Our Communities. Our Teams. Our Future.
We’re proud to make high school sports coverage free for everyone—because these moments matter. At Maine State Credit Union, we’re here for the people and places that make Maine strong. Let’s Go! Learn more at mainestatecu.org. 

View 4 photos

BINGHAM — The gym here is a cathedral to Maine high school basketball — and this was an emotional night for two players that have played more games in it than any others.

With the Valley boys up 30 in the fourth quarter of a Senior Night game last Tuesday against Pine Tree Academy, seniors Harry Louis and Fisher Tewksbury were subbed out of the game. Fans gave a lasting ovation to the two seniors, who shared long hugs with coach Mike Staples and assistants Daron and Dillon Beane.

“(Tonight was) everything to me,” said Tewksbury, who scored 29 points in his final home game. “I’ve put everything into this team, and it’s kind of a surreal moment. I haven’t really grasped it yet, but I’m sure it will hit me at some point.”

Now the top two scorers in Valley basketball history (boys and girls), Tewksbury and Louis have carved their names in program lore. Now, they have one more chance to get the last thing that’s eluded them: the shiny Gold Ball that truly defines the legacy of Cavaliers greats.

A program defined by greatness, Valley was in a rare trough when Louis and Tewksbury first suited up for coach Mike Staples as eighth-graders. The Cavaliers had gone 5-14 — their worst record in more than 60 years — in 2019-20 and lost the three games they played in a COVID-ravaged 2020-21 season by an average of 40 points.

“I had boys who worked hard and played hard, but we weren’t talented, and these guys brought that element of talent in — the ability to score and the ability to play the game,” Staples said. “We put a lot on their shoulders at a very young age, and it was hard to balance that, but they were talented kids.”

Louis and Tewksbury showed that talent quickly, guiding Valley to a 12-5 record in 2021-22. As sophomores in 2023-24, they both reached 1,000 points as Valley claimed the Class D South title. The Cavaliers went 20-1 last season, and this year they’re the No. 1 seed in the Class S South tournament at 16-2.

Over the last five seasons, it’s been almost impossible to separate the two. Their 1,000-point milestones both came in the same game in 2024, only the third known such instance in Maine high school basketball history. This year, they’ve been battling for Valley’s all-time scoring record, which Tewksbury (1,786 points) is likely to claim over Louis (1,713).

“They complement each other,” Staples said. “Harry brings the assists, the ball-handling, the dribbling ability, the 3-point shot and the ability to bring the ball up the court quickly, and Fisher is that steady, confident guy that does everything: scoring, rebounding and playing amazing defense.”

It’s a chemistry that was in the works even when the two were at different schools. Tewksbury, who is from Solon and attended Carrabec until eighth grade, had some great battles with Louis in elementary and middle school. The two joined one another on a travel team and ultimately, thanks to Louis, did the same at Valley.

View 3 photos

“My mom made a travel team and put Fisher on it, and we just worked so well together — ever since we were little, we’ve worked well together,” Louis said. “He’s my brother, and I made it my mission to get him to this school. I knew it would happen this way.”

The two players are well aware, though, that there’s one thing they and fellow senior Collin Nichols don’t have: a state championship. It’s been their goal ever since they first roamed the halls at Upper Kennebec Valley High to put a Gold Ball in the trophy case and a new banner in the gymnasium rafters.

They’ve come close. The Cavaliers went toe-to-toe with Bangor Christian for much of the 2024 Class D state final before the Patriots pulled away for a 44-31 win. They looked to be on track to return to the state final last year before a 59-28 regional final loss to St. Dominic Academy spoiled an unbeaten season.

“That would kind of be everything,” Tewksbury said. “We’ve gone four years without that Gold Ball that we’ve really wanted. We had it slip away our sophomore year with Bangor Christian, and I want nothing more than to get it this year.”

The road to do so is wide open. Valley is 8-0 against the Class S South field, winning by an average of 41.9 points. The Cavaliers’ only losses came against Class C Hall-Dale — a defeat they later avenged — and Class D Monmouth Academy, teams with state title aspirations in higher classes.

That means the chance for Louis and Tewksbury to leave the ultimate legacy is there for the taking. Past standouts like Nick Pelotte, Brian Andre, Jason and Luke Hartwell, and Cody Laweryson brought the ultimate prize back to Bingham — and Louis and Tewksbury know that’s what truly defines a Valley legend.

“The other stuff is OK, but we want the Gold Ball,” Louis said. “That’s the reason those other guys are all known: because they won the Gold Ball. That would complete the road; it’s the one last thing we need.”