By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

BANGOR – Despite a few slips and falls and loud “thunks” when basketballs hit dead spots in the floor, they operated as though they weren’t even in the Bangor Auditorium.

The Dirigo girls’ basketball team began practicing Monday for Friday’s state championship rematch with Dexter. The Cougars’ first workout of the week came at the Auditorium, where Dirigo got a chance to test out the setting for the Class C state championship.

“It’s really, really exciting,” said senior guard Mallory Child. “I was brought up to come to the tournament as a sophomore. I was so excited to come here playing with great players like Lyndsay (Clark) and Alyssa (Burns). Even though I was sitting on the bench, I was having just as much fun as them. I wanted it so bad for them. They had worked so hard the whole season. Now it’s our turn. As a senior, I really want it for the team. Everyone worked so hard this season. Hopefully we can win like they did two years ago.”

The Mecca of Maine basketball has been a temple of doom of sorts for the Dirigo Cougars. During their reign of 11 straight Western C titles, the Cougars lost their first four title games in Bangor. With an overtime win over Dexter two years ago, the Cougars head for Bangor without that history shadowing them.

“I think winning here two years ago should give the kids a little bit of confidence,” said Dirigo coach Gavin Kane. “It certainly takes that pressure off – of never winning a ballgame here. We had that hanging over our heads for several years. Hopefully, not having that feeling of not having won here, will put us a little more at ease.”

Seniors Brooke Weston and Alexa Kaubris played on the team that beat the Tigers. Child, Holly Knight and Michelle Holmquist were on the roster that year but didn’t play in the game.

“It’s not gone completely, but it’s proven that we can win here,” said Child. “I believe that if we work really hard, it will come true and we will win again.”

Monday’s practice was more about Dexter (21-0) than the Auditorium and its various quirks. Dexter’s 50-31 win in Augusta over Dirigo last year was the Cougars’ only loss in their last 91 games.

The Cougars (21-0) got down to business and ran its drills like it would in any gym.

“We definitely came in with the idea that we wanted to keep it the normal routine that we’ve had at our regular practices,” said Kane. “We implemented a couple things that we’d like to try to put in on Friday without changing the entire look of the practice.”

Still, for many of the Cougars, this was their first crack at the famed Auditorium floor. Dirigo has 10 players on its roster that haven’t played or practiced there before.

“It’s a good experience,” said sophomore forward Shannon Daley. “It’s my first time being here. It’s exciting to continue the tradition of playing on the Bangor floor.”

Bangor is known for its atmosphere and close proximity of the crowds to the court. The Cougars didn’t get the full experience or volume at an empty arena.

“It isn’t bad right now because it’s just practice, but then you think the place is going to be full and you’re not going to be able to hear anything,” said Daley. “You have to focus on how the floor is and how the rims are. They’re really tight rims. You just have to get used to the feel of it.”

Many of the players had just seen the court on television but got a better view during two hours of running and shooting.

“It’s really amazing,” said sophomore guard Katie Hutchinson. “It looks so much bigger on TV than it really is. I think it makes it much more comfortable coming out and practicing on it before you play. It seems way bigger than Augusta, but running the floor touches on it makes you feel a little more comfortable for when it comes to game time.”

The Cougars noted that their home court has some slippery areas and some dead spots. So those peculiarities didn’t faze them. Dirigo will play a scrimmage Wednesday against Western B champ Yarmouth at Edward Little. So adjusting and focusing amidst new surroundings is a partial theme this week.

“After I’ve practice on it, I feel great coming in and playing on Friday,” said Hutchinson.