• BOYS

BOOTHBAY REGION (19-1) vs. PENQUIS VALLEY (19-1)

Bangor Auditorium, Saturday, 8:45 p.m

BOOTHBAY REGION STARTERS

Anthony DiMauro, G (16.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 6.3 apg)

John Hepburn, F (16.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.1 apg)

Linc Simmons, F (5.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.4 apg)

Andrew Hallinan, G (6.6 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.0 apg)

Evan Hepburn, F (5.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, .03 apg) 

KEYS FOR BOOTHBAY

The Seahawks want to push the pace. Boothbay struggles when opponents make it a half-court game. “We need to rebound and start the fast break,” said Coach I.J. Pinkham. The Seahawks will work to get good looks for DiMauro and Hepburn. Said Pinkham, a 42-year coaching veteran: “I didn’t begin the season anticipating we would be in this game.” But now, he said: “I don’t want to be the last guy to lose a game in the Bangor Auditorium.”

PENQUIS VALLEY STARTERS

Isaiah Bess, F (27.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 0.9 apg)

Trevor Lyford, G (17.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 4.0 apg)

Tyler Pelletier, G (4.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 6.0 apg)

Cody Herbest, F (5.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.7 apg)

Jason Durant, F (6.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 0.5 apg) 

KEYS FOR PENQUIS VALLEY

The Patriots will run if the situation warrants, but know that’s the type of game Boothbay likes. So Penquis Valley will look to be patient and play a half-court game. The Patriots like to play man-to-man. The lower scoring game for Penquis, the better. In the Eastern Maine tournament, it held opponents to 23 points twice and 41 in the final against Houlton. 

– Tom Chard

• GIRLS

WAYNFLETE (19-3) vs. CALAIS (21-0)

Bangor Auditorium, Saturday, 7 p.m.

WAYNFLETE STARTERS

Martha Veroneau, G (20.9 ppg, 5.0 spg, 3.6 apg)

Rhiannan Jackson, G/F (8.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg)

Leigh Fernandez, G (7.4 ppg., 3.3 apg)

Juliana Harwood, F (8.0 ppg, 6.4 rpg);

Catherine Veroneau, F (3.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg., 1.2 spg) 

KEYS FOR WAYNFLETE

Especially with the availability of Harwood (knee injury in West final) still in question as of Wednesday — “We’re preparing to play without her,” Coach Brandon Salway said — Waynflete must focus on defensive rebounding. Waynflete wants to force tempo, create turnovers and generate scoring sprees, something it accomplished in each West region game. Martha Veroneau has shown she has the know-how and skill to create her own offense. Waynflete will need productive offensive games from Jackson and at least one other starter. If Harwood is unable to play, 5-3 sophomore guard Helen Gray-Bauer will start and the Flyers will need Catherine Veroneau and Jackson to control the post on defense.

CALAIS STARTERS

Maddy McVicar, G (16.0 ppg)

Meagan Cavanaugh, G (10.1 ppg)

Olivia Smith, G (8.5 ppg)

Paige Gillespie, C (10.5 ppg)

Taylorae Carter, F (5.0 ppg) 

KEYS FOR CALAIS

Blue Devils Coach Dana Redding said his team must limit turnovers against Waynflete’s full-court pressure and extended 2-3 zone. Calais will try to keep the ball in the middle of the court and in McVicar’s hands. McVicar is an excellent ball handler and a tough-minded team leader who likes to penetrate to the basket. She’ll also get first crack at trying to slow down Veroneau (25.8 points per game in the tournament). If the 5-11 Gillespie is getting inside touches, both in the half court and at the back end of the press break, it is a good sign for Calais. Calais needs to stay close early and let its expected larger fan base become a factor. 

– Steve Craig