Wolverines Win 71-70 at Buzzer

The Turkey is likely to taste just a little bit better for the thirteen Wolverines who managed to pull out a dramatic 71-70 victory over defending national champion Tilton (NH) at the National Prep Showcase (CT) Sunday afternoon. Dashaun Wiggins (Bronx, NY) had his halfcourt prayer answered when he swished home a 50 foot desperation heave following a missed free throw by Tilton. The dramatic shot completed a gutty comeback which saw BA erase a 13 point hole with less than ten minutes to play in the game. In fact, it was a game largely controlled by Tilton but taken over late by inspired defense and improved execution on the offensive end by Bridgton Academy. Tilton finished the first half with a pair of baskets to lead 30-26 at intermission. In the second half, the game remained close before Tilton built a double digit advantage setting the stage for the late game heroics that saw multiple contributions from BA players that shared plenty of action. In addition to Wiggins (24 points), Alexander Harris (Richmond, CA) played his best game of the year (24 points) to pace the offense. But Coach Lesure was quick to praise the contributions of several other players that did not stand out in the official stat sheet for the afternoon. Ron Blossomgame (Atlanta, GA) stepped up inside as did Jeff Schmelz (Pascoag, RI). Ruben Kanya (Hamilton, Ontario) was a defensive stopper, and Addison Williams (Boulder, CO) contributed his most significant minutes in the early season. "Like so many good wins, it was easy to point out the difference that so many individuals made by not hanging their heads", Lesure said. "Wiggins deserves alot of credit, but it was his defense and not his shot that ultimately gave us a chance..When we were behind (Derek) Mayo, (Kevin) Anthony, Schmelz, Kanya, and Harris gave us life" "We were on the other end of this last year (a Hargrave 3 pointer defeated the Wolverine upset bid) so I feel for the Tilton guys, but they're a well coached team and will be fine, I'm sure". The victory evens the Wolverine NEPSAC record to 1-1 and 2-3 overall heading into the holiday break. For a complete rundown of the weekend action go to New England Basketball Report or ESPN college basketball recruiting.

BA Dropped by Hargrave 80-57

In a game generally closer than the final score the Wolverines were beaten by #1 nationally ranked Hargrave Military Academy (VA) 80-57 Saturday afternoon the National Prep Showcase Event on the campus of Albertus Magnus College (CT). Out of the top ten in ESPN/NERR polls for the first time in many years, Bridgton Academy set out this weekend to prove they still belonged in the conversation among elite prep school basketball teams. In the first half, BA led at the midway point but costly turnovers forced them to settle for a 32-24 deficit at the break. Hargrave extended their lead to open the second half and while the Wolverines were competitive they also did not seriously threaten the top ranked team in the country. Balanced scoring was the highlight of the Bridgton Academy attack with all 13 players making contributions on the afternoon. Coach Lesure reflected matter of factly on the Wolverine performance afterwards. "There were certainly some positives and negatives to be taken from today as we try and improve our overall team play"..."We will try and gain a split for the weekend tomorrow by decreasing our errors and building on the positives". The Wolverines face last year's National Prep Champion Tilton School (NH) at noon time before heading home on holiday break for the week.

BA Falls At New Hampton

Bridgton Academy played its first league contest of the early season on the road and came up short 81-69 at NEPSAC rival New Hampton. BA held the lead through the middle portion of the first half but saw the Huskies rally to earn a three point advantage at halftime 33-30.

New Hampton capitalized on the momentum early in the second half and built double digit leads before the Wolverines mounted a comeback effort of their own that ultimately fell short. BA cut the deficit to six with the ball on two occasions but could get no closer as the home team made the plays to secure the win. Dashaun Wiggins (Bronx, NY) led all scorers in the game with 30 points for Bridgton Academy. BA coach Whit Lesure gave credit to New Hampton afterward. “I thought they were better than us in every phase of the game”, Lesure said. “Our guys gave an honest effort, but that certainly won’t cut it on the road against a good club”, Lesure added. “We have a good chance to accomplish something very positive for ourselves this weekend and then enjoy a well deserved holiday break”.

BA plays at the 2009 National Prep Showcase this coming weekend being held on the campus at Albertus Magnus College (CT). The Wolverines face national power Hargrave Military Academy (VA) on Saturday afternoon and last years national prep champion Tilton School (NH) Sunday to wrap up the November schedule.

#3 Dashaun Wiggins shoots a foul shot Thursday vs. New Hampton. Wiggins led all scorers with 30 points.

#1 Alex Harris sets up a play Thursday against New Hampton.

New Hampton Game to be Broadcast

Tonight's game versus New Hampton School will be broadcast live online. You can find the action at: http://www.newhampton.org/tv

Game time is 6:00 PM

BA Defeat Edison 74-54

Bridgton Academy had twenty-four hours to digest a heart-breaking opening season loss but rebounded convincingly to win 74-54 over Edison (NJ). The Wolverines started strong again and rode an Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) three point shot that beat the first half buzzer to lead by 13 at the break 41-28.

