Tyrese Collins, one of the captains for A.R. Gould, is comforted by his mother, Susan Collins of South Portland, after a loss to Greenville in the Class D South boys' basketball final Saturday in Augusta. "Basketball gives him so much self-confidence," she said. "It just makes him shine." (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)

Malaki Brimage of A.R. Gould takes the court. The Bears, who never played together until 11 days before the season, finished 17-4. (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)

Ibe Mokeme of Portland and Keegan Gaouette of Biddeford cheer on A.R. Gould early on in the Class D South boys regional championship game Saturday. (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)

Assistant coach Aaron Beaulieu of A.R. Gould talks with center Gage Barton. The success of the team has helped unify the facility. (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)

Tyrese Collins of A.R. Gould gives his 2-year-old son, Liam, a kiss on the cheek following the Class D South championship game Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center. A.R. Gould's runner-up plaque is the team's first trophy. (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)

Tyrese Collins looks on in disbelief as he receives a technical foul in the first half of Saturday's game. (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)

The Bears enjoyed the support of a lot of enthusiastic fans at Saturday's game. (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)

Coaches Chad Sturgis and Aaron Beaulieu fire up A.R. Gould before the start of the game. (Gabe Souza/Staff Photographer)