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CLASS S BOYS STATE FINAL

WHO: Easton (15-6) vs. Valley (19-2)
WHEN: 12:45 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Augusta Civic Center
TV/STREAMING: Maine Public Broadcasting Network

KEY PLAYERS: Easton — Mason Pelletier, sophomore forward (18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds per game); Raiden Cochran, senior guard (12.0 points); Drew Lamoreau, junior forward (12.6 points); Jamie Mackay, junior forward (5.6 points, 4.0 rebounds). Valley — Harry Louis, senior guard (17.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 6.0 assists); Fisher Tewksbury, senior forward (18.2 points, 10.9 rebounds); Levi Short, junior forward (12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds); Collin Nichols, senior guard (8.6 points, 3.3 rebounds), Cameron Lay, sophomore guard (6.6 points, 5.5 rebounds).

EASTON WINS IF …

• Pelletier has a huge game. The sophomore was dominant in the North regional, averaging 29 points. If he can score consistently, get steals — he averaged 7.3 per game at the Cross Insurance Center — and match Valley’s bigs on the boards, the Bears will be in a position to win.

• It forces turnovers. The Bears were able to knock off top-seeded Jonesport-Beals in the North final by forcing 29 turnovers, including eight each by Royals stars Anderson Alley and Koben Robinson. They’ll need to force Valley, which has taken good care of the ball its past two games, into more mistakes.

• It defends well in transition. Bears coach Danny Warren noted that the Cavaliers’ ability to run the floor at a frantic pace is one of their greatest attributes. Easton must be able to get back on defense and prevent Louis from getting easy transition layups.

VALLEY WINS IF…

• It gets balanced scoring. The Cavaliers had eight players with multiple field goals in a quarterfinal win over Greenville and seven in the regional final victory over Forest Hills. If Valley can do that Saturday afternoon, it likely will put up too many points for Easton to keep pace.

• It outduels Easton on the boards. In their rampage through the South tournament, the Cavaliers outrebounded opponents 129-63 — an average margin of 22 per game. Valley might not reach that margin against the Bears, but even outrebounding them by seven or eight would put the Cavaliers on course for victory.

• It gets ready for a four-quarter battle. Whereas Easton was neck-and-neck with Jonesport-Beals in the North final before pulling away late, the Cavaliers were barely tested in the South. Valley must be prepared for the possibility of a tight game against a foe stronger than any they’ve faced in the postseason.