CLASS D BOYS BASKETBALL: Freshmen play key role in Forest Hills run
Before the basketball season began, when he knew the four freshmen on his team would see significant playing time, Forest Hills coach Anthony Amero developed his plan.
“I sat down with my assistant coaches and said ‘First off, we have to make sure the season stays fun for them,’ ” Amero said. “I was very nervous for the pressure they’d be under.”
Not only did the season stay fun, Amero’s four freshmen — guards Brandon Ouellette and Matt Turner, forward Ryan Petrin and center Tanner Daigle — helped extend it. On Saturday, the Tigers (18-3) will play in the state championship for the first time, taking on Jonesport-Beals (17-2) in the Class D title game at 2:45 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center.
“We knew it would be a tough season,” Petrin said. “We didn’t expect to win as many games as we did.”
With no seniors and just a few returning players, Amero inserted Ouellette, Petrin and Turner right into the starting lineup, with Daigle a key reserve in the low post.
The plan was to improve as the season went along, maybe win nine or 10 games, and reach the Western Maine Class D tournament for the 12th straight year. After gaining this season of experience, Amero thought the Tigers would be contenders next season.
The Tigers lost the season opener to Vinalhaven, 57-56, and a pair of regular-season games to rival Valley. They have won 14 straight entering the state championship game, and the steady improvement of the freshmen, particularly on the defensive end, is a big reason.
Read More: http://www.centralmaine.com/2012/03/01/freshmen-play-key-role-in-forest-hills-run_2012-02-29/
“I sat down with my assistant coaches and said ‘First off, we have to make sure the season stays fun for them,’ ” Amero said. “I was very nervous for the pressure they’d be under.”
Not only did the season stay fun, Amero’s four freshmen — guards Brandon Ouellette and Matt Turner, forward Ryan Petrin and center Tanner Daigle — helped extend it. On Saturday, the Tigers (18-3) will play in the state championship for the first time, taking on Jonesport-Beals (17-2) in the Class D title game at 2:45 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center.
“We knew it would be a tough season,” Petrin said. “We didn’t expect to win as many games as we did.”
With no seniors and just a few returning players, Amero inserted Ouellette, Petrin and Turner right into the starting lineup, with Daigle a key reserve in the low post.
The plan was to improve as the season went along, maybe win nine or 10 games, and reach the Western Maine Class D tournament for the 12th straight year. After gaining this season of experience, Amero thought the Tigers would be contenders next season.
The Tigers lost the season opener to Vinalhaven, 57-56, and a pair of regular-season games to rival Valley. They have won 14 straight entering the state championship game, and the steady improvement of the freshmen, particularly on the defensive end, is a big reason.
Read More: http://www.centralmaine.com/2012/03/01/freshmen-play-key-role-in-forest-hills-run_2012-02-29/
Steve Solloway: Small town, but what a big win
AUGUSTA – “I can’t believe it,” said Terry Doyle again and again as he worked to slow his wildly beating heart. “I can’t even talk about it.”
All around him, neighbors and friends from tiny Jackman hugged and yelled and tried to make sense of what they just witnessed. Forest Hills High just beat Hyde School 61-60 for the Western Class D championship.
No one saw this coming.“We have no chance,” Doyle said after walking into the Augusta Civic Center. “Are you kidding me? They have a professional basketball coach. (No, Peter Rowe doesn’t need to wear as many hats as Anthony Amero at Forest Hills.) They recruit their players. (If Hyde did, that recruiter should be fired. Hyde has won one state title in 30 years.)
“They’re a private boarding school. They’ve got 150 kids. We have 54. We’ve got eight players on the whole team. (True, true, true and true.)
“They have busloads of fans. (Hyde students are bussed to games.) We’ve got 800 people in our whole town.”
Not every Forest Hills fan was as vehement about their team’s chance of upsetting a very athletic, deep and taller team, which was 17-1 and the tournament’s top seed. But they weren’t overly optimistic, either.
