ROCKLAND – The Oceanside Unified Basketball team hosted Messalonskee in its final regular season home game Monday 48-33.

After playing to a 12-12 first quarter tie, the Mariners took a 4-point 26-22 lead at the half. Oceanside broke it open in the third quarter outscoring the opponent 14-3 for a 40-25 lead heading into the final stanza.

“Our Mariners played good team ball and did a much better job rebounding,” said Oceanside coach Joanna Hall. “We knew that Messalonskee has a good team and that we would have to play our best to come away with a win.”

A large crowd was on hand for the early afternoon game and the team worked hard to put on a good showing for the fans.

“The kids were excited to see so many fans come out to support them,” said Hall. “We are really hoping that we will secure a home playoff spot in the upcoming MPA tournament.”

The tournament will run March 9-19, with the state championship being played at Lewiston High School. With the last countable game being March 5, the Mariners will find out soon if they will be hosting a preliminary round game or playing on the road March 9. All tournament games up to the state championship will be played at the team’s home with the highest seeding.

In Monday’s game, the Mariners were led by Eddie Davis with 22 points; Anna Stowe and Kaylee Heino six each; Tyler Ward and Thomas Curtis four each; and Isaiah Jones and Lily Vachon two each.

For Messalonskee, Shawn McIntyre had 12 points; Tyler Ward eight; Dakota Pike five; R.J. Per four and Jordan Pelletier two.

Unified Sports is a project of The Maine Principals’ Association and Special Olympics Maine. They are pleased to announce their partnership in developing and promoting Unified Sports.  Unified Basketball partners students with developmental disabilities (Unified Student Athlete) with students without developmental disabilities (Unified Student Partners) to train, compete, and represent their school.  Unified Sports impacts all kinds of students and helps promote physical activity, teamwork, sportsmanship, and social inclusion.

The focus of MPA Unified Sports is competition (not simply participation).  The opportunity to compete in sports teaches many life lessons: to work as a team, to follow rules and to be committed.  Through sports we can find shared interests that allow friendships to form.  Through MPA/Special Olympics Unified Sports program we have an opportunity to make real positive changes in the lives of students with and without disabilities.For more information on this outstanding opportunity for all students visit the MPA site at: http://www.mpa.cc/unified-sports/unified-sports.html

Oceanside Unified student athletes are Dakota Wildes, Adrienne Stowe, Jacob Morris, Eddie Davis, Tyler Ward, Isaiah Jones, Ryan Crockett and Kaylee Heino. The Unified student partners are Thomas Curtis, Nate Philbrook, Jackie Thorbjornson, Ryan Allender, Lily Vachon and