FF Tiger boys fall short in quest for regional crown
Sports Reporter
BANGOR – Attempting to capture their first Eastern Maine title in 22 years, the Fort Fairfield Tigers were turned away Saturday by the No. 1-ranked Schenck Wolverines, 51-42.
However, the Tiger boys made amends after last year’s quarterfinal upset loss to Bangor Christian when Fort was an undefeated top-seeded team.
This year, the Tigers had to come from behind to secure wins in both the quarterfinals against Southern Aroostook and the semifinals against Shead. And in the championship game, Fort Fairfield came close to doing the same against the highly-regarded Wolverines of East Millinocket.
Fort Fairfield, which finished with an 18-3 overall record, found itself down by eight points at halftime and by 11 points with 1:40 to play in the third quarter.
However, the gritty Tigers made a run. John McNamee and Travis Noyes had consecutive baskets within a 25-second span in the latter stages of the third period. The one by Noyes, a three-pointer, cut it to a 34-28 deficit.
Early in the fourth, Fort Fairfield got even closer when Josh Booth hit 3 of 4 from the foul line, Noyes netted a free throw and scored underneath, Josh Churchill connected on a leaner and McNamee converted from the paint. That made the score 43-40, in favor of the Wolverines, with 3:15 to go in the contest.
Fort’s defense held on the next possession, and the Tigers had two point-blank opportunities to get to within a point, but layup attempts by both McNamee and Noyes were off the mark.
McNamee also had two free throw chances with 1:56 left with his team facing the same deficit, but both were off line.
Fort hit just six of 16 foul shots during the game.
“Our foul shooting has always been good, but we struggled today,” Noyes said.
Schenck then proceeded to make multiple trips to the foul line and they converted on eight of the 12 attempts. Meanwhile, all Fort Fairfield could muster the rest of the way was a putback by Noyes.
“We would do a good job rebounding, but then would get fouled and couldn’t convert from the line,” said Schenck coach Steve LeVasseur. “We were lucky to finally get into the double bonus.”
Noyes finished with 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead Fort Fairfield. McNamee, who found himself in foul trouble in the first half, tallied 12 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.
“Their big guys down low hurt us,” said LeVasseur.
Brandon Theriault was Schenck’s only double-figure scorer, ending up with 19 points.
“I couldn’t be happier with how far we’ve come,” Noyes said. “No one expected us to come this far, but we proved everyone wrong and that’s good enough for me.”
Coach Todd Alley was also impressed with his team’s play.
“We came out determined in the second half,” he said. “There was no fear in the kids’ eyes.”
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
SCOOP SHOT – Senior guard Josh Booth of the Fort Fairfield Tigers tries to avoid the defensive presence of Schenck’s Jared Waite during Saturday’s EM title game. The Wolverines were 51-42 winners
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
BIG MAC – Six-five senior center John McNamee attempts to score a basket against Schenck’s Terry McCafferty during the Eastern Maine Class D championship game held Saturday. The Tigers lost 51-42.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
LOOKING TO SCORE – Travis Noyes of the Fort Fairfield Tigers tries to use his height advantage over Schenck’s Cody LeVasseur to try to score during Saturday’s EM final held in Bangor. The Wolverines pulled away late for a 51-42 triumph.
