OAKLAND — The lacrosse net in the Pickett’s backyard has seen better days.
“We’re always out back shooting around,” Devin Pickett, a junior on the Messalonskee boys lacrosse team, said. “We have a net and it’s torn up.”
Eastern A lacrosse championships
No. 1 Messalonskee (13-1) vs. No. 3 Portland (9-5)
What: Eastern A girls lacrosse final
When: 3:30 p.m., Wednesday
Where: Thomas College, Waterville
Key players: Portland — Merritt Ryan (Jr., M), Isabel Stehli (Jr., A), Ellis Linsmith (Sr., A). Messalonskee — India Languet (Jr., A), Nathalie St. Pierre (Jr., M), Ally Turner (Fr., M), Lydia Dexter, (So., M), Haley Lowell (Fr., D), Calla Balboni (Sr., D).
Outlook: The Eagles and Bulldogs did not meet during the regular season, but both had similar results against common opponents Mt. Ararat, Brunswick, Cony, McAuley, Edward Little and Cheverus. Portland needed extra time to get past both Cheverus and Mt. Ararat in the playoffs, yet Messalonskee is no stranger to winning in overtime either as it went 4-0 in games that went beyond regulation during the regular season. One way or another, expect this game to be decided in the fourth quarter or possibly beyond.
They said it: “Portland is a tough opponent. They definitely showed a lot of grit in their two overtime victories so far and we’re definitely going to have to be at our best to make sure that we come out on top, but we have obviously shown that we can come out on top whether it’s in overtime or it’s in regulation. I’m feeling like we’re ready to take on the challenge,” said Messalonskee coach Ashley Pullen.
No. 1 Brunswick (14-0) vs. No. 2 Messalonskee (10-4)
What: Eastern A boys lacrosse final
When: 6:30 p.m., Wednesday
Where: Brunswick High School
Key players: Brunswick — Cam Glover (Sr., M/A), Matt Brooks (Sr., M), T.J. Sullivan (Sr., M/A), Ryan Croatti (Sr., M/A), Josh Dorr (So., M/A), Ian Schlosser (Sr., M/A). Messalonskee — Elija Tuell (Sr., GK), Devin Pickett (Jr., D), Dylan Jones (Jr., A), Dylan Burton (Jr., M), Jack Bernatchez (Jr., M), Connor Smith (So., A)
Outlook: Is the fourth time the charm? The Eagles are certainly hoping so as they prepare to face the Dragons for the fourth time this season, with each of the three previous meetings resulting in a win for Brunswick. Messalonskee will need to find a way to slow up Glover, an All-American, and the high-powered Dragons’ offense. Ball control and winning the draw against Schlosser will be crucial if the Eagles are going to be the first team to beat Brunswick this season.
They said it: “We’ve just got to make the right plays at the right time. It’s a lot of experience out there, we respect them, but we definitely feel that we can beat them. We’ve just got to play our game and do it better than Brunswick that day. We definitely know they’re not overlooking us because that group hasn’t had a state championship yet and we’re a team that’s hungry to get there,” said Messalonskee coach Tom Sheridan
Pickett also speculates that he and his younger sister, Lauren, a freshman on the Messalonskee girls team, have probably lost “hundreds of balls in the woods” over the years as well. Lauren’s teammate, Calla Balboni, a senior captain, said she and her younger brother, Alden, a freshman on the boys’ team, have gotten their fair share of use out of the net in their yard as well.
For each set of siblings, though, the only nets they are hoping to light up going forward will be the oppositions’.
Both Messalonskee lacrosse teams were at Thomas College Monday afternoon to make final preparations for their respective Eastern Class A championship games on Wednesday. The girls will host Portland at Thomas at 3:30 p.m., while the boys travel to Brunswick for a 6:30 p.m. start.
“We’re ready for the pressure,” Lauren Pickett said.
“I’ve been in the same situation three times in hockey,” added her older brother. “It’s going to be a big game and hopefully we come out and play well against Brunswick and I hope they go out and beat (Portland).”
The Picketts and Balbonis have made various contributions for their respective teams this season. According to Messalonskee girls coach Ashley Pullen, Calla Balboni and Lauren Pickett have each made their mark for the Eagles on opposite ends of the field.
“Calla, she’s one of our two seniors so she has provided a lot of leadership on the field and she’s a returning defender,” Pullen said. “She definitely kind of directs traffic back there.
“Lauren, we’re very lucky to have her out there on the field as a freshman who has been playing lacrosse in the offseason and on some travel teams, which is really nice. She’s got great stick skills and definitely has a nose for the goal.”
Devin Pickett, meanwhile, has been one of the top defenders for the second-seeded Messalonskee boys team according to his coach, Tom Sheridan.
“He’s really come into his own. He’s one of those kids on your team that’s just athletically gifted,” Sheridan said. “He can just run real fast, he sees the field well when he picks up the ball in transition.
“He’s one of my best takeaway check people as well. He probably leads the team in takeaway checks. He’s a really solid defender. We usually put him on the other team’s top offensive player, or one of the other team’s top offensive players.”
As for Alden Balboni, he has been a second-line midfielder for the Eagles and is one of a handful of freshmen contributors on the team along with classmates Austin Pelletier and Nick Poulliot.
“(Alden Balboni) has done a really good job,” Sheridan said. “He’s got about 10 goals this year. He goes hard when he’s on the field and he doesn’t play like a freshman. He’s strong defensively as well.”
As for where he got his skills, Balboni’s older sister has a suggestion.
“Maybe he learned it all from me,” said Calla, turning to her brother with a wry smile.
“Maybe,” he said, offering the same dry humor in return.
One thing both can agree on, though, is how they hope Wednesday ends: With a regional championship.
Evan Crawley — 621-5640
ecrawley@mainetoday.com
Twitter: @Evan_Crawley
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