Going for gold

AUGUSTA -- The Dirigo boys' basketball team hope the third time will be the charm this Saturday when they play for the gold ball in the Bangor Auditorium.

The 19-2 Cougars defeated Boothday by 53-48 Saturday in the Augusta Civic Center for their third straight Western C regional title.

Dirigo raced out to 21-8 lead after the opening eight minutes of play, then held on thanks in part to good free throw shooting, hitting 18 on 24 opportunities.

Dirigo becomes the first school since Falmouth to win three consecutive Western C titles, who won four straight from 1996 to '99.

The Cougars have accomplished this with three different coaches -- Gavin Kane, Dave Gerrish, and now Rebecca Fletcher, the conference co-coach of the year who is the first woman to lead a boys' team to a championship in any class.

Because of snowouts Friday and Monday, the Cougars had to wait until last night's Sumner-Lee Academy contest to learn who stands in their way for the gold ball. Dirigo has lost to Calais and Washington Academy in its last two tries.

Going for gold Photo:

GOING TO STATES -- Dirigo senior Arik Fenstermacher waves the net in jubilation to Cougar fans as his excited teammate cheer below just minutes as their team hung on to defeat Boothbay to win their third straight Western C title. They will play the winner of last night's Sumner-Lee Academy contest this Saturday at 8:45 p.m. at the Bangor Auditorium. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)