BANGOR — The Machias boys basketball team has relied on an imposing front line to emerge as a force in Class D North during the past three seasons.
But the Bulldogs’ play on the perimeter Saturday proved just as important in capturing the program’s first state championship since 1995 with a 51-39 victory over Greenville at the Cross Insurance Center.
“This means everything to our team, the community, everyone,” said Machias senior guard John Massad, who came off the bench to score a game-high 19 points in this battle of finalists that had split two regular-season meetings this winter. “Oh my gosh, we’ve been doing this for so many years. So much practice, so much work and finally it’s paid off.”
Massad, who was medically cleared to play just Thursday evening after missing Machias’ previous practices this week due to mononucleosis, capitalized on Greenville’s defensive focus on 6-foot-6 Jacob Godfrey and 6-foot-4 James Mersereau and Mark Anthony to make back-to-back 3-pointers early in the fourth quarter.
Those two shots, followed by another 3-pointer by junior guard Jordan Grant, helped Machias stretch what had been a 28-23 edge after five straight points by Greenville star Nick Foley to 42-31 with 5:39 remaining.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
