Dexter outlasts Hall-Dale to win Class C girls basketball state crown
By Pete Warner, Special to the Bangor Daily News
AUGUSTA – There’s an unbreakable bond that is forged among the members of a high school basketball team.
Through summer ball, grueling practices and long, challenging seasons, success can only be achieved when the team members commit themselves to each other.
It’s a lesson that coach Jody Grant preaches to his players on a daily basis. On Saturday night, March 3 the Dexter Regional High School Tigers rewarded their coach, their community, and themselves with the ultimate reward.
STATE CHAMPS! — Dexter girls run over to the fans to celebrate their victory in the Class C state championship game at the Augusta Civic Center Saturday evening, March 2. The Tigers defeated Hall-Dale 48-41 to claim the program’s first gold ball since 2006.
Dexter’s five starters executed their individual roles effectively and demonstrated their commitment to the team while beating Hall-Dale of Farmingdale 48-41 to win the Class C girls basketball state championship at the Augusta Civic Center.
“The key to the team is, we love each other,” said Dexter senior center Mazie Peach. “We don’t always agree and we’ll go back and forth, but when it comes down to it, we are together and that helps our defense and execution.”
The Tigers (21-1), who lost to Old Orchard Beach in the 2023 title contest, played gritty defense, rebounded hard and remained patient down the stretch as they fended off the Bulldogs (20-2), coached by Laurie Rowe.
Dexter converted 10 of its 14 fourth-quarter free throws to hold off a determined Hall-Dale squad that could not consistently find its offensive rhythm.
THROUGH THE MIDDLE — Hannah Dean of Dexter splits two Hall-Dale defenders and goes up for a hard fought layup during the Class C basketball game in Augusta on Saturday night. Dean scored 12 points and picked up nine rebounds.
“We try to care about each other more than yourself,” Grant said, “and for that to be rewarded tonight is a tremendous tip of the cap to the 14 kids that are in that locker room. I couldn’t be any happier for them.”
Peach paced the Tigers with 13 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots. Junior guard Cally Gudroe (2 assists) tossed in 15 points, senior forward Hannah Dean contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, and junior guard Abby Corson (2 assists, 1 steal) provided eight points and heady play at the point.
Junior Jade Graham paced Hall-Dale with 17 points and six rebounds, while senior Hayden Madore (2 assists) posted nine points and classmate A.J. Greenhalgh added seven points and two steals.
Dexter had the perfect formula to beat the Bulldogs and win the program’s first state title since 2006.
It began with tenacious player-to-player defense, led on the perimeter by Gudroe, Corson and sophomore Desiree Adams, with Peach and Dean protecting the basket.
GIVE IT A TWIRL — Cally Gudroe of Dexter waves the net in celebration after their victory over the Hall-Dale Bulldogs on Saturday, March 2 in the Class C championship. Gudroe scored a team-high 15 points.
“It’s whatever we need you to do to help us be better,” Grant said of his players’ unselfishness.
It included determined rebounding, where the Tigers grabbed a 35-23 advantage, behind Peach and Dean. Dexter also possessed poise in the face of Hall-Dale’s pressure, thanks in great part to the unflappable point guard play of Corson.
The Tigers stayed calm, even while committing 16 turnovers, and remained focused on methodically running their offense with Corson, Gudroe and Adams helping to facilitate. That led to numerous trips to the foul line, where Dexter went 19-for-24 overall and hit 10 of 14 in the pivotal fourth quarter.
“It’s the determination. It’s the grit,” Gudroe said of Dexter’s winning approach. “It’s how we communicate and play together through the tough times.”
OFF THE COURT — Two Dexter Tigers pick up their coach Jody Grant in celebration of the win immediately following the state championship game victory over Hall-Dale for the Class C gold ball.
The Tigers grabbed the lead for good with a 7-0 surge that included an 18-footer and a 3-pointer, both off Corson assists. Corson’s drive to the basket made it 20-15 in the second quarter.
Hall-Dale later rallied to tie the game at 30 on a Graham 3 and Madore’s fast-break layup, but Dexter answered with a 7-1 run before taking advantage from the foul line down the stretch.
Peach, who watched as her sister Megan lost her final game at Dexter in the 2017 state championship, wanted to go out on top.
“I wanted to win my last game, so it’s just really nice to end your career like this,” she said.
The state championship is the third in program history, joining the 2006 and 2004 gold balls. Dexter also reached the Class C championship in 2005, 2007, 2017, and 2023.
Team members are seniors Lily Bagley, Lily Brown, Hannah Dean, Cally Gudroe, and Mazie Peach; juniors Mariyah Castigliego, Carly Coffman, Lillian Cooley, and Abilene Corson; sophomores Desiree Adams, Peyton Dodge, Annabelle Peakes, and Kalie Stone; coaches Mark Melvin and Frank Reynolds; and head coach Jody Grant.