This is small-town basketball played on the state’s biggest stages. So the crowd maybe numbered in the hundreds, much less than the thousands expected at the Cumberland County Civic Center later Saturday night for the big-school finals. So what?
“Our kids are playing for their school, their town,” said Doyle. “Who is Hyde playing for? (Their community, which is the school.)”
Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2012/02/25/small-town-but-what-a-big-win_2012-02-26/
All around him, neighbors and friends from tiny Jackman hugged and yelled and tried to make sense of what they just witnessed. Forest Hills High just beat Hyde School 61-60 for the Western Class D championship.
No one saw this coming.“We have no chance,” Doyle said after walking into the Augusta Civic Center. “Are you kidding me? They have a professional basketball coach. (No, Peter Rowe doesn’t need to wear as many hats as Anthony Amero at Forest Hills.) They recruit their players. (If Hyde did, that recruiter should be fired. Hyde has won one state title in 30 years.)
“They’re a private boarding school. They’ve got 150 kids. We have 54. We’ve got eight players on the whole team. (True, true, true and true.)
“They have busloads of fans. (Hyde students are bussed to games.) We’ve got 800 people in our whole town.”
Not every Forest Hills fan was as vehement about their team’s chance of upsetting a very athletic, deep and taller team, which was 17-1 and the tournament’s top seed. But they weren’t overly optimistic, either.
This is small-town basketball played on the state’s biggest stages. So the crowd maybe numbered in the hundreds, much less than the thousands expected at the Cumberland County Civic Center later Saturday night for the big-school finals. So what?
“Our kids are playing for their school, their town,” said Doyle. “Who is Hyde playing for? (Their community, which is the school.)”
Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2012/02/25/small-town-but-what-a-big-win_2012-02-26/
WESTERN D BOYS BASKETBALL: Forest Hills gets help with prep work
The Forest Hills boys basketball team has eight players on its roster. None of them are listed taller than 6-foot-3.
Those two facts make it tough for the Tigers to prepare to face a much taller, extremely talented Hyde team in the Western D regional final.
Fortunately, the Tigers have had some help.
As is tradition at Forest Hills, a number of former players have returned to Jackman this week and participated in practice as the Tigers prepare for their second regional final in four years. No. 2 Forest Hills (17-3) takes on No. 1 Hyde (17-1) at 2:45 p.m. today at the Augusta Civic Center.
“It is understood that if you are in town, you come help us,” Forest Hills coach Anthony Amero said of his alumni. “One of our biggest strengths is our alumni guys.”
Among the players practicing with the Tigers this week were Tim Talpy and Bob Mannix, who both played in 2003, and Dylan McNally, who graduated last year.
A helping hand will come in handy for the Tigers as they prepare to face Hyde. The top-ranked Phoenix are led by 6-foot-3 forward Jonah Alexander, who grabbed 20 rebounds in the regional semifinals, 6-5 forward Warsame Mohamed and 5-7 guard Tyquad Ekejiuba, who had eight assists in the quarterfinals.
“They are big,” Amero said. “Basically, the way we are approaching this is David vs. Goliath.”
Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2012/02/24/tigers-get-some-help_2012-02-24/
Those two facts make it tough for the Tigers to prepare to face a much taller, extremely talented Hyde team in the Western D regional final.
Fortunately, the Tigers have had some help.
As is tradition at Forest Hills, a number of former players have returned to Jackman this week and participated in practice as the Tigers prepare for their second regional final in four years. No. 2 Forest Hills (17-3) takes on No. 1 Hyde (17-1) at 2:45 p.m. today at the Augusta Civic Center.
“It is understood that if you are in town, you come help us,” Forest Hills coach Anthony Amero said of his alumni. “One of our biggest strengths is our alumni guys.”
Among the players practicing with the Tigers this week were Tim Talpy and Bob Mannix, who both played in 2003, and Dylan McNally, who graduated last year.
A helping hand will come in handy for the Tigers as they prepare to face Hyde. The top-ranked Phoenix are led by 6-foot-3 forward Jonah Alexander, who grabbed 20 rebounds in the regional semifinals, 6-5 forward Warsame Mohamed and 5-7 guard Tyquad Ekejiuba, who had eight assists in the quarterfinals.
