AUGUSTA — Three years ago, Jonah Alexander played for a prep school in Newark, N.J., that he said drew “hostile crowds” at games. So when he stepped to the free-throw line Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center and a fan yelled at him, Alexander smiled and sank the free throw.

Alexander scored 16 points, and top-seeded Hyde advanced to the Western Class D boys’ basketball semifinals with a 60-40 win over No. 8 Buckfield.

The Phoenix (19-0) had brief stretches marred by turnovers and rushed plays, but settled down behind the cool direction of senior point guard Tyquan Ekejiuba and held no less than a 15-point lead through most of the last three quarters.

Hyde Coach Peter Rowe liked what he saw, saying his team displayed the values Hyde founder Joe Gauld wanted the school’s students to embody.

“Leadership, integrity, courage, curiosity and concern. That’s what I see in their spirit,” Rowe said. “They’re trying to learn about the game of basketball, and also about themselves.”

For Alexander, a 6-foot-3 senior forward who played on Hyde’s prep team last year, Saturday’s game was about learning to stay focused in a playoff atmosphere.

“Our team has struggled slowing it down. But after going 1-12 last year, this is new to a lot of people on the team. It’s a different atmosphere,” Alexander said.

As it was, the Phoenix had little trouble taking control early and dominating throughout.

Hyde raced out to a 13-2 lead in the first four minutes. Buckfield (8-12) then slowed the Phoenix briefly by forcing four turnovers, but Warsame Mohamed came off the bench to sink a jumper and Talin Rowe scored in the lane as Hyde led 20-9 at the end of the first quarter.

Buckfield never got any closer.

Austin Dooley led Buckfield with 19 points, but with Talin Rowe marking the 6-foot forward, he was just 8 for 23 from the floor.

Meanwhile, Alexander controlled the boards, and the Phoenix got offensive contributions from Wilson MacMillan (11 points) and Ekejiuba (10).

“Alexander is a warrior on the glass. He goes to work in the paint,” Rowe said. “He is thorough and relentless, pursuing the ball from all angles.”

Deirdre Fleming can be reached at 791-6452 or at:
dfleming@pressherald.com
Twitter: DeirdreFlemingPPH