GREELY (19-2) vs. HAMPDEN ACADEMY (19-2)

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Cross Insurance Arena, Portland

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Greely, seeded second in the South, defeated Leavitt (83-40), Marshwood (65-50) and Brunswick (66-49) in the regional tournament; Hampden Academy, seeded first in the North, defeated Gardiner (37-29), Lawrence (42-31) and Messalonskee (42-37 in OT).

KEY PLAYERS: Greely – Anna DeWolfe, jr., G (24.0 points per game, 4.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 steals), Brooke Obar, so., G (12.7 points, 4.8 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 steals), Camille Clement, fr., G (16.9 points, 1.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 steals); Hampden Academy – Bailey Donovan, jr., F (15.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.7 steals), Brooklyn Scott, sr., G (6.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 2.5 assists), Braylee Wildman, sr., F (5.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.4 steals, 2.2 assists).

WHAT GREELY HAS TO DO TO WIN: The Rangers want to play fast both offensively and defensively. Hampden will have the height advantage, but Greely will be quicker. Defensively, they Rangers will try to disrupt Hampden’s guards, making it hard for the Broncos to get the ball inside. That means constant pressure on the perimeter, led by junior guard Julia Martel. The Rangers are going to have to continue to knock down their 3s, as well. Clement, Obar and DeWolfe are impressive from the outside and can quickly break a game open. And inside players Emma Spoerri and Madison Scott need to play big against taller opponents.

WHAT HAMPDEN ACADEMY HAS TO DO TO WIN: The Broncos have to make Greely play at a deliberate pace. They want to get the ball inside to the 6-3 Donovan and 5-10 Sophia Narofsky. They’ll need 5-9 guard Alydia Brillant to knock down some 3s, and they’ll definitely need their guards to handle full-court pressure. Defensively, Hampden has to contain Greely’s ballhandlers. Much of the Rangers’ outside success comes when DeWolfe or Obar penetrate and pass the ball out to an open shooter on the wing. Hampden can’t collapse so much on defense as to give the Rangers open looks on the perimeter.

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