The Jay boys face newcomer Houlton for the Class C state crown.
By Randy Whitehouse
Staff Writer

A few surprises lay in store for anyone who checks the Maine Principals’ Association records for the last time the Houlton boys were in a state championship game.

For one, Houlton hasn’t played for a state title since 1930, which is quite a contrast to the one-year hiatus folks in Jay have endured.

Cheverus beat the Shiretowners in that 1930 game, and beat them, according to the MPA website, “by default.” The official score was 21-12.

Neither team will win by default Saturday night when Houlton and Jay meet for the Class C state championship at the Augusta Civic Center. On paper, the game has all the makings of a classic.

Both teams were No. 2 seeds in their respective regions. Both teams are 19-2, and both coaches see a competitive matchup.

“I think we’re as athletic as Houlton is, and we’re as big as they are,” said Jay coach Mike Child, whose team has won 16 in a row. “I think we’re going to be the best team they’ve played, and probably vice-versa.”

Houlton coach Sean Callahan doesn’t disagree.

“Have we seen teams with their athleticism? Yes. But with their height? No,” said Callahan.

It’s likely the only time Callahan sees a frontcourt to match the Tigers’ frontcourt of Sean Fry (6-foot-5), Zach Charles (6-5) and Marc Kelvey (6-3) is in practice. Houlton boasts 6-6 twin towers Mark Socoby and Leif O’Connell.

Socoby, who led the Shires in scoring (20 ppg) and nearly every other statistical category, is hardly your typical 10th-grader.

“You overlook that he’s just a sophomore watching him out there,” Callahan said.

“He’s a ball-handler. He likes to shoot it and he can shoot it,” Child said. “He sees the floor and he’s a great passer. But I think people are overlooking our guy, Sean Fry, a little bit.”

Callahan hasn’t forgotten Fry, who joined Jay during the Christmas break after transferring from South Carolina.

“Watching the film, I’ve been very impressed with Sean Fry. It’s hard to believe he came in halfway through the year,” Callahan said. “He’s got a nice, soft touch around the free-throw line. He’s got some range and he can take it inside, so he’s going to be a real tough matchup for us.”

The Tigers, who have three players left from their 2002 championship roster, present other tough matchups. Kelvey, who’s capable of scoring inside and outside, and Justin Wells, a dangerous 3-point shooter, both are keys to the Tigers’ running game.

While the Shires’ offense usually runs through Socoby, they do have other scorers. Dustin Edwards, who made 5-of-10 3-pointers in the Eastern Maine championship, is also capable of posting up on the block.

All-MVC defensive teamer Ryan DiPompo leads a Jay defense that will try to confuse Socoby and the Shires with different looks on defense. That formula has worked well for the Tigers all year. Only one opposing player has been able to score more than 20 points on them all season. Hall-Dale’s Matt Wheelock had 21 back on Dec. 22, which also was the Tigers’ last loss.

“We play multiple defenses and we will switch up on them,” Child said. “We’ll be coming at Socoby in waves.”

Like the Tigers, the Shiretowners have made it this far on defense, though they usually stick strictly to playing a simpler halfcourt man-to-man. Houlton’s opponents are averaging only 43 points per game in the tournament.

“We’ve given up 60 or more points three times this year. Two we lost, and the other time it was overtime,” Callahan said. “We try to limit teams to somewhere around the mid-40s or low 50s.”

rwhitehouse@sunjournal.com

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