The Maine schoolboy basketball tournament is deeply cherished for a variety of reasons: the big stage, the unpredictability, the buzzer beaters and the underdog stories.
This year, fans will have yet another reason to tune into the tournament — to see six sets of brothers on five championship contending teams do everything they can to win a gold ball.
Some more well-known than others, these pairs of brothers each bring something unique to the tourney, and have been extremely vital to their teams’ success so far this season. Here’s a look at each duo, ordered alphabetically.
Ben and Will Francis, Orono
Starting for the Red Riots since their freshman years, senior Ben Francis and junior Will Francis fueled Orono’s upset victories over rivals Ellsworth and then No. 1 Oceanside in last year’s tournament, winning the Class B state title for the first time since 1981.
Ben is Orono’s strong, steady force, averaging 15 points per game on 60 percent shooting through 14 games played; Will is Orono’s most gifted athlete, averaging eight points, eight rebounds and 3.5 assists. But most importantly, the duo aren’t satisfied with just one gold ball.
“We always come with intensity. We’re all kinda obsessive over getting another one,” Will said. “Class B’s really well-rounded this year — it would be amazing to win another with Ben. It’s nice to have that chemistry between us.”
Carter and Cohen Galley, Oceanside
Led by the sure-shooting Galley twins, Oceanside was averaging close to 90 points per game late in the season, and could be the most fearsome team in Class B. Last year, the No. 1 Mariners came up three points shy of winning the state championship, but the Galley twins are determined to capture a title before graduating this spring.
Through 15 games this year, Carter is averaging 30 points on 53 percent shooting, plus 7.4 rebounds and 2.5 steals, while Cohen is averaging 23 points on 55 percent shooting, plus 5.8 assists and 3.1 steals. Both stand at roughly 6-feet, 180 lbs, and fluctuate between shooting guard and small forward.
“We’re just focused on winning the state championship. We all know what it takes to get there now, we just gotta be a little better this year,” Carter said. “It takes the pressure off, playing with [one another]. When someone’s having a bad night, the other one steps up. We’ve been playing together for 12 years, and we’ve always had that confidence in each other.”
Andy and Liam Henaghen, Hampden Academy
Hampden Academy is undoubtedly a Class A North favorite this year, due to the Broncos’ length and defensive tenacity. While outshined by high-scoring seniors Zach McLaughlin and JJ Wolfington, 6-foot-4 junior Andy Henaghen and 6-foot-5 sophomore Liam Henaghen have subtly done wonders for Hampden, particularly on the defensive end and on the boards.
“Both Andy and Liam have the ability to guard multiple positions with their length and athleticism,” 21-year Hampden head coach Russ Bartlett said. “Andy is all heart, and Liam is all technique.”
Through 14 games played, Liam is averaging six points, five rebounds and two blocks per game. Off the bench, Andy is Hampden’s sixth man, averaging two points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.5 blocks per game.
Maddox and Mason Kinney, Hermon
At 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-3 respectively, junior Maddox Kinney and sophomore Mason Kinney have helped lead Hermon’s young squad past powerhouses Ellsworth and Caribou this regular season, en route to the Hawks’ first postseason appearance in two years.
Together, the lanky and easygoing duo start at center and power forward for Hermon, and combine for 12 points and 12 rebounds per game. From two-point territory, Maddox is shooting roughly 50 percent, and from beyond the arc Mason will make one or two 3-pointers per game.
“It will be our first time in the tournament, so that will be a fun experience — to experience it with my brother makes it even better,” Maddox said. “Now that we’ve all grown up a little, we’ve gotten stronger and started to get more team chemistry. As long as we’re consistent, we can beat almost anyone.”
Jalen and Rajon Reed; Conrad and Elliot Straubel, Bangor Christian
In the past five seasons, Bangor Christian has gone from a one-win team to a Class D favorite, largely thanks to the contributions of the Reed and Straubel brothers — who also happen to be second cousins.
Building around four-year starters Jalen Reed and Conrad Straubel, the Patriots have become a defensive juggernaut, and underclassmen Rajon Reed and Elliot Straubel will provide that extra juice for Bangor Christian to go deep into the tournament. As a foursome, the Reed and Elliot brothers average 11 steals per game, and as a team the Patriots allow less than 35 points per game.
“They complement each other, both as pairs and as a quad. They seem to know almost instinctively what the other one’s doing,” five-year Bangor Christian head coach Charlie Colson said. “They’re good leaders, and great kids to coach — they have worked really hard for us to be where we are. For younger players, Elliot and Rajon are fantastic defenders.”
