and had an impressive 39 points in their win over Fryeburg Academy. Mann is an above the rim athlete that can really fly up and down the floor in transition, using his positional size and strength to score at the rim. He's a well-rounded scorer that can get baskets at the rim, in the mid-range, and from behind the arc. He does a nice job of taking advantage of his size in the post and can be a mismatch on the perimeter for larger defenders. He's a grab and go rebounder that can start the break.   Ty Bernier - The Messalonskee guard has made his mark in the tournament and is averaging 17.3 points per game through 3 games. Bernier, a true scoring guard, is a premier floor spacer that has in the gym range on his jumper. He's had multiple games this winter with 5+ made threes and has the ability to change a game by putting points on the board quickly. He runs the floor hard in transition, can get into his jumper off of screens, and uses a rhythm dribble to get into shot off the bounce. Defensively, he competes and does so without fouling.   Class B   Match-Up: Caribou (20-1) vs. York (21-0)   How They Got Here:   In the South, #2 York claimed wins over #10 Cape Elizabeth (76-37), #3 Spruce Mountain (57-49), and #1 Medomak Valley (50-40).   In the North, #1 Caribou took down #9 Belfast (78-42), #4 Mt. Desert Island (53-41), and #3 Orono (41-40).   Players to Watch:   [player_tooltip player_id='2696742' first='Reece' last='MacDonald'] - The York guard has been on a scoring tear lately, averaging 19.0 points per game in their tournament run. MacDonald is a high IQ perimeter prospect that makes instinctive plays on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he has a great feel for jumping passing lanes and doing so leads to easy conversion opportunities for his team. Offensively, he has the ability to play on or off the ball, setting up teammates for easy baskets or making his own shots from behind the arc.   [player_tooltip player_id='2811759' first='Tristan' last='Robbins'] - The Caribou forward is one of the state's top big man and had 17 points in their win over Orono. Robbins is a physical presence in the paint with above the rim athleticism and the toughness to finish plays through contact. He plays with a high motor, runs the floor really well, and can even create off the bounce in space. His ability to defend multiple positions while also controlling the defensive glass gives his team a big presence on that end of the floor. His ability to take over a game as a scorer is also noticeable.   Class C   Match-Up: Mattanawcook Academy (21-0) vs. Mt. Abram (20-1)   How They Got Here:   In the South, #1 Mt. Abram defeated #8 Dirigo (70-62), #5 Hall-Dale (61-59), and #2 Monmouth Academy (52-43).   In the North, #1 Mattanawcook Academy knocked off #9 Mt. View (51-46), #5 Fort Kent (83-51), and #3 Madawaska (81-71).   Players to Watch:   Killian Pillsbury - The Mt. Abram guard has taken over games in the tournament with his scoring ability, averaging 21.0 points per game in the postseason. Pillsbury has good instincts on the defensive end of the floor and generates a lot of his points in transition off of steals or deflections. He's a smaller guard that uses his low center of gravity to play on balance with the ball in his hands. He's capable of scoring at the rim over size and knocks down shots when he slides off the ball and makes plays as a catch and shoot scorer.   Andrew Oliver - The Mattanawcook Academy is capable of getting a double-double any time he takes the floor, helping his team on both ends. Oliver is a good athlete with nice positional size and great length, allowing him to make an impact as a scorer and defender. He can score around the rim, using his length to finish at the rim and soft touch to finish over the defense. It's his ability to control the glass and to run the floor in transition that really stands out, that's when he can use his athleticism and impact the game as an open floor scorer.   Class D   Match-Up: Schenck (20-1) vs. St. Dominic 20-1)   How They Got Here:   In the South, #2 St. Dominic took care of #7 Forest Hills (75-53), #3 Telstar (47-28), and #1 Valley (59-28).   In the North, #1 Schenck claimed wins over #8 Southern Aroostook (49-39), #4 Bangor Christian (52-36), and #2 Katahdin (47-28).   Players to Watch:   Jack Brocke - The St. Dominic forward is a nightly double-double threat and has averaged 14.3 points per game during the tournament. Broke is one of the better big men in the league and excels with his ability to run the floor in transition. He's a good athlete that can finish plays above the rim in space, does a nice job of establishing position as a scorer in the paint, and provides his team with a big target to throw the ball to in the post. Defensively, he offers rim protection and the ability to collect rebounds in bunches.   Owen Wyman - The Schenck wing provides his team with an athletic presence and a versatile two-way performer. Wyman is a physical presence that can play in the post, on the baseline, or at the elbows. He's a scorer in the paint that can finish over either shoulder with either hand, while also showing that he has soft touch out to 15'. His impact on the other end of the floor comes from his ability to defend in ball screens, rebound in traffic, and defend in the paint without fouling. He's a vocal anchor for their defense too.

It's state championship weekend in Maine.