The Phillips Raiders completed their 2017/18 basketball season with playoff games last week and the 2018 North Franklin County League (NFCL) Middle School Championship Games at Mt. Abram Regional High School last Saturday evening.

Lady Raiders, coached by Jeff Seaberg, were eliminated by Rangeley in semi-final action Thursday. The Rangeley Lakers went on to defeat the Kingfield Wildcats in tournament play over the weekend.

The boys’ team, coached by Dustin Zamboni, defeated Rangeley and moved on to the finals where they faced off with the Strong Indians for the second year in a row. Unfortunately for the Raiders, the outcome was not the same as last year. Strong maintained a solid lead throughout the game to claim this year’s title.

Saturday evening’s event also included the Foul Shooting and Hot Shot competitions amongst the five schools that compete in the NFCL. Foul shooters were Olivia Roderick (a former Raider) and Payton Mitchell, representing Kingfield; Daisy Gusler and Hayden Durrell, Phillips; Lexi Bachelder and Cameron Gray, Rangeley; June Clark and Zack Forrest-Woodman, Rangeley; and Emily Marden and Adam Luce, Strong. This year’s top foul shooters were Olivia Roderick and Payton Mitchell, both from Kingfield.

In the Hot Shot Competition Kingfield was represented by Abi Wilcox and Trevor Phelps; Phillips by Michaela Morgan and Wyatt Siemenski, Rangeley by Summer VanBuren and Trevor Dolbier; Stratton by Justice Whiting and Travis Raymond; and Strong by Brynna Zelie and Kaden Pillsbury. Each hoopster had 60 seconds to hit as many shots as possible from designated spots around the free-throw lane. After three shoot-outs between Michaela Morgan and Justice Whiting, Whiting claimed this championship for the girls. The boys’ champ was Trevor Dolbier.

The NFCL contests ended hoop play under the dome for the current season. During the week prior to the middle level championships, Roadrunners’ teams celebrated their last home games with varsity team Senior Nights. The girls hosted Boothbay on Friday, February 1. Five minutes before game time, the clock was stopped and Athletic Director Christina Brackley took a few moments to thank the faithful fans, friends, and families for their “tremendous support” of the teams through another season.

“Tonight,” she continued, “We will take the opportunity to honor the Seniors and their parents…These two young ladies have worked hard during their time at Mt. Abram and their families have given them amazing support and have been great supporters of Mt. Abram basketball.”

Megan Sorel, daughter of Tim and Bridget Sorel, and Lindsay Huff, daughter of Gordon and Peggy Huff were introduced. As the crowd cheered and applauded, the girls were joined at center court by their parents to whom they presented bouquets of flowers.

About a week later, the boys’ Seniors were recognized with a similar ceremony.

Once again, AD Tina Brackley took the mike just before tip off of the Abram/Wiscasset boys’ varsity game.

“Our Seniors will be missed,” she said, “We thank their parents for all their support and for truly helping their players to become who they are off and on the court.”

Then she introduced Dawson Bate, the son of Chris and Colleen Bate; Sam Storer, son of Lance and Helen Storer; Casey Holt, son of Dan and Jeanette Holt; and Evan Mackay, son of Sean and Denise Mackay.

Phillips Raiders: back row: Coach Dustin Zamboni, Cayden Hinkley, Wyatt Siemenski, Hayden Durrell; middle: Donnovan Bell, Spencer Fortenbacker, Lachlan Marble, Braden Allen, Dylan Thorne; front: Evan Allen, Bear Rollins, Carter Butterfield. (Paula Roy Kane photo)

Lady Raiders: back row: Haley Bate, Coach Jeff Seaberg, Brooklyn Fitzpatrick; middle: Kaydence Dunn, Michelle Seaberg, Jaiden Bachelder, Genesis Mitchell; front: Michaela Morgan, Madison Contreras, Daisy Gusler, Jordan Morgan, Hannah Cox, Josey Arms, Charlotte Mitchell. (Paula Roy Kane photo)

Phillips Raiders, surrounded by fans, wait to take the court for tournament action under the dome at Mt. Abram Saturday night. (Paula Roy Kane photo)

Raiders pre-game huddle. (Paula Roy Kane photo)