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AUGUSTA — It wouldn’t take a basketball savant to see that Edward Little seniors Akol Maiwen and Cedric Makelele have chemistry on the court. 

That’s probably because the two have been playing together since they were in fourth grade. 

From the YMCA to travel ball, the Red Eddies duo has shared the court almost every year since then. Now they’re seniors leading Edward Little in the Class A North tournament, trying to advance further than last year’s Class AA regional final loss to Windham. 

“Fourth grade, YMCA … we got put on the same team, and ever since then it’s just 100% chemistry every single time …” said Makelele. “We know each other’s game, we know each other’s weaknesses and strengths, and we push each other to get each other better. That chemistry really helps, especially going into (the) playoffs. We just know how to play with each other.”

Maiwen and Makelele’s chemistry was on full display in Edward Little’s 60-48 victory over Hampden Academy in a Class A North quarterfinal Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

Maiwen finished with 26 points – 15 of which came from 3-point range – and Makelele scored 18 to help send the second-seeded Red Eddies to the semifinals. 

“We did put up a lot of numbers, but we got those opportunities because our other teammates were hitting shots, opening up the offense, making (Hampden) close out hard on them, which allowed us to get dribble penetration,” Maiwen said. “Also, (Makelele)’s hitting me with great spots, getting it right in my pocket, getting those shots off. And same thing goes for me. I’m hitting him. Just fundamentals, things that we work on.”

The pair combined for Edward Little’s first 16 points of the game and came up clutch down the stretch against a seventh-seeded Hampden team that came within three points of the Red Eddies in the fourth quarter. 

“I feel like I can close my eyes and know where he is on the court,” Maiwen said. “Honestly just playing with each other for so long, this is my brother off the court, too. So this is a connection that you can’t beat.” 

When James Philbrook began his tenure as head coach of the Red Eddies last season, he said Maiwen and Makelele were two players who were especially welcoming. 

Now, the second-year head coach’s relationship with them is at an all-time high, trusting them enough to switch play calls mid-possession if they see fit. 

“It’s a credit to them and all the hard work that they’ve put in,” Philbrook said. “But coming up together and playing together, obviously that formed that chemistry.” 

Edward Little will lean on that chemistry when it takes on Brunswick – whom the Red Eddies defeated twice during the regular season –  in the semifinals on Wednesday. 

After all, with Maiwen and Makelele graduating in the spring and hoping to eventually play at the collegiate level, this might be their last opportunity to share the floor and put that on-court connection to the test. 

“It’s just cherishing these moments and just enjoying it while it lasts, because obviously it’s not going to last forever,” Maiwen said. “So just making the most of it.”