BANGOR, Me- The Jonesport-Beals Royals put 10 players in the scoring column Thursday night, as they went on to defeat the defending state champion Machias Bulldogs 46-36 in a Class D semifinal boys game at the Cross Insurance Center.
Machias (13-8), broke up by a 7-0 score in the first quarter, and Jonesport-Beals was held off the scoreboard until there was 2:15 left in the opening stanza when Kaiden Crowley buried a three pointer. Alex Marotta opened the second quarter with a basket making it 11-5 Bulldogs. The Royals ended the first half outscoring the Bulldogs 15-1, including an 11-0 spurt, and led 20-12 at the break.
Machias stayed within four to eight points in the third quarter as the Royals continue to lead 28-23 headed to the final quarter. In the final eight minutes, six points is the closest Machias would come as the Royals pulled away down the stretch for the 10 point win.
Machias was led by Marotta who had 16 points and nine rebounds. Noah Albert added nine, while Mark Mesereau chipped in six points.
Jonesport-Beals (16-3), was led by Ryan Alley who had nine points. Judson Carver added eight, Adam Robinson had six points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals, and K. Crowley five points. The Royals will now face Woodland for the North regional title on Saturday at 10:45 a.m.
MAC 9 3 11 13- 36
JPB 5 15 8 18- 46
Three point goals: Machias- Marotta 2, Albert 2 Jonesport-Beals- M.Crowley, K. Crowley, Cirone
Free throws: Machias 8-12 Jonesport-Beals 11-16
Turnovers- Machias 15 Jonesport-Beals 12
