CAPE ELIZABETH – Three years go, when Cape Elizabeth played Maranacook for the Class B state basketball title, Cam Brown was in uniform as a freshman but didn’t play.
Classmates Theo Bowe and Joey Doane were also on the bench but in street clothes.
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Coach Jim Ray wanted Bowe, Brown and Doane to experience the atmosphere of a state championship game, feeling by the time they were seniors, it would pay off.
It has.
Cape Elizabeth (17-4) emerged as the Western Class B champion in what was viewed as a wide-open tournament and will play Camden Hills (21-0) tonight for the state title at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
As players or as observers on the bench, Bowe, Brown and Doane will take part in their seventh title game (four regional finals, three state finals). They have used that experience and passed their knowledge on to their teammates to get Cape to this point. Their familiarity with each other is a major reason for the team’s success.
“Just being in that environment helps with experience,” said Brown. “Everything about it helps.”
Cape didn’t start out on a beeline for the state championship. There were bumps in the regular season.
“We had some struggles at the beginning of the year,” said Bowe. “The loss to Yarmouth showed the team’s overall inexperience, but the win over Greely showed the underclassmen that they can play at this level.
“Even in the tough losses, we came together as a team.”
The Capers were blown out at Yarmouth early in the season and lost twice to York, but learned and improved. Cape beat York in the regional semifinals, then beat Yarmouth in the final.
“Our experience playing at the Civic Center helped us a lot,” said Brown. “We know how to shoot there.”
Kyle Danielson, the other senior starter, and sophomore Henry Babcock, the fifth starter, have complemented Bowe, Brown and Doane, along with sophomore reserve Chris Robicheaw.
The three veterans have been playing together since the sixth grade. Bowe moved to Cape Elizabeth in the fourth grade but didn’t play basketball in the fifth grade.
“I thought I might play hockey,” said Bowe.
Brown and Doane have been involved in basketball since the first grade.
All three have grown accustomed to each other’s moves on the court.
“I always know where they are in transition,” said Brown, the point guard. “Basically we have four guards on the floor. We can all shoot the 3-pointer.”
Cape’s success in basketball is a product of a strong feeder system, coaching and parental support.
“I believe it starts in the lower grades,” said Doane. “I went to Saturday morning youth clinics from first through sixth grades. Coach (Jim) Ray has done a great job. He’s always studying film and finding ways to make us better.”
The players get strong support at home, at school and in the community. The Capers have a vocal student cheering section at games.
“There’s always a big group at the snack bar after home games wanting to talk about the game,” said Doane.
Facing a tall team or going against an undefeated one in the state final is nothing new for Cape.
Maranacook was unbeaten in 2008, as was Camden Hills in 2009. And York and Greely are tall and can shoot the 3, just like Camden Hills.
“We have to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” said Doane. “Play solid defense, beat their pressure and hit open shots. We should be all right.”
Brown said it’s important that Cape be patient on offense.
“We don’t want to force anything,” he said.
Bowe, the Western Maine Conference’s leading scorer at 25 points per game, has learned it’s important not to get caught up in the hype of a state final. There will be plenty of time for that if Cape wins.
“It’s a great situation to be in,” said Bowe. “But it’s still basketball. You go out and play like in every other game.”
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
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