Edison made one strong run at the home team in the second half to cut the deficit to ten but timely offense and three point shooting put away any serious threat on this warm afternoon in the Wolverdome. All thirteen BA players saw action in each half led by Harris' game high 19 points and the win evens the BA record to 1-1 on the season. Paul Dick (Belfast, Ireland) added 16 and Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) and Thierno Niang (Dakar, Senegal) added 11 a piece to pace the Wolverine attack.

Coach Lesure was pleased with much of the action in this contest. "We played solidly on both ends of the floor...I was well aware of the lingering effects of yesterday's loss and I thought our guys brought sufficient focus and energy to get a W today...Hopefully, we will have learned a few things this weekend that may help us out in the coming week", Lesure concluded.

BA travels to NEPSAC rival New Hampton on Thursday evening for a 6pm contest before closing the pre-Thanksgiving segment of the schedule at the 2009 National Prep Showcase being held at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven CT over the weekend.

BA Drops Dramatic Season Opener

The Wolverines showed signs of early season progress from their scrimmage action but were ultimately not able to hold off an improbable last second victory to NIA Prep (NJ) 83-82 at the Wolverdome in North Bridgton. NIA won the game by stealing the ball with less than 5 seconds to go and making two free throws. BA had moments earlier led by five with under 25 seconds to play. The late game fireworks were not the only part of a very exciting early season contest that saw both teams enjoy double digit leads; the Wolverines jumping out early in the first half to a 21-6 advantage and NIA taking a 12 point lead with ten minutes remaining only to see the home team mount a dramatic rally that unfortunately did not hold up in the end.

Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN) 20, Alex Harris (Richmond, CA) 18, Thierno Niang (Dakar, Senegal) 12, Paul Dick (Belfast, Ireland) 12, and Ron Blossomgame (Atlanta, GA) 10 led five Bridgton Academy players in double figures for the afternoon.

After gaining the early first half advantage, several Wolverine miscues in the final minutes forced them to settle for a 37-34 haftime lead. NIA kept the momemtum at the start of the second half before BA staged its exciting comeback effort with five minutes remaining that certainly appeared like it would give the defending Class A champions their first victory. BA Coach Whit Lesure was candid in his comments afterwards..."I am as shocked as our players right now...Give credit to NIA for making the plays they had to, especially the big 3....Ultimately I bear the bulk of the responsibility for this loss....Obviously, it's a coach's nightmare, but it happens...The most important thing is to respond properly tomorrow." BA takes on Edison (NJ) at 1 pm in their second home contest to start the season.

Season Preview

The defending Class A champion Bridgton Academy Wolverines look ahead to the challenges of the 2009-2010 season with their usual roster of young postgraduate men from across the country complimented by three dynamic international student-athletes. The early indications for the Wolverines are that once again they will play with a bevy of guards as only four players stand above 6'5".

The backcourt features a blend of talents and will likely be led by the play of two point guards, Alexander Harris (Richmond, CA) and Theirno Niang (Dakar, Senegal). Local product Derek Mayo (Orlando, FL) and Teandre Hubbard (San Francisco, CA) will likely see some action handling the ball.

BA possesses an assortment of wings likely to make valuable contributions. Dashaun Wiggins (Bronx, NY), Chance Jones (Knoxville, TN), Ruben Kanya (Hamilton, Ontario), Kevin Anthony (Columbus, OH), Addison Williams (Boulder, CO), and Paul Dick (Belfast, Ireland) will anchor the positions off the ball. Inside BA will count on Ron Blossomgame (Atlanta, GA), Jeff Smelz (Pascoag, RI), and Justin Miller (Agawam, MA) to provide a physical front.

There is no mistaking the "small-ball" look to the overall lineup. It's hard to figure the Wolverines playing with a size advantage against any of their NEPSAC rivals. Once again, the outlook for the league is extremely competitive with several schools featuring players who rank among the tops in the country. The league will feature a new North-South division structure that will incorporate all ten teams into the Class A play-offs to conclude the season. BA will compete with MCI, Exeter, New Hampton, and Brewster for the rights to higher seeds in the tournament. The South will include St. Thomas More, South Kent, NMH, Worcester, and Winchendon. It's a bold step forward for a conference that has long been hailed as the best sub college varsity league in the nation but has also drawn criticism for its lack of a clear-cut play-off formula. BA Coach Whit Lesure applauds the vision and direction of the league. "This is a fantastic move ahead for our league. There are historically too many good programs that not only deserve the opportunity to participate in the post-season, but can now benefit by earning their placement within a legitimate league structure. This change addresses those realities."

Bridgton Academy has won four out of the last five championships including a run of three consecutive titles from 2005-2008. It's difficult to imagine that sort of streak continuing within a landscape so competitive at the top but then again few would have imagined the magical March run the Wolverines have enjoyed in recent memory. It's another wild basketball season on the horizon in the NEPSAC and the only rule is that almost anything can happen.

New England Recruiting Report Article

A look at the upcoming season with New England Recruiting Report: Link Here