AUGUSTA – Gordon Hartwell used the power of positive thinking Thursday. Before he left home for his team’s Western D semifinal against Rangeley at the Augusta Civic Center, he popped in a videotape to record the other semifinal.
As it turned out, Hartwell’s Valley girls stunned previously unbeaten Rangeley and advanced to this evening’s Western D title game to face Hyde.
“It’s hard to comprehend that we’ve even done this, but now I’m going to take a greater interest in the Hyde tape that I have recorded at home,” said Hartwell following his team’s improbable defeat of the defending Class D state champions.
As exciting as the Cavaliers upset might have been Thursday, it’s wasn’t the first time. Valley knocked off Rangeley two years before in the semifinal, but the Cavaliers went on to lose to Waynflete in the Western D final.
“We can’t think that we’ve just punched our ticket to Bangor,” said Hartwell. “We’ve got to play.”
Valley struggled to overcome the emotions of the win over the Lakers two years ago. By the time the championship game arrived, the Cavaliers were spent.
“We were emotionally drained, but I think we’re ready,” said junior guard Kristin Baker, who had 36 points against Rangeley. “We believe in ourselves and know we can do this. We’re not going to mess up like we did two years ago.”
Valley (15-4) faces a Hyde team that went 8-9 in the regular season and had never reached the regional final. Hyde is a young team led by sophomore center Shanikwa James, who averaged 20 points. Guards Chelsea Malen and Sabian Faustin have chipped in around six points each. Both James and Faustin were shaken up in the semifinal win over Great Portland Christian and were assisted off the court afterwards.
“That girl underneath is tough,” said Hartwell. “They’re solid on the outside. They look like they play a good solid defense.”
Hartwell will rely on Baker, who averages 24 points. She’s the only regular back from that club that lost to Waynflete two years ago. Junior Jeri-Dee Fitzmaurice, who averages 16 points, has been outstanding in the tournament while Taylor Plourd, Morgan Staples, Chelsae Lawyerson and Allyse Wheeler have made significant contributions in two hard-fought wins over Vinalhaven and Rangeley.
With the Valley faithful already fired up over the boys’ come-from-behind victory over NYA and a shot at its eighth straight regional title Saturday, the girls are only adding to the excitement.
“We were so ready,” said Baker of the tournament. “We worked so hard for this. The whole town has come up to us and told us this was our chance.”
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