BANGOR– Chris King was all alone at the free throw line with his team down by one with no time on the clock in overtime. King calmly nailed two free throws to lift the Schenck Wolverines boys basketball team to a 60-59 win over Lee Academy in a Maine Principals’ Association class C quarterfinal game played Tuesday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center.
“You need to think like you’re in your home town,”King said. “It is just you and the basket. Don’t listen to the crowd.”
Coach Darrick Thompson and the Wolverines have a dynamic duo and they both came through in a big way. Coach Thompson’s son Justin Thompson recorded 26 points, 20 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. King recorded 18 points, including 11 in overtime and four after Thompson fouled out late in the overtime.
“I had two studs all year. No disrespect to any other kid, they know their role,”coach Thompson said. “Chris (King) and Justin (Thompson) are arguably the most dynamic duo in the area. One kid averaging 25 points per game, the other averaging 18.”
Lee had a chance to win it at the end of regulation. Benny Li missed two free throws with two seconds remaining.
Nathan Gilman made a three pointer to give the Pandas an early lead in overtime. Thompson fouled out with 1:50 remaining and the Wolverines trailing 55-53. King scored the final seven points for Schenck, including the two biggest ones when he was standing at the free throw line all alone.
Thompson was able to put up huge numbers despite being guarded by two players for the majority of the game. Riley Dionne, Mitchell McDunnah, and Travis Thompson all stepped up to hit big shots.
“When they do that they are playing a four against three. I haven’t had that yet this year. The first couple of games, (Lee Academy) Randy (Harris) didn’t play that against us this year. I had full confidence in those guys. I knew Chris (King) was going to make a play. He played a great game.”
Coach Thompson added, “We were ready mentally for a triangle and two on him, but how do you practice that? The other kids have to step up. Mitchell McDunnah stepped up and hit a couple of shots. My young fella Travis stepped up. Riley Dionne, he wasn’t even in the practice plan, tonight he was there. Every kid from the kids that play to the kids don’t, they are working hard at practice. I have Ryan Jurgiewich, Alex Powers, Dylan Danforth. Those kids, you don’t see them on the floor here. They have Chris and Justin beating on them every night. That is why we are good, the bench kids work hard at practice.”
Travis Thompson added eight points, three rebounds, and three steals for the Wolverines. McDunnah scored five points, while Dionne made a three pointer. Schenck (17-3) will play George Stevens in a semifinal game in Friday night,
“I know they (George Stevens) are a great team, I know they are big. That is our big game right there. We wanted to play them all year. We are going to get our shot,”Justin Thompson said. “This is what we have been waiting for all year. We lost in the quarterfinals last year, We didn’t want to be one and done again this year.”
Lin led the Pandas with 20 points, six rebounds, and three steals. My kolas Radionovas filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks. Lee finishes the season with a 15-4 record.
