The Ellsworth Girls Basketball Team made history on Tuesday, March 7th beating Spruce Mountain 57-56 for their 1st Gold Ball in school history. I had the privilege of riding down and back with the team and cheerleaders, and let me share the day with you.

I had heard that the girls were being surprised on Monday afternoon with the word that they would be traveling to Portland on a motorcoach rather than a yellow school bus. Even I wasn't expecting a luxury Mercedes-Benz motorcoach pulling into Holden to pick me up at 11:20 a.m.

The Luxury Motorcoach March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
The Luxury Motorcoach March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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The bus was festivally decorated for our journey to Portland!

We made it down there in record time, and the cheerleaders went to the Maine Mall! I mean they're the State Champs and a little shopping never hurt anyone, besides their bank accounts!

Meanwhile the Team had an opportunity to shoot around at the Portland Expo!

March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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Of course there was the obligatory team photo.

While we were waiting for the Eagles to take the court, the Maine Celtics were practicing!

March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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Finally it was the Girl's turn to take the Expo floor. They were loose and ready after their hour shoot-around.

They then went to dinner at Amato's, and then it was game-time.

March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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The first Half couldn't have been scripted any better for the Eagles. They jumped out to a 9-0 lead, and led 19-6 at the end of the 1st Quarter, as Abby Radel scored 11 points for the Eagles. Ellsworth was up 32-15 at the end of the 1st Half, outscoring the Phoenix 13-9 in the 2nd Quarter.

After a quick run, Ellsworth led by as many as 21, but Spruce Mountain started to find the basket, and outscored Ellsworth in the 3rd Quarter 18-16, to cut Ellsworth's lead to 15, 48-33.

The Phoenix didn't stop. Led by Olivia Mastine with 9 points in the 4th and Jaydn Pingree with 9 points, including going 7-8 from the free throw line, Spruce Mountain took the lead 55-54 with 1:48 left in the 4th Quarter.

But the Eagles were a team of destiny. Addison Atherton drained a runner from the foul line with 1:06 left, and Megan Jordan sank a free throw with 39 seconds left to give Ellsworth a 57-56 lead.

Addison Atheriton being congratulated after her shot in the waning seconds of the game March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
Addison Atherton being congratulated after her shot in the waning seconds of the game March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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Megan Jordan making the clutch free throw March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
Megan Jordan making the clutch free throw March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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The Phoenix had an opportunity to tie or win the game but were not able to get the shot off and the Eagles won their 1st ever gold ball!

And that set off bedlam!

March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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There was the cutting down of the nets, and the photos of the team and the presentation of the Gold Ball, which was almost as tall as Abby Radel!

Ellsworth Girls Gold Ball March 7, 2023
Ellsworth Girls Gold Ball March 7, 2023
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Here's the video of the gold ball presentation and the awarding of the championship medals!

While the Girls were TV stars, it was a chance for Coach Pooler to take a deep breath! He'd come along way winning the Gold Ball after his 1st year's team went 3-13!

March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
March 7, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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And it was especially significant for Trinity Montigny to be there! Now a junior at Husson University, she's Ellsworth's last girl 1000 point scorer and she played with senior Morgan Clifford. The sophomores and freshman watched Trinity's games and wanted to be like her! And now they have inspired the next generation!

Trinity Montigny and Morgan Clifford March 8, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
Trinity Montigny and Morgan Clifford March 8, 2023 Photo Chris Popper
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Ellsworth residents can be excused if they thought there was a 12-alarm fire at around 11:30 but it was just the motorcade welcoming the State Champions home!

Here are the stats from the game

Line Score

1234T
EHS Girls 2022-23191316957
Spruce Mountain Girls69182356

 

Box Score

Ellsworth

NamePTS2PM3PMFTMFTA
Abby Radel174234
Kaylee Bagley0----
Elise Sargent0----
Megan Jordan73-11
Morgan Clifford6-2--
Aaliyah Manning0----
Addison Atherton42---
Elizabeth Boles721-4
Lily Bean62-22
Grace Jaffray104-22
Savannah Edgecomb0----
TEAM0----
TOTALS57175813

Spruce Mountain

NamePTS2PM3PMFTMFTA
Grace Cuthbertson0----
Emily Dubord0----
Mary Hamblin0----
Avery Bessey3-1--
Miley Fournier0----
Mariyah Fournier21---
Elizabeth Grondin0----
Aubrey Kachnovich104-23
Madyson Cordes0----
Riley Small0----
Olivia Mastine205244
Jaydn Pingree164-810
Lanie Walton0----
Jazmine Pingree52-11
TEAM0----
TOTALS561631518

Check out more photos from the game

Ellsworth-Spruce Mountain Gold Ball Game

The Ellsworth Eagles beat the Spruce Mountain Phoenix for the Gold Ball at the Portland Expo on Tuesday, March 7, 2023

 

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