Ball Don't Lie

As expected, Hampden was without Zach McLaughlin, which certainly changed the dynamic of the Game of the Day. Losing one of the best players in the state is a big loss.

But how big is it? Because Messalonskee absolutely smoked Hampden, 72-39, to make a statement that they are a force to be reckoned with in the A North tournament.

Boys basketball: Messalonskee snaps Hampden Academy’s 12-game win streak in blowout

Eagles take advantage of Broncos missing top player Zach McLaughlin.

Kennebec Journal and Morning SentinelMike MandellKennebec Journal/Morning Sentinel

Merrick Smith led Messo with 23 points and 16 rebounds

Staying in A North, let's go to Farmington, where it is Youth Night.

This is very cool.

But let's jump to the 4th quarter, where Camden is clinging to a 1-point lead against Mount Blue thanks to a Will Duke 3-pointer shortly after a timeout. He finished with 36.

Facebook Live doesn't let you jump to a time, so you're going to want to go to 1:17:40.

Mt. Blue TV does a great job. I have one quibble: show us the clock!

Anyway, after the 3, Duke then gets a rebound on the next possession and Camden starts to run out the clock. Mt. Blue traps, Camden calls a timeout, and then it gets messy.

We're about to put the ball back in play when the home scorekeeper calls the refs over to the table, as the home book and the scoreboard are in disagreement. It's 57-56 at this point and we had a timeout at 56-54. There was only one scoring event in the interim: the Will Duke 3. But we have a discrepancy.

By rule, the home book is the book of record (unless the officials believe it is wrong) and that has the score tied at 56. Thanks to some forensic research last night by Camden, we know that the score was, in fact, 57-56. Camden is understandably upset.

So instead of Camden being up 1, the score is tied. That changes a lot!

No one scores in the rest of regulation (which is chaotic) and we go to overtime, even though the game should be over.

But to quote the great philosopher Rasheed Wallace, "Ball don't lie."

Camden pulls away in overtime, but that could have been a lot worse. Mount Blue drops to 13-2 and with Messalonskee's big win, the door opens a little wider for Hampden (yes, Hampden) to potentially get the 1 seed. Evans Sterling led them with 29.

I have no actual authority, but I believe it is time to declare A North wide-open.

Speaking of wide-open, B South got a little messier last night as Yarmouth went in and beat York by 15 on the road.

After starting year 1-5 with those overtime losses, they've won 9 of their last 11, with the two losses coming to GNG. And they almost beat GNG on the road.

They've climbed to 5th in the Heal Points and are approaching "team you don't want in the quarterfinals" status.

Further south, Scarborough fended off a furious rally from Deering.

Michael Hoffer was there with the game story.

Boys’ basketball: Scarborough turns back challenge from Deering

The Red Storm build a lead with good outside shooting, then hold on for a 61-60 win.

Press HeraldMICHAEL HOFFERThe Forecaster

I think that's going to more or less settle the quarterfinal matchups in AA South, baring something weird happening.

Elsewhere...

Gabe Hagar had 22 as Lincoln Academy blew out Belfast. He's now 11 from 1,000...Richmond's Izzy Stewart dropped 27 on North Haven...The NYA girls turned a 3-point game into a rout with a 24-3 fourth quarter...Logan Zoulamis had 22 as Richmond blew out North Haven...Sammy Calder had 25 points and an assist on the game-winner as Monmouth beat Valley by 1 in the final seconds...Zach Kristan's 21 & 10 led Gardiner over Brewer...Peyton Reckards dropped 24 on Vinalhaven.

Here's a nice half-court shot.

Let's head down to AA South.

All the way back on Opening Night, the South Portland girls got a 2-point win over Gorham, 33-31. They then proceeded to lose their next 3, opening the door for the Rams to take control in the Heal Points.

Since then, they've won 12 straight.

After starting 2-2, Gorham has won 11 straight and sits atop the Heal Points.

This is pretty simple. The Tourney Odds have Gorham as a favorite to get the 1 seed, but if SoPo can win out, it'll be theirs.

The Model's picks for the rest of today's games are after the jump.