The Wiscasset Wolverines found out Feb. 21 what other Class D boys’ basketball teams experienced 10 times in the past 26 years. Valley of Bingham is good, really good, in fact they are the dominant team in the Class D South/West regional tournament. The Cavaliers have won the regional tournament 10 times and seven times were crowned state champs.

No. 1 Valley (16-4) defeated No. 5 Wiscasset (10-10), 76-36, advancing to another regional final. For Wiscasset, the 2024 Class D South tournament was a “crowning” achievement of their own by winning their first tournament game since 2011. 

Valley started fast, jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the contest’s first three minutes. Wiscasset didn’t score until junior guard Alex Richard stole the ball from his wing position in a two-three zone defense and raced down the court. He was fouled by Valley’s Fisher Tewksbury attemping a lay-up. He made one of two free throws. Valley’s Harry Louis made a 3-pointer giving Valley an 11-1 lead.

But Wiscasset’s fortunes were about to change, trimming Valley’s lead to 15-13 after the first quarter. Jevar Garricks hit two 3-pointers, cutting the lead to 13-7. Freshman guard Landin Shirey struggled early in the quarter shooting but finished strong, hitting two 3-pointers. “We hung around for a little bit, but our shots stopped failing,” Coach Jamie Roy said. “They got out in transition, and a team as talented as Valley, the next thing you know you’re down 20.”

In the second quarter, Wiscasset scored six points with baskets by Shirey, Spencer Smith-Pinkham and Richards. Valley exploited its overall team speed and created Wiscasset turnovers in scoring 23 second quarter points building a 38-19 halftime lead.

Despite the loss, Wiscasset’s Ishmael Martinez is encouraged about his team’s future. Wiscasset arrived at this year’s tournament with no seniors and the current squad is likely to return next winter. “We gave it our best effort in the first quarter, and kind of fell apart in the second,” he said. “They were a better team this year, but we’re going to put the work in this off-season, and hopefully make a deeper run next year.”

Coach Roy knew Valley’s team speed was a bad match-up for his team. He considered changing to a man-to-man defense or full-court press, but decided against it. “I thought they were a little too quick for us. We struggled playing man-to-man defense all year, and I knew we didn’t have the speed to press,” he said. “I thought the best plan would be sticking to zone and see what happens.”

Overall, Wiscasset’s season was a success, winning 10 games, qualifying for the tournament and reaching the semifinal round. Richards believes his team’s dedication was the major catalyst in its improvement. “We worked all season long,” he said. “At first, we didn’t play together as a team, but eventually things changed. We kept working hard and our team defense improved significantly.”

This is Roy’s first year coaching the varsity. He saw potential early in the season. The coach believed his team could reach the tournament this season. “I saw how dedicated they were to becoming better during the pre-season. So, one of my goals was reaching the tournament. We did that and won a game. So, I think we may have overachieved a bit. There are no seniors, so the kids are already talking about practicing for next year,” he said.

In the loss, Wiscasset may have faced two of the best players in Class D. Valley’s Harry Louis scored 27 and Fisher Tewksbury added 20.

For the Wolverines, Shirey was the top scorer for the second straight game. He scored 16 points and hit four 3-pointers. Jevar Garricks also hit double figures with 10. Other Wolverine scorers were Smith-Pinkham, four; and Tucker Davenport and Richard, three.

Wiscasset ends its season at 10-10. No. 1 Valley (16-4) advances to its third-straight regional final. The Cavaliers will face No. 2 St. Dom’s (19-1) of Auburn Saturday in Augusta.