Cougars Had a Great Deal of Success

by Bob McPhee
     
     DIXFIELD - There has been a great deal of success by the Dirigo boys' basketball team, who won its second straight regional championship before defeating Washington Academy in the Class C state championship game.
     The current players have been fully aware of the programs history every time they glance at the blue banners hanging on the wall at Defoe Gymnasium. That’s because nearly three decades ago the Cougars earned well-deserved accolades after winning back-to-back state basketball championships. There is a strong connection between the past and present in this small River Valley community.
     Current assistant coach Jamie Robinson was a player on both teams and fondly recalled the moments and details surrounding each event. It’s almost impossible to discuss the program without mentioning what transpired back then.
     In 1982, Dirigo beat Katadin 54-47 at the Augusta Civic Center and in 1983 beat Katadin 68-66 at the ‘Mecca’ Bangor Auditorium.
     “This year, teams are so much more athletic, and faster,” said Robinson when pondering similarities. “Both teams have excellent head coaches (Robin Marshall and Dave Gerrish).”
     Marshall, who teaches mathematics at Dirigo, was well known for being able to bring out the best in each player. The staff included Bruce Nichols (now assistant coach at Edward Little), Peter Murray (head coach at Dexter), Kip Fletcher and the late Dennis “Brownie” Brown.
     The mainstays then included 6-2 Wayne Clark, Jay Blaisdell, Brad Plourde, 6-2 Don Hebert, John Knowles, 6-5 Bob Leavitt, Robinson and Doug Clark. Leavitt and Clark were each MacDonald All Stars.
     Reaching the state games proved to be a feat: In '82, Dirigo beat #1 Jay, who was undefeated in the semifinals. Jay had beaten the Cougars by double figures in both regular season games. In '83, Dirigo beat Jay in the finals in overtime, with four starters fouled out.
     “(Point guard) Doug Clark could have scored 25-plus in games,” said Robinson, regarding the Converse All American who was the Cougars lone 1,000 career points scorer until Tom Knight surpassed the plateau last season. “But (Doug) made everyone so much better and was very unselfish.”
     The '83 Team had sophomore Scott Holmes, and this year's team has his son sophomore Ben Holmes.
     Tyler Chiasson had a tremendous season and is not only scoring and rebounding but has just been outstanding as a point guard.
     “Tyler has truly made everyone else better,” said Robinson. “This and the '83 team were truly unselfish. Both teams share the ball very well. 2010 group is truly about each other.”