2/19/2008  CM splits in the Yankee Conference Tournament!

 Central Maine defeated rival New Hampshire Technical Institute 55-53 Saturday in the semi finals of Yankee Conference action played in Vermont.  On Sunday, the Mustangs dropped a 74-72 game to SMCC who captured the Yankee Conference Championship....  This was a costly loss; as CM needed to capture the Yankee Conference for an automatic bid to nationals.   Many CM faithful traveled out for the weekend games which essentially turned the games into a home contest!!  The crowd was loud and proud!!  Congratulations to SMCC for winning the Yankee Championship.

 On Saturday, Matt Sceviour hit a game winning runner in the lane with 2.7 ticks on the clock to lead CM to victory.  Dave Labonte then stole the in bounds pass to seal the victory.  CM was led by Tyler Smithgall who hit for 18 points and 15 rebounds, Dave Labonte chipped in with 13 and Cam Angell added 12 points.  The Mustangs took off early and led by as much as 12 points in the middle of the first half.  Tyler Smithgall played big grabbing every rebound in sight!  Sharpshooter Dave Labonte showed why he is an all conference player with his leadership on and off the floor.  Unstoppable Cam Angell turned it on when needed and poured in some big baskets.  The CM bench also came up big offering some valuable minutes. 

 In a nip and tuck game all the way, SM defeated CM 74-72 Sunday to win the championship.  Dave Labonte hit for 9 three pointers to lead CM with 30 points and was named offensive player of the tournament.  Again, Tyler Smithgall played huge for the team posting 20 points and played like a lion underneath.   

On the women’s side, New Hampshire Tech knocked CM out of the tournament with a 66-64 win.  Tiffany Seams hit for 17 points for CM.  This concludes the season for the ladies.

 Some bad news from the USCAA and great news from the Yankee Conference:

 Bad news:  The CM men were not selected as an at large participant in the USCAA National Tournament.  Two teams, Manor College finished the season 18-2 and defending D-2 Champion UC Claremont (23-12) was selected ahead of CM.  However disappointed we all are, these two schools have earned and deserve the bids. 

  Dave Labonte was named the 5^th best player in the Yankee Conference.  Consequently, he was named to the all conference team

 Tyler Smithgall was named the 9^th best player in the Yankee Conference. 

 Head Coach Dave Gonyea was named the Yankee Conference Coach of the year.

 On the ladies side:

  Tiffany Seams was names the Most Valuable Player in the Yankee Conference!!

 Brittney Salley was named the 10^th best player in the Yankee Conference.

 All of us at CM would like to thank those who have supported our efforts all year.

 Dave Gonyea

Athletic Director