BANGOR- Big time players step up in big time games. Pierce Walston did just that on Friday night. Walston scored 16 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, helping his Orono Red Riots outscore Old Town 19-5 in the fourth quarter to claim a 58-44 win in a Maine Principals’ Association Class B North boys basketball regional championship game played at the Cross Insurance Center. Orono repeats as regional champs, and will get a chance to defend their state title next week. It is the first back to back regional crown for the Red Riots since 1961-1962.
Old Town got a three-pointer from Tyler Priest and a basket from Emmitt Byther to take an early 5-2 first quarter lead. Will Francis and Walston hit back to back three-pointers to give Orono a lead they wouldn’t give back for the remainder of the half at 8-5. The Red Riots led 14-10 after the opening eight minutes, and had as much as a five point advantage taking a 22-20 lead into the halftime break. Walston had 13 of those points.
It was back and forth in the third period. After Orono opened the period on a three-pointer by Bergen Soderberg, Old Town went on a 10-3 run to take their first lead since early on in the first quarter at 30-28 on a three-pointer by Aiden Gomm. Byther put up 11 points for the Coyotes in the quarter, and Walston had seven as the game went to the fourth tied at 39-39. Old Town jumped back in front by three on one from behind the arc from Brendan Mahaney to open the final eight minutes, but that was their last lead. Walston tied it with a three-pointer, and then a layup by Noah Schaff off an assist by Walston pushed the Red Riots ahead for good to claim their second consecutive regional championship. Orono finished the game on a 19-2 run after the Mahaney three-pointer.
Walston hit 3 three-pointers and added 12 rebounds, eight assists, and four steals to his 29 points in the Orono win. Soderberg contributed 10 points, and Ben Francis also chipped in six points and six rebounds. The Red Riots made 6 three-pointers as a team, and won the close rebounding battle 25-23. Byther had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Coyotes. Grayson Thibeault recorded 10 points, three assists, and three steals, while Gomm had six points. Old Town ends a great season as regional runner-up with a record of 17-4. Orono (18-3) will have a rematch as they face Oceanside (21-0) for a second straight year in the Class B State Championship game in Bangor on Friday, March 1st at 7:45 p.m. The Riots won the gold ball last March over the Mariners 61-58 in Portland.
Photos by Anthony DelMonaco
