The Messalonskee Eagles finished as the #1 seed in Boys Class A North and they more than earned it. They went 16-2 and were dominant most of the season in only losing two games, one to Brewer and one to Camden Hills. That said, one of their wins perhaps gave an indication as to just how tough their first round match up with #8 Nokomis was going to be. Messo only beat the Warriors, 55-47 back on the 2nd of January which was the beginning of an 11 game winning streak that Messo ended the season on. But that Jan. 2 game with Nokomis was a certified tough ballgame that showed that the Warriors were a lot better than their regular season record of 5-13 indicated.
Truer words, baby! Messalonskee only led 13-9 after the first quarter. No worries.., that Eagles offense filled with great shooters like Ty Bernier, Ryan Parent and Drake Brunelle will surely heat up and the Eagles will run away from the 8th seed. Nope. Neither team could break double figures in the 2nd as they combined for 17 points total with Messo outscoring Nokomis, 9-8 and it was 30-25 Eagles at the break. The 3rd quarter was once again a quarter where neither team could get untracked scoring wise. Messo scored 8, Nokomis scored 8 and this was a ballgame going to the 4th with Messalonskee leading by 5.
Finally in the 4th quarter the Eagles offense came alive as they began to hit their shots, put together a 25 point quarter and outscored the Warriors, 25-14 to cinch the victory. Drake Brunelle led all scorers with 14 points including a couple of big back to back treys to spark Messo. Ty Bernier had 13 points and Sean Achorn added 12 for the Eagles who picked up their 17th win and now have a date with #5 Camden Hills on Wednesday night at 8:30 at the Augusta Civic Center.
Fun Fact #1: Camden Hills handed Messalonskee one of their two losses on the season back on December 30th and it wasn’t close, 77-51.
Fun Fact #2: The Messo loss to Camden Hills was the last time the Eagles lost. They’ve won 12 straight since.