“They are big,” Amero said. “Basically, the way we are approaching this is David vs. Goliath.”
Read more: http://www.pressherald.com/2012/02/24/tigers-get-some-help_2012-02-24/
WESTERN D BOYS BASKETBALL: Forest Hills hangs on
AUGUSTA — Valley rallied from a 15-point third quarter deficit to get within two points in the fourth quarter, but the Forest Hills boys survived to earn a 54-46 win in the Western D semifinals.
No. 2 Forest Hills improves to 17-3 and advances to play in the semifinals on Saturday. No. 3 Valley ends the season 15-5.
Evan Worster scored 22 points Forest Hills. Derick Ouellette added nine and Brandon Ouellette had nine.
Seth Malloy scored 14 for Valley. Carrington Miller added 15 and Caleb Wade 10.
No. 2 Forest Hills improves to 17-3 and advances to play in the semifinals on Saturday. No. 3 Valley ends the season 15-5.
Evan Worster scored 22 points Forest Hills. Derick Ouellette added nine and Brandon Ouellette had nine.
Seth Malloy scored 14 for Valley. Carrington Miller added 15 and Caleb Wade 10.
WESTERN D BOYS BASKETBALL: Forest Hills was prepared
The Forest Hills boys basketball team had been here before.
A double-digit deficit late in the second half? No problem.
“We've come back from deficits before,” Forest Hills junior Evan Worster said. “We knew we could pull this one out.”
And the Tigers did just that Saturday, erasing a 19-point third quarter deficit to stun top-seeded Hyde 61-60 in the Western D championship game.
“We've been through this before,” added Worster, who scored a game-high 33 points to give him a Western D regional record 106.
Indeed, they have.
Forest Hills (18-3), which will meet Jonesport-Beals in the Class D state title game next Saturday, trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter of a game at Greenville on Jan. 31.
The Tigers stormed back and won that game, 55-53.
“We clicked it in there,” Forest Hills coach Anthony Amero said. “We play such a tough schedule. We were down to Greenville on the road and won it. Now when we get in these situations we were like 'we can do it.'”
The Tigers certainly did, scoring four points in the final 32 seconds Saturday to pull out the victory.
“It seemed like we had endless energy,” Amero said. “The crowd pushed us through.”
A double-digit deficit late in the second half? No problem.
“We've come back from deficits before,” Forest Hills junior Evan Worster said. “We knew we could pull this one out.”
And the Tigers did just that Saturday, erasing a 19-point third quarter deficit to stun top-seeded Hyde 61-60 in the Western D championship game.
“We've been through this before,” added Worster, who scored a game-high 33 points to give him a Western D regional record 106.
Indeed, they have.
Forest Hills (18-3), which will meet Jonesport-Beals in the Class D state title game next Saturday, trailed by 15 points in the fourth quarter of a game at Greenville on Jan. 31.
The Tigers stormed back and won that game, 55-53.
“We clicked it in there,” Forest Hills coach Anthony Amero said. “We play such a tough schedule. We were down to Greenville on the road and won it. Now when we get in these situations we were like 'we can do it.'”
The Tigers certainly did, scoring four points in the final 32 seconds Saturday to pull out the victory.
“It seemed like we had endless energy,” Amero said. “The crowd pushed us through.”
WESTERN D BOYS BASKETBALL: Forest Hills wins title in stunning fashion
AUGUSTA – Evan Worster scored a game-high 33 points and the Forest Hills boys basketball team rallied from a 19-point second half deficit to upset top-seeded Hyde 61-60 in the Western D championship game Saturday afternoon at the Civic Center.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Worster, who scored 21 points in the second half.
The No. 2 Tigers (18-3) trailed 42-23 with 2:28 left in the third quarter but out-scored the Phoenix 38-18 the rest of the way.
Worster scored the go-ahead basket with 7.9 seconds left then added a pair of free throws to ice it.
