By Ernie Clark, Special to the BDN
The Bangor Christian boys basketball team captured its first regional championship in 21 years Saturday afternoon, leading nearly from start to finish in a 38-25 victory over previously undefeated Schenck of East Millinocket in the Class D North final at the Cross Insurance Center.
The win advances coach Charlie Colson’s Patriots to next Saturday’s 2:45 p.m. state final against Valley of Bingham at the Augusta Civic Center. Valley defeated St. Dominic of Auburn 45-36 to win the South regional.
Second-seeded Bangor Christian (18-3) avenged two regular-season losses to top-ranked Schenck (20-1) thanks to stout defense and a strong rebounding effort that featured senior guard Jalen Reed.
Reed, the Penobscot Valley Conference Class D player of the year, scored seven of his game-high 15 points during the first quarter, with his pass to sophomore center Jesse Booker producing a baseline jumper that snapped a 4-4 tie and ignited a 9-0 run that enabled Bangor Christian to take control.
Reed’s younger brother, freshman guard Rajon Reed, played a pivotal defensive role with his work against Schenck senior guard Mason McDunnah. McDunnah, who averaged 20 points per game in the Wolverines’ first two tourney victories, was kept in check by the rangy Reed and managed just two field goals and seven total points.
Jalen Reed also contributed 10 rebounds as BC battled the bigger Schenck squad to a 27-27 stalemate on the backboards, as well as six steals, three blocked shots and three assists for Bangor Christian. Booker contributed 10 points and five rebounds while Rajon Reed scored eight points on an 8-for-10 effort from the free-throw line.
Junior forward Owen Wyman led Schenck with 10 points.
Bangor Christian’s lead grew to 13-4 by the end of the first period. Schenck opened the second quarter with McDunnah’s first field goal and a 3-pointer by Wyman to close the gap to 13-9. Schenck could never get any closer.
The Patriots’ lead was 15-11 at halftime, and while Schenck continued to hang close in this battle of Class D defensive powers, two Rajon Reed free throws and a steal-layup by sophomore guard Elliot Straubel stretched BC’s advantage to 24-15 at the end of the third period.
Schenck got no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
