By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

AUGUSTA – They had all followed along when Ashley Marble and her Woodland teammates dominated Class D a few years ago.

On Saturday, a new generation of Dragons made a triumphant return to the Class D state championship game in a 52-43 victory over Valley.

Marble, now a star at the University of Southern Maine, led her team to state title wins in 2001 and 2002. After a state game loss in 2003, Woodland (20-1) had competed in Class C.

“I was watching Ashley Marble play when I was younger,” said sophomore forward Courtney Cochran. “I dreamed of winning in this kind of atmosphere. I’m really excited and so happy.”

With Michelle Ferry, the Eastern Maine Class D tournament MVP in early foul trouble, Cochran took charge with 24 points, including 12 in the second half to lead Woodland to its third overall state title.

“I knew coming in that I had to come in and take it to the basket,” said Cochran. We all had to work together. We really did that. Michelle got into foul trouble. So we couldn’t really count on her. She couldn’t do as much as she could. So I had to step up.”

Valley just didn’t have an answer for the size of Cochran and Ferry inside. The two combined for over 30 rebounds while the Cavaliers struggled to find post players to stop them.

“They’re big and they’re good,” said Valley coach Gordon Hartwell. “There’s a reason they won Eastern Class D. They deserve to be here, and they deserved to win. They played tough.”

Valley (21-1) was led by Kristin Baker with 28 points, including a Class D state game record of five 3-pointers.