Class A North girls’ basketball: Lawrence favored to repeat

Players to watch Sr. F Nia Irving, Lawrence; Sr. G Dominique Lewis, Lawrence; Jr. G Sophia Holmes, Messalonskee; Jr. G Lauren Chadwick, Gardiner; Jr. G Sidney Moore, Nokomis; G Caitlin Kane, Mt. Blue; Sr. G Eryn Doiron, Mt. Blue; Jr. G; Soph G Marissa Gilpin, Hampden; Jr. G/F Jordan Jabar, Waterville;

Favorites: Lawrence

The Bulldogs have been the clear favorite all season. Lawrence has averaged nearly 67 points per game and allowed just 38. The toughest games for Lawrence came against AA North teams like Edward Little (47-45) and Bangor (52-46). Otherwise, Lawrence was winning by an average of 28 points. Though the Bulldogs graduated three players from last year, they return two 1,000-point scorers. Irving is Boston University-bound and one of the top players in the state. She should be a Miss Basketball finalist, if not the winner. Lewis is a playmaking guard and shooter. It was her basket that lifted Lawrence to the regional final win over Bangor last winter. Lawrence has gone 39-1 over the last two years and won a state title. The Bulldogs went 11-0 against the rest of the A North tourney field.

Darkhorses: Messalonskee

Holmes (19.9 ppg 10.9 rpg) and junior McKenna Brodeur (11 ppg 6.6 rpg) lead a Messalonskee team that has taken a sizable step forward this year. The Eagles only lost two games in A North all year. Both were to Lawrence (67-43 and 62-38). Messalonkee’s only other loss came against AA North’s Bangor. The Eagles scored 56.6 points per game and allowed just 40. Messalonskee went 10-2 against the other A North teams while winning seven of its last eight games. The Eagles have done well against much of the tourney field but will have to find a way to stop Lawrence.

Fun Facts: Lawrence has won 24 straight games. … This is Messalonsee’s 16th quarterfinal appearance in the last 18 years. … Gardiner started the year 10-1 but has gone 4-3 since. The Tigers had 10 games decided by nine points or less. … Nokomis averaged just 38 points against per game this season. … Hampden scored 42.9 points per game but allowed 42.3 points. … Mt. Blue has won five of its last seven games. … Waterville started the year 1-6 but finished 8-10.

Overview: There are some good teams in this tourney and some good matchups. Mt. Blue could be a threat from the start. Led by Kane (16.3 ppg) and Doiron (8.8 ppg), the Cougars are playing some of its best basketball and beat Gardiner earlier in the season. Nokomis is another strong club that could make some noise.

But Lawrence is one of the best teams in the state, let alone just A North. Not many teams boast two 1,000-point scorers. Not many teams can match the talent and experience that the Bulldogs possess. Irving and Lewis are proven players and lead a team that knows how to win. Messalonskee has been a young team on the rise and could reach the regional final, but beating Lawrence will be a tough challenge.

Prediction: Lawrence

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