BANGOR — When Maine Central Institute coach Josh Tardy talked about Medomak Valley after Saturday evening’s game, he sounded like he was talking about a No. 1 seed. More specifically, Tardy sounded like he was talking about a No. 1 seed that played the way a No. 1 seed is supposed to play.

“Even their guys who aren’t 6-5 play long and quick,” Tardy said. “They’re a pretty special team, I think.”

Eighth-seeded MCI hung with Medomak Valley until Nick DePatsy got hot. DePatsy scored 28 points, including 12 in a decisive second quarter, as the Panthers cruised to a 60-39 Eastern B boys basketball quarterfinal victory at the Cross Insurance Center.

MCI finishes the season 13-6 after finishing 4-14 and missing the playoffs last winter.

The Huskies hung tough through the first quarter, trailing only 17-13 despite Medomak shooting 7-of-12 from the floor. It was 17-16 early in the second quarter after a three-point play by Mitchell Hallee (13 points), but then DePatsy canned back-to-back 3-pointers. After a three by Zach Starr, Medomak had scored 11 points in less than three minutes and led 28-16.

“We didn’t execute defensively in that second quarter stretch where they got separation,” Tardy said. “We made a tactical decision to try to change it up, and a well-coached team on the other side — they found a way to be patient and wait until the perimeter players were able to catch in rhythm and shoot. We were surprisingly bad defensively in that first half — which was uncharacteristic — but that happens on a big stage against a very good team. It’s what happens sometimes when 1 plays 8.”

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Medomak led 35-18 at halftime, and MCI standout guard Todor Imsir had only four points. It wasn’t because of poor shooting, but rather not shooting enough as Imsir was 2-for-2 from the field. He finished with 11 points, but having him take only two shots in 16 minutes definitely hurt.

“We were trying to get him more looks, but I think Medomak had something to say about where he was in the flow of the offense,” Tardy said. “He got the first shot of the game, and they did a pretty good job of overplaying him, and making somebody else do it. And they’re physical.”

The closest MCI got in the second half was 41-29 in the third quarter after a three by Hjalte Christiansen. After that, numerous fouls and 5-second violations slowed the pace of the game slowed down. Medomak pulled away at the line, with DePatsy going 7-for-8 in the fourth quarter.

“It’s certainly disappointing anytime you don’t win a championship,” Tardy said. “But the coaching staff at MCI is so proud of these kids. This is unfamiliar territory for them. Our goal was to make it to the Cross Center. Even though I’m disappointed with the fact that we didn’t win, I’m happy that they never gave up. I think anyone who was watching basketball knows that those guys were playing hard right ’til the end.”

Matt DiFilippo — 861-9243

mdifilippo@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @Matt_DiFilippo


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