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AUGUSTA — Hustle plays have been a key part of the Brunswick boys basketball team’s winning ways this season. In a Class A North semifinal Wednesday night against Edward Little, they made the difference.

Whether it was poking the ball from a driving player, drawing charges on consecutive possessions or blocking shots down low and beyond the arc, the Dragons did all they could to continue playing on the Augusta Civic Center court.

The constant disruptions worked. Third-seeded Brunswick forced 22 turnovers and had three players score in double figures in a 52-44 victory over second-seeded Edward Little.

Friday night, Brunswick will play No. 1 seed Camden Hills in the program’s first regional final since 2016.

“I just thought our length really bothered them,” Brunswick coach Ben Clark said. “We would help, and then we were able to close out. We had some blocks on some 3s that were just great plays. It was just hustle plays. Our guys played with great effort and enthusiasm and energy all night long, and that’s what it takes to win in this tournament.”

Rylan Ley recorded 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals for Brunswick. Logan Gray added 11 points, while Owen McGrath and Brennan Shaw both scored 10.

Perhaps just as important, Owen Quinn (three steals) and Jonny Porter (two blocks) were able to hold Edward Little senior guard Akol Maiwen (13 points, seven rebounds) to a season-low scoring performance. The Mr. Maine Basketball semifinalist fouled out with 1:35 to go, when Brunswick led 48-39.

“Their defensive effort was amazing,” Ley said. “There’s not much we can say other than that really put us over the top in this game.”

Shaw, a senior guard, was relatively quiet offensively until the final two minutes but was a still key contributor in terms of hustle plays, drawing multiple second-half charges and repeatedly poking the ball from Edward Little senior guard Cedric Makelele (eight points, four steals).

“When the shots aren’t falling, it’s easy to get down on yourself,” Shaw said. “But with so many good players around you, it’s really easy to play.”

The Red Eddies (15-5) beat the Dragons (16-4) in both regular-season matchups, on Dec. 23 (57-48) and Jan. 27 (65-61 in overtime).

Edward Little started the game with two 3-pointers, but the first half was tightly contested, with four lead changes and eight ties. Maiwen hit a long 2-pointer with five seconds remaining to give the Red Eddies a 28-26 halftime lead.

Brunswick took the lead with a 7-0 spurt in the third quarter before Carson Veilleux made Edward Little’s only basket of the quarter. A pair of Chan Ring free throws with 1:34 left cut Brunswick’s advantage to 35-33, but Edward Little could not get closer. The Dragons went 9 of 15 from the line in the final quarter.