Medomak Middle School seventh grade boys’ basketball team went into the Busline League championships undefeated, and the regular season champions. Troy Howard of Belfast played a spirited game with solid shooting to pull out a 60-57 win Jan. 18 on their home turf in Belfast.
The Riverhawks were called for 25 fouls, including 13 in the 2nd half, sending Belfast to the line for 26 shots. The Lions sank 15 of them, including going 11 for 17 in the 2nd half.
Stan Sturgis, sank 10 of 14 in the game, including eight of nine in the 2nd half. On the other end of the court, Medomak made just 10 of 25 foul shots, including making just four of 11 in the 2nd half.
Troy Howard scored the final eight points of the 1st period to a 15-9 lead. They built it to 12 points in the 2nd quarter. Medomak pulled within five by halftime when Cam Allaire and Jon Allard crashed the glass for back-to-back hoops.
Nolan scored the first hoop of the 3rd period to put Belfast up by seven. Allard and Allaire combined for eight straight points to give Medomak their second lead of the ball game with 6:05 to go in the 3rd.
Belfast retook the lead with six straight points. Taylor McLean and Kyle Donlin hit back-to-back three-pointers to give the Riverhawks a two-point lead with 2:30 to play in the 3rd. Sturgis tied the game for Belfast, before Laken Harrington settled a three to put Medomak back up on top. Medomak held a one-point lead at the end of three, 44-43.
Medomak built a six-point lead in the final frame, before Bielenburg crashed the glass for two and settled a three to pull Belfast within one. Allard scored off the boards with three minutes to play to give the Riverhawks their last lead of the ball game.
Sturgis sank two at the line and Woods crashed the glass with a minute to play to give Belfast the lead for good. Medomak had a chance to retake the lead, but turned the ball over in their offensive end. The Riverhawks quickly fouled Zane Bielenburg, who sank a pair at the foul line with 11 seconds left to boost the lead to three.
Scoring for Medomak were Allard 18 (18R,3S), Allaire 10 I9R,2B), McLean 7 (5R), Laken Harrington 5 (3R), Kyle Donlin 5, Cale Gee 5 (2R,5S), Cam Martin 4 and Nick Grover 3. Scoring for Belfast were Bielenburg 24 (5R), Sturgis 16, Goguem 14 (19R,2B), Woods 4, and Devin Jackson 2.