The Gold Ball Reset: 7 Shocking Takeaways And All Champions From The 2025 Maine High School Basketball Season
The 2025 Maine High School Basketball season delivered one of the most memorable and transformative campaigns in recent memory, culminating in a Championship Weekend full of historic firsts, incredible upsets, and a dramatic overtime finish. As of today, December 20, 2025, the dust has settled on the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) tournaments, but the impact of the new class structure—including the debut of Class S—is still reshaping the landscape of Maine hoops. This season wasn't just about the final scores; it was about the fundamental changes that will define the future of the game from Portland to Presque Isle.
The intensity of the Gold Ball pursuit saw dominant teams like Noble and York face unexpected challenges, while perennial powerhouses and upstart programs battled across the state’s key venues, including the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland and the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The 2024-2025 season will be remembered for its parity, the emergence of new champions, and the strategic realignment that aims to level the playing field for Maine’s smallest schools. Here is a deep dive into the season's biggest stories, the new class structure, and the definitive list of Boys' State Champions.
The Definitive List of 2025 Maine MPA Boys' State Champions
The 2025 MPA Boys’ Basketball State Championship games were held across the state’s premier basketball venues, showcasing the best talent in Maine. The competition proved fierce, with several games coming down to the final possessions, including a thrilling overtime finish in Class A. These teams etched their names into the history books by claiming the coveted Gold Ball:
- Class AA Champion: Windham Eagles
- Final Result: Defeated South Portland, 55-52.
- Venue: Cross Insurance Arena, Portland.
- Story: Windham secured the Class AA title with a nail-biting three-point victory over a formidable South Portland squad, capping off a dominant season for the Eagles.
- Class A Champion: Falmouth Navigators
- Final Result: Defeated Messalonskee Eagles in Overtime.
- Venue: Augusta Civic Center.
- Story: The Navigators completed a dramatic rally, overcoming the Messalonskee Eagles in an overtime thriller to claim the Class A title. Falmouth’s path included a key regional final victory over Noble.
- Class B Champion: Caribou Vikings
- Final Result: Decisive victory over York.
- Venue: Cross Insurance Arena, Portland.
- Story: The Caribou Vikings showcased their northern dominance, running away from the York Wildcats in the final to secure the Class B State Championship.
- Class C Champion: Mt. Abram Roadrunners
- Final Result: Claimed the Class C title.
- Venue: Cross Insurance Center, Bangor.
- Story: Mt. Abram delivered a powerhouse performance, securing the Class C Gold Ball in a memorable victory on March 3, 2025.
- Class D Champion: St. Dominic Academy Saints (St. Dom's)
- Final Result: Defeated Schenck, 34-31.
- Venue: Cross Insurance Center, Bangor.
- Story: St. Dom's made history by capturing the school's first-ever Boys' Basketball State Championship in a low-scoring, defensive battle against the Schenck Wolverines.
The Girls’ side of the bracket also saw incredible action, with the South Portland Red Riots defeating Cheverus (54-48) to claim the Class AA Girls' Gold Ball, and Penobscot Valley winning their program’s first-ever Class C State Championship.
The Game-Changing MPA Class Restructuring
Perhaps the most significant development of the 2025 season was the implementation of a major class restructuring by the MPA. This move fundamentally shifted the competitive landscape of Maine high school basketball, addressing long-standing concerns about school size and competitive balance.
The New Class A and the Debut of Class S
The MPA’s realignment saw Class A moved to the top of the classification system, with teams reshuffled across the traditional A-D classes. The critical addition, however, was the creation of Class S. This new classification is specifically designed for the state's smallest schools, providing a dedicated championship path for programs that previously struggled to compete against larger schools in the traditional Class D.
This restructuring, which mirrors configurations from a decade ago for large schools, was largely applauded by coaches across the state who sought more balanced competition. The introduction of Class S allows for a more equitable use of the Heal Point standings, ensuring that regular-season performance more accurately reflects a team's potential for a deep tournament run. While the inaugural Class S champion may not have garnered the same headlines as the larger classes, its creation is a vital step toward preserving and promoting basketball in every corner of Maine.
Key Players and Teams That Defined the 2025 Season
Beyond the champions, the 2025 season was defined by standout individual performances and the consistent excellence of top-ranked teams. The competitive balance was evident in the weekly rankings, which saw teams like Noble, Medomak Valley, and York consistently battling for the top spots early in the season.
The Emerging Talent Pool
The future of Maine basketball looks bright, with a deep pool of talent already making waves. Players to watch include:
- Nolan Ames (Camden Hills): A dynamic senior guard whose leadership was crucial in the tough southern Maine circuit.
- Evan Ballard (Noble): A senior forward who was a key component of the top-ranked Noble team that dominated the early season rankings.
- Jaxson Desjardins (Forest Hills): A sophomore guard who averaged over 21 points per game as a freshman, marking him as one of central Maine's most explosive scorers.
- Kewito Castigo (Lewiston): A talented sophomore guard from Lewiston who promises to be a major force in the coming seasons.
- Cai Dougher (Spruce Mountain): A senior forward who was among the top players to watch in the western Maine region.
These players, alongside others like Carter Blanche, represent the next generation driving the intensity of the MPA tournaments. The presence of these stars ensures that the regional rivalries—from the AA North battles involving Cheverus and Oxford Hills to the Class D showdowns—will remain must-see events for years to come. The competitive spirit fostered in the regular season, often highlighted by the ever-important Heal Point standings, sets the stage for the high-stakes games at the Cross Insurance Center and the Portland Expo.
The 2025 Maine high school basketball season was a perfect blend of tradition and transformation. With the new class structure now fully in place, the focus shifts to how programs will adapt to the reshuffled competitive landscape and which rising stars will step up to claim the next Gold Ball. The dramatic finishes in Class AA and Class A prove that in Maine, the state championship is never a guarantee, and the passion for the game remains as strong as ever.
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