That is when Greyhound Brock Vachon made it official, hitting back-to-back banking 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter in Lisbon’s 44-24 win over third-seeded Deering/Portland.
Lisbon (12-0) will face Hampden Academy in a rematch of last year’s State championship on its new home court on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Broncos won last year on a last second basket at Lewiston.
Holding a 26-14 lead heading to the fourth quarter, Vachon, who led all scorers with 14 points, brought the Greyhound faithful to their feet with his treys that gave the hosts a 32-14 edge.
Vachon also hit a 3-pointer in the first half while being fouled. He calmly sank the free threw for the four-point play that gave the Hounds an 18-8 halftime lead.
“That was the spark that we needed,” said Lisbon coach Terri Tlumac of Vachon’s baskets. “Before the game, I asked him how he was feeling, and he said that he couldn’t make anything in warm-ups. I told him you will kill it in the game. And that is what happened.”
“I am not sure where they came from, but they felt good,” said Vachon of his fourth-quarter baskets. “This is so much fun. We all enjoy playing together and we all get along.”
Deering/Portland (7-5) hung tough in the opening half. After Lisbon claimed a 4-0 lead, Matthew Mikklesen went to work, picking up four points to tie the game.
The Greyhounds answered back, with Brandon Bartlett and Austin Fournier both scoring to give Lisbon an 8-4 lead after a quarter.
Again the visitors battled back, with Mikklesen, who had 10 points, and Christian Perez both scoring for an 8-8 contest.
It was all Lisbon after that. Vachon’s first points gave Lisbon the lead for good, and after a pair of baskets by Jake Patenaude, Vachon swished a 22-footer while being fouled, completing the 10-point Lisbon run.
Flat third
Lisbon started the second half slowly, with Deering/Portland going on a 6-2 run to close to 20-14. Samuel Garcia-Orellana put up points for the visitors during the run.
The Greyhounds received two points each from Patenaude, Tyler Halls, Wesley Lucas and Amanda Mason to claim a 26-14 edge through 24 minutes.
After Vachon’s shots made it an 18-point game, both teams looked to get the ball into the hands of other potential scorers. Fournier, who had six rebounds and four assists, set up Lucas for a pair and Patenaude and Dawson Martel for lay-ups, while Deering/Portland’s Joe Pelletier and Gianna Gaudet made passes to Jarod Santiago (four points), Malakai Green, Camden Ryan and Nathan Murray to close out the scoring.
“We do it for the kids, we are here for the kids,” said Fournier, who said he is excited to be at home on Thursday with the state title on the line. “It is awesome seeing those smiles. It is going to be sweet to be home on Thursday. This is the best. It is awesome working with these kids.”
“We are fortunate with the partners on this team. We have partners who understand the sport,” said Tlumac. “They feel success in themselves by helping those athletes find success. It is awesome for the kids, the community.
“Hopefully we will start a tradition of winning state championships in this gym on Thursday.”
Patenaude chipped in 12 points in the win, while Lucas finished with six. Halls had five rebounds, while Ryley Austin dished out four assists.
No. 1 Lisbon 44, No. 3 Deering/Portland 24
South Regional Final At Lisbon Falls
| Deer/ | Port | —4 | 4 | 6 | 10 | — | 24 |
| Lisbon | — | 8 | 10 | 8 | 18 | — | 44 |
Deer/Port — Matthew Mikklesen 5-0- 10, Christian Perez 1-0-2, Samuel Garcia-Orellana 1-0-2, Gianna Gaudet 0-0-0, Joe Pelletier 0-0-0, Isabel Stehli 0-0-0, Nate Hall 0-0-0, Malakai Green 1-0-2, Jimmy Dang 0-0-0, Erick Molina-Garcia 0-0-0, Camden Ryan 1-0-2, Jarod Santiago 2-0-4, Nathan Murray 1-0-2. Totals — 12-0- 24. Lisbon — Brock Vachon 5-1-14, Jake Patenaude 5-2-12, Brandon Bartlett 2-0-4, Austin Fournier 1-0-2, Nathan Havlicek 0-0-0, Dawson Martel 1-0-2, Tyler Halls 1-0-2, Devin Libby 0-0-0, Tanton Mattson 0-0-0, Wesley Lucas 3-0-6, Michael Farrington 0-0-0, Amanda Mason 1-0-2, Alyssa Judd 0- 0-0, Hannah Martel 0-0-0, Ryley Austin 0-0-0, Austin Smith 0-0-0, Totals — 19-3-44. 3-point field goals — (L) Brock Vachon 3. Records — Lisbon 12-0, Portland/Deering 7-5. Up next for the Greyhounds — Thursday at home against Hampden Academy in State Unified Championship game, 6 p.m.
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