Matt Turner scored 14 points and Derick Ouellette added seven for Forest Hills.
Tyquan Ekejiuba led Hyde with 15 points, including a 3-pointer as time expired.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Worster, who scored 21 points in the second half.
The No. 2 Tigers (18-3) trailed 42-23 with 2:28 left in the third quarter but out-scored the Phoenix 38-18 the rest of the way.
Worster scored the go-ahead basket with 7.9 seconds left then added a pair of free throws to ice it.
Matt Turner scored 14 points and Derick Ouellette added seven for Forest Hills.
Tyquan Ekejiuba led Hyde with 15 points, including a 3-pointer as time expired.
WESTERN D BOYS BASKETBALL: Worster, Forest Hills to play for 1st state title
AUGUSTA — Forest Hills junior forward Evan Worster climbed six steps up the wooden latter, graciously accepted a pair of scissors and began cutting down a net inside a buzzing Augusta Civic Center.
Worster then twirled the twine in his right hand, much to the delight of the Forest Hills faithful who made the 112-mile trek from Jackman hoping to witness history Saturday.
And witness history they did.
Worster scored a game-high 33 points to set a regional scoring record and the Tigers nipped top-seeded Hyde 61-60 in dramatic fashion to win their first Western D championship.
“It’s unreal,” said Worster, who turned the Civic Center into his personal playground this week. “It’s just … unbelievable.”
Worster scored a record 106 points in the Western D regional, eclipsing the previous mark of 96 that Buckfield’s Paul Bessey set in 1968.
Forest Hills (18-3) will play Jonesport-Beals in the Class D state final at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.
The Tigers trailed Hyde (17-2) by 19 points with 2 minutes, 28 seconds left in the third quarter before they electrified the Civic Center crowd with a stirring comeback.
Forest Hills outscored Hyde 38-18 after trailing 42-23 late in the third.
“It’s surreal,” Forest Hills coach Anthony Amero said. “The run we’ve had is just wow. I’m so proud of my guys. We didn’t want to be down more than 10 or 15 in the game. It was our goal going into the game, so we were a little worried. But there was just no quit in them.”
Added Forest Hills guard Derick Ouellette, who scored seven points and forced several key turnovers in the fourth quarter: “I guess there was a little bit of concern, but we never gave up. There was a little bit of doubt, but we just kept going, kept going.”
Read more: http://www.centralmaine.com/2012/02/26/worster-forest-hillsto-play-for-1st-state-title_2012-02-25/
Worster then twirled the twine in his right hand, much to the delight of the Forest Hills faithful who made the 112-mile trek from Jackman hoping to witness history Saturday.
And witness history they did.
Worster scored a game-high 33 points to set a regional scoring record and the Tigers nipped top-seeded Hyde 61-60 in dramatic fashion to win their first Western D championship.
“It’s unreal,” said Worster, who turned the Civic Center into his personal playground this week. “It’s just … unbelievable.”
Worster scored a record 106 points in the Western D regional, eclipsing the previous mark of 96 that Buckfield’s Paul Bessey set in 1968.
Forest Hills (18-3) will play Jonesport-Beals in the Class D state final at 2:45 p.m. Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.
The Tigers trailed Hyde (17-2) by 19 points with 2 minutes, 28 seconds left in the third quarter before they electrified the Civic Center crowd with a stirring comeback.
Forest Hills outscored Hyde 38-18 after trailing 42-23 late in the third.
“It’s surreal,” Forest Hills coach Anthony Amero said. “The run we’ve had is just wow. I’m so proud of my guys. We didn’t want to be down more than 10 or 15 in the game. It was our goal going into the game, so we were a little worried. But there was just no quit in them.”
Added Forest Hills guard Derick Ouellette, who scored seven points and forced several key turnovers in the fourth quarter: “I guess there was a little bit of concern, but we never gave up. There was a little bit of doubt, but we just kept going, kept going.”
Read more: http://www.centralmaine.com/2012/02/26/worster-forest-hillsto-play-for-1st-state-title_2012-02-25/
