BRUNSWICK — It was possible that some fans attending Thursday’s Unified Basketball League game between the Brunswick Dragons and Poland Knights might have thought they were in a scene from a movie.
With one second left on the clock, Brunswick’s Jackson Gordon was fouled while putting up a shot with the game tied at 31 apiece. It was either overtime or win it at the line. Gordon became the hero, sinking one of a pair of free throws to help lead the Dragons to their fourth straight victory, 32-31.
“It was our second close one this season (42-40 win against Lisbon on Jan. 28),” Gordon said. “Everyone is getting better and it’s been really fun working with them.” “They played great,” Brunswick head coach Chris Baribeau said. “We have athletes and we have partners. Our partners scored one point, it being the difference maker in the game, but that’s how it should be. It’s a fun game, back and forth, it’s a lot of fun. As long as we can rebound, because a lot of shots go up, it’s always going to be close.”
However, it didn’t start out as a close game. The first quarter belonged to the Dragons as they compiled 12 points to the Knights’ three to start the game. It appeared that the Dragons were going to run away with it, but the Knights had a different plan. They limited Brunswick to just four points in the second quarter, while putting up 10 of their own after starting with a 6-0 run to bring the game within three, 16-13.
“This has been the best experience coaching-wise that I think I have ever had,” Poland head coach Danielle Hunt said. “I’ve done a ton of coaching, middle school, high school, varsity, I’ve been a referee for a while and hands down this is the best experience that I’ve had in basketball. The kids appreciate every second that they’re out on the floor and they just have fun, it’s a ton of fun.”
The second half was one that appeared to have everyone on the edge of their seats. The Knights continued to battle, bringing the game within one with 5:59 left in the third quarter, but the Dragons were still in command. However, with 4:41 remaining Knights’ Alec Burnell hit a shot that gave his team its first lead of the game, 19-18. It became a back-and-forth affair the remainder of the quarter, with the Dragons keeping their three-point lead at the buzzer, 26-23.
Lisbon 55, Edward Little 42
AUBURN — Jake Patnaude scored 14 points Brock Vachon added 13 and Robert Wood came up with 10, leading Lisbon to a 55-42 victory over Edward Little in a Unified Basketball game Thursday.
Amanda Mason, Richie Thuotte, Nathan Havlicek and Tanton Mattson stood out on defense for Lisbon.
For EL, Chet Barnard scored 11 points, Noah Sterling had 10 and Andrea Crawford dropped in four points. Brandon Paradie scored six points. Tyler Libby and Shammond Thomas played great defense.
Lewiston 27, Oxford Hills 22
OXFORD — Connor Jewitt scored 13 points, leading Lewiston to a 27-22 win over Oxford Hills on Thursday.
For Oxford Hills, Matt Smith scored 10 points and Justin Dumas dropped in four.
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