By The Beacon Sports Staff

After 2 years of being hosted by Central Maine Community College and New Hampshire Technical Institute, the YSCC Elite 8 post-season tournament returned to the Hutchinson Gymnasium here on the SMCC campus. Women and men teams representing 9 different schools participated in the tournament, which is also billed as the Road to Uniontown where the USCAA National Finals are held.

Over the course of 4 days, 14 games were played with the women’s quarter-final games starting Thursday afternoon and the men’s quarter-finals starting Friday.   

Central Maine Community College women and men’s teams entered the tournament seeded first with SMCC seeded 2 in both the women and men’s brackets. A highly anticipated final of SMCC squaring off against CMCC never materialized as the Lady Seawolves fell to University of Maine-Augusta in the semi-final game and the Men Seawolves were defeated by St. Joseph’s of Vermont also in the semi-finals.

CMCC women’s team, which was ranked number 1 in national polls heading into the tournament, defeated Unity College (87-53), Vermont Tech (107-60) and University of Maine Augusta (100-48) earning the right to play in the nationals.

Whereas the Lady Mustangs rolled to easy victories over their competition, the Men Mustang’s journey was one that tested them as they earned hard fought victories against Vermont Tech (93-77), University of Maine-Machias (102-95) and St. Joseph’s of Vermont (90-69).  

CMCC men’s team, which plays a high intensity defensive game and pushes the ball up court using a quick paced offensive, had the battle of the tournament against University of Maine-Machias. At times the play under the basket was down right dirty as CMCC’s players liberally fouled the Machias players. For the duration of the game the Machias players never backed down from the rough play that CMCC capitalizes on.

Contrary to the level and intensity of the competition exhibited on the court, the YSCC Elite Eight Basketball Banquet, which was held Friday morning before the men’s quarter-finals, saw all of the teams gather at the Hilton By the Bay, to honor the players who were voted First and Second Team All-Conference, as well as Players of the Year, Team Sportsman of the Year and Coaches of the year.

Again CMCC was ultra-present throughout the awards ceremony as the Men’s Head Coach Dave Gonyea was named Coach of the Year who also won his 400th game earlier this season. CMCC Junior Luis Medina and Sophomore Susie French each received the league’s highest honor as being named player of the year. CMCC women and men’s basketball teams were also recognized as the YSCC regular season champions.

Other honors went to SMCC’s women’s head Coach Julia Howe was honored as coach of the year. Julia lead the Lady Seawolves to a 19-8 record in her first year as head coach. Unity College brought home Team Sportsman of the Year Award.

Complete first and second team roasters, as well as photos from the banquet can be found on the YSCC web site.

The Beacon Sports Staff would also like to congratulate Arreonte Lee from University of Maine-Augusta who joined the 1,000pt club in the semi-final game against SMCC. Arreonte and her fellow Lady Moose will travel to Uniontown and participate in the finals as they received an at-large invite to the tournament.  

All in all, the YSCC and the SMCC Athletic Department should have a solid sense of pride for putting together an action packed event and wonderful 4 days of basketball. One does have to wonder though, considering the level of competition and play that was on display throughout the tournament, why absence of any major media coverage? Regardless, the YSCC Elite 8 tournament will be returning to SMCC after stops at CMCC and NHTI. Basketball enthusiast from the greater Portland area have much to look forward to.