The Wiscasset Wolverines are heading to Augusta Saturday, Feb. 17 to compete in the Maine Principals’ Association Class D South Boys’ basketball tournament. This is Wiscasset’s first season in Class D, and change has benefited the basketball program. Wiscasset enters the tournament as the fifth seed and draws No. 4 Buckfield/Gould Academy Bucks in the quarterfinals. Tip-off is at noon at the Augusta Civic Center.

For junior captain Jevar Garricks, playing in the southern Maine basketball tournament makes all the wind sprints, suicides and long practices worthwhile. “It’s a very exciting time. We’ve gone there to watch, but never to play in the tournament. It’s a big thrill,” he said. 

The teams are familiar foes having played twice this season. On Dec. 28, Wiscasset took the first game at home, 54-46, which was a tightly contested game. Wiscasset prevailed with outstanding team defense and strong free throw shooting. In the rematch, Buckfield/Gould turned the tide with a Jan. 27 home victory, 46-36. The Bucks earned a key victory by outworking the Wolverines.

“Both games were very competitive,” Coach Jamey Roy said. “In Buckfield, they simply outworked us and outrebounded us. They beat us pretty badly on the board and we shot three for 18 foul shots.”

This is Roy’s first-year as the varsity head coach. He previously coached a decade ago in the middle school and junior varsity programs. When the boys’ team needed a coach, Roy was a familiar name in local basketball circles. “They needed a coach, and they asked me to come back,” he said. Roy coached the junior varsity team last season before rising to the top job.

For junior captain Alex Richard, Roy’s coaching has made all the difference. “I give a lot credit to the new coach, Coach Roy,” he said. “He’s put in a lot of work with us. He knows the game, and I’m really glad he’s here.”

Roy points the finger to his team’s dedication to basketball and classification change. This season, Wiscasset was eligible to move from Class C and Mountain Valley Conference to Class D and the East-West Conference schedule. “A big part of the success is the players,” he said. “When we began open gym in October, they put in the work and dedicated themselves to this season. Also, the move to Class D helped, too.”

As Round 3 between Wiscasset and Buckfield/Gould Academy approaches, Richard expects another tough contest. “I’m excited about the opportunity going up there to play and I hope we go far,” he said. “Buckfield is a really tough team. They play together and move the ball really fast.”