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CLASS B BOYS STATE FINAL

WHO: Gardiner (18-3) vs. Yarmouth (17-4)
WHEN: 7:45 p.m. Friday
WHERE: Cross Insurance Center, Bangor
TV: Maine Public Broadcasting Network

KEY PLAYERS: Gardiner — Trace Moody, junior guard (15.9 points, 45 3-pointers, 90% free throws); Brady Atwater, senior forward (10.9 points, 38.4% 3-pointers); Brady Peacock, senior guard (14.2 points, 5.2 rebounds); Brayden Elliott, senior guard (5.0 assists, 4.2 steals); Colin McCormick, sophomore center (55.2 FG%); Nick McKay, senior center (60.4 FG%). Yarmouth — Ian Lawrence, senior forward (16.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists); Adam Maxwell, sophomore forward (12.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists); Evan Oranellas, junior guard (12.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists); Owen Oranellas, junior guard (7.8 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists); Matthew LeBlanc, sophomore forward (8.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists); Andrew Kelly, senior guard (5.3 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists).

GARDINER WILL WIN IF …
• The Tigers can limit Yarmouth to one shot and get their transition game going. Gardiner has shown it can score with any team (80-71 win vs Cony in North final).
• It continues to play with precision. Coach Aaron Toman’s team is, “very deep and very disciplined. … They’re not going to beat themselves,” said Yarmouth coach Connor Hasson.
• Its 3-point shots are falling. Gardiner made 10 3s against Cony, with four each from Atwater (27 points) and Moody.

YARMOUTH WILL WIN IF …
• It wins the battle inside. In the regional final against Medomak Valley, Yarmouth made just two 3-pointers. Lawrence and Maxwell had identical stat lines of seven two-point baskets and four free throws for 18 points.
• The Clippers keep sharing the ball. Yarmouth has thrived because all five starters are offensive threats and good passers.
• The still-young Clippers don’t suddenly let the moment get too big. They displayed poise and maturity in tight games throughout most of the South regional, though seven fourth-quarter turnovers (and Medomak senior Mason Nguyen’s shooting) made for some tense moments in the final.