AUGUSTA — Throughout the 2018/19 high school basketball season, the Pine Tree Academy boys basketball team struggled with inexperience and the low number of players dressed game-in and game-out.

Still, the Breakers managed five wins and a spot in Monday’s Class D South quarterfinals at the Augusta Civic Center against Temple Academy of Waterville.

Seventh-seeded Pine Tree had a 15-14 lead early in the second quarter after junior Chris Amisi drained a long 3-pointer, giving him 11 early points.

But, No. 2 Temple showed its experience and poise, using a 19-0 second-quarter run to take control for a 63-44 victory.

The Bereans (14-5) will face No. 3 Valley on Wednesday in the semifinals, while the Breakers saw their season end with a 5-14 record.

“That was exciting. They were playing hard, but then we started turning the ball over,” said PTA coach Trevor Schlisner. “We have a fairly young team, so to get to the seven seed and get to the tournament, I couldn’t be more proud.”

The Breakers recovered from an early 8-5 deficit as Amisi scored eight first-quarter points to bring Pine Tree to within two, 14-12 after eight minutes.

However, the Bereans had a second-quarter answer, as Ilija Ivkovic and Nicholas Blaisdell took over. After tallying seven points in the first, Ivkovic added five more points, while Blaisdell’s eight points in the second jump-started Temple, which led 35-19 at the half.

Amisi had a game-high 13 points in the first half by either driving to the basket or pulling up for a long trey.

“We had nothing to lose today. We came out and played hard,” said Amisi, who discussed the difficulties of playing with a short bench, with Breakers only dressing six players on Monday. “It is hard to play with a short bench, but we learned how to play that way and we did well. We never know year to year who will be here, so hopefully our young guys gained some experience.”

“Chris is one of the most talented players, but it is easy to defend him when we’re not sharing the ball,” said Schlisner after his team committed 17 first-half turnovers.

Bereans run

Any hope of a Pine Tree Academy comeback faded away quickly in the third quarter, as Temple’s Nathan Riportella hit a 3-pointer, then dashed inside for two more points for a 40-19 Berean lead. Ivkovic managed eight of his 22 points in the third, while Amisi tallied all seven for the Breakers, who trailed 52-26 heading to the fourth.

Pine Tree finally found scoring from others in the fourth, as Jobet Tardiff and Grant Milano each put in six points as the Breakers outscored the Bereans, 18-11, for a strong finish.

“I was trying to get the win, but most of all to get my teammates to have fun,” said Amisi, who finished with a game-high 24 points and added 10 rebounds and two blocked shots. “I am proud of my team. I am glad that I have the teammates that I have now.”

Blaisdell added 10 points, eight boards and four blocked shots for Temple Academy, with Riportella chipping in seven points.

Tardif and Milano finished with eight points apiece for the Breakers, who made 20-of-59 of their shots from the field. Temple was 29-of-57.

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