AUGUSTA — Camden Hills faced adversity on Tuesday, but like the Windjammers have done so far this season, they found a way to win.

With star Nolan Ames and others in foul trouble, the Windjammers turned to their defense in a showdown against Mt. Blue at the Augusta Civic Center. The result was a 63-38 victory for undefeated Camden Hills, which remains atop Class A North entering 2026.

“We wanted to bring ball pressure and get up in their shorts a little bit,” said Camden Hills coach Joel Gabriele. “From our scouting report, we felt they may have been uncomfortable if we played at a faster pace, so that’s what we did.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

•Camden Hills’ defense delivered. Ames and Hollis Schwalm both picked up a third foul midway through the second quarter, which could have thrown the Windjammers (7-0) for a loop. Instead, Camden Hills locked down on defense and held Mt. Blue (4-2) to just two points in the quarter and led 27-13 at the break.

“We’re good with hands in the passing lane and jumping to help,” Gabriele said. “We had really active hands in the paint that led to some reach-in fouls, but to be honest, I’m going to take those all day if they lead to steals that lead to transition to hoops.”

• Ames got the Windjammers going, hitting two 3-pointers to start the game as part of a 12-point first quarter. Then, when Mt. Blue’s offense found a rhythm in the third quarter, three baskets by Tucker Whitley kept the Windjammers comfortably in front.

“It’s crazy to say it, but (Nolan’s) passing might be his best attribute even though he’s awesome at everything else,” said Mt. Blue coach Troy Norton. “They’re not just Nolan, either; their other guys can play, too.”

WHAT IT MEANS

• Camden Hills closed out the 2025 portion of its schedule with wins over Edward Little, Bangor and Mt. Blue — three other top-five teams in Class A North — as well as Class B power Medomak Valley. The Windjammers have done it despite playing just two home games as a result of postponements.

• A young Mt. Blue team will look to regroup after a tough loss. The Cougars, who have no seniors, struggled with Camden Hills’ defensive pressure, committing eight turnovers in the first quarter. Still, Norton likes the progress he’s seen from his squad this far.

“A lot of our guys have been asked to do things that they’ve never had to do before, so it’s an adjustment,” Norton said. “The best teams, they’re going to play defense against you like that. That’s been our Achilles’ heel, but we’re young, and everything is a learning experience.”

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

“I got in (foul) trouble early, so I had to count on my teammates. I have all my trust in them; they walled up and (showed) very good defense and very good rebounding.” — Nolan Ames

STAT LEADERS

• Camden Hills: Nolan Ames (22 points), Tucker Whitley (13 points, six rebounds)

• Mt. Blue: Oliver Cormier (16 points), Evan Drake (14 points)

UP NEXT

• Camden Hills: vs. Oceanside (3-4), 7 p.m. Friday

• Mt. Blue: at Oxford Hills (2-5), 7 p.m. Friday