Medomak Valley boys’ basketball team defeated Gardiner 61-57 to claim the 2011-12 KVAC Class B championship Saturday night at Cony High School in Augusta.
The Panthers dominated the boards over the first three periods, out rebounding the Tigers 33-20 to build a 15-point lead. Gardiner rallied in the 4th quarter, pulling within four with 16 seconds to go. Medomak held on for the victory to win their first KVAC Class B title. The Panthers won the KVAC Class A championship in 1993.
Gardiner’s only leads (6-5 and 8-7) came early in the 1st quarter. Isaac Greenrose closed out the period with five points, including a three-pointer to give the Panthers a 12-8 edge at the break. Jonathan Hendrickson-Belloguet came off the bench to give Medomak a big lift with two steals and two rebounds late in the period.
Medomak went on a seven point run midway through the 2nd quarter to take a 12 point lead. John Murray hit back-to-back hoops, scoring off an I. Greenrose pass and off the offensive boards, and I. Greenrose settled a three in the rally. The Panthers led 35-25 at the end of two.
The Panthers went on a 9-6 run to kick off the 3rd period and build their biggest lead of the ball game at 15. Gardiner finished the frame with a 7-2 run to cut the lead to 10, 48-38 at the end of three.
The Tigers charged the Panthers in the final quarter and pulled within five on a Jake Palmer three-pointer with 4:33 to go. Ryan Ripley scored one at the foul line to put Medomak up by six with 24 seconds left to play. Tyler Jamison cut the lead to four at the foul line for the Tigers with 16 seconds remaining. Medomak hung on for the win, with Shane Osier making a huge defensive play with five seconds left.
Scoring for Medomak were I. Greenrose 24 (6A), John Murray 15 (18R,2B,3A), Zack Judkins 8 (2R,2A), Ryan Ripley 5 (12R,2S), Shane Osier 5 (2A), Alex Greenrose 2, and H-Belloguet 2 (3R,2S). Scoring for Gardiner were Aaron Toman 16 (9R), Jamison 14 (7R), Palmer 8, Justin Lovely 6, Matt Hall 6 (5R), Travis Kelley 3, Alonzo Connor 2 (9R) and Dennis Meehan 2.