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CLASS A GIRLS STATE FINAL

WHO: Hampden Academy (17-4) vs. Cheverus (20-1)

WHEN: 6:05 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Cross Insurance Arena, Portland

TV/STREAMING: Maine Public Broadcasting Network

KEY PLAYERS: Cheverus — Kylie Lamson, senior guard (20.1 points per game, 3.3 rebounds); Anna Goodman, senior guard (8.2 points, 5.2 rebounds); Kristin King, freshman guard (10.4 points, 2.2 assists); Abby Kelly, junior forward (4.7 points, 5.2 rebounds); Rachel LaSalle, senior forward (4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds). Hampden Academy— Grace LaBree, senior center (8.6 points, 7 rebounds); Aubrey Shaw, junior guard (8.3 points, 2.2 steals); Kate Adams, junior guard (7.6 points, 4.2 rebounds); Eve Wiles, junior guard (7 points, 2.8 assists); Naia Studley, freshman guard (7 points, 1.3 steals).

CHEVERUS WINS IF …

• The press rattles the Broncos. The Stags love to bring pressure, and they’re good at hassling ballhandlers without leaving other players open. In the South semifinals, Biddeford handled the press early but struggled late, and it set the stage for a Cheverus comeback. If Hampden can grab a lead, the heat will come.

• Kristin King plays big. The freshman guard has been unfazed by pressure and big moments, and sparked the Stags in their regional final win over South Portland. If she’s playing with confidence on the championship stage, that’s less pressure on Lamson, and Cheverus will be tough to beat.

• It gets out to an early lead. The semifinal against Biddeford showed that the Stags are hard to keep down, but they’re even harder to chase down. A fast start for Cheverus could doom the Broncos.

HAMPDEN WILL WIN IF …

• Lamson is held in check. The strength for Cheverus is that it has multiple players who can score 10 points, but Lamson and King are probably the only ones who can score 20. If the Broncos can slow down the Miss Maine finalist, they can avoid a high-scoring game.

• It is the grittier team. Addie Jordan and Abby Kelly are great at getting tough rebounds and playing physical defense, wearing down opponents. If Hampden can beat the Stags at their own game, it can hold off the momentum swings Cheverus thrives on.

• Grace LaBree is the difference maker. Cheverus doesn’t have much height and had no answer last year for South Portland’s Destiny Peter in the state final. The Stags had were able to defend Peter this year in the regional final, but if the 6-4 LaBree is able to challenge shots and snatch rebounds, the game might play out the way Hampden wants.