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Every February, Maine sports fans turn their attention to the high school basketball tournaments. The 2023 version
featured 184 games in five classes played in a span of three weeks at venues like the 50-year-old Augusta Civic Center, the Portland Expo, Cross Insurance Center in Bangor and Cross Insurance Arena in Portland.
There were joyous winning celebrations. There were tears after the buzzer sounded. There were amazing plays, furious finishes and the plays coaches wish they could run again.
Below we offer you images of action, emotion, unwavering support, unbreakable bonds. Each picture tells a story and gives us a reason to look forward to next year's tipoff.
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MICHAEL G. SEAMANS/MORNING SENTINEL
Members of the Lawrence High girls' basketball team and their fans celebrate during the Class A state championship game against Brunswick. The Bulldogs claimed their 6th title and first since 2015 with a 58-43
win at Augusta Civic Center.
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JOE PHELAN/KENNEBEC JOURNAL
Messalonskee junior forward Nick Dexter tries
to keep the ball in bounds in front of Skowhegan senior forward/center Collin LePage during a Class A North semifinal game in Augusta. Skowhegan reached the final with a 54-34 victory.
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BEN MCCANNA/PRESS HERALD
Oceanside
head coach Larry Reed talks to his team during a timeout late in the fourth quarter of the Class B South final against Yarmouth. Oceanside (20-1) reached the state title game with a 71-67 overtime win.
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At left, Skowhegan's Allie Frey and Cony's Abby Morrill (13) tip off the first quarterfinal gamea of the 2023 Maine Principals Association tournament in Augusta. At right, Seacoast Christian shooter Bri Cluff is stopped by Forest Hills defenders Peyton Chaisson (41) and Grace Allen during the Class D South semifinal.
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BEN MCCANNA/PRESS HERALD
Cross-bridge
rivals Portland and South Portland faced off in the Class AA boys' state championship game at Cross Insurance Arena. Boosted by their red-clad fans, the Red Riots repeated as champs.
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BEN MCCANNA/PRESS HERALD
Spruce
Mountain’s Olivia Mastine is consoled by coach Zach Keene after the Phoenix lost the Class B girls' state championship to Ellsworth in Portland. Spruce Mountain waged a furious comeback, scoring 23 points in the 4th quarter, but fell 57-56.
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BRIANNA SOUKUP/PRESS HERALD
Marshwood’s Michael Burbank and Falmouth’s Lucas Dilworth (1) and Eli Cowperthwaite all go after a loose ball during the Class A South title game at the Portland Expo. Falmouth got the win.
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RICH ABRAHAMSON/MORNING SENTINEL
North Yarmouth Academy’s Josie Harper-Cunningham, center, swings a teammate in the air while celebrating after the Panthers beat Hall-Dale during a Class C South semifinal in Augusta. No. 1 NYA lost to No. 2 Old Orchard Beach in the next round.
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MICHAEL G. SEAMANS/MORNING SENTINEL
Old Orchard Beach's Sarah Davis gains control of the ball against NYA's Grace
Bila in the first half of the Class C South final. The Seagulls stayed in control and won their first regional championship.
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JOE PHELAN/KENNEBEC JOURNAL
Brewer players celebrate with the Class A boys' gold ball trophy after a 42-41 win over Falmouth at the Augusta Civic Center. The 21-1 Witches were favored but needed a 4th-quarter comeback to claim their 1st ever title.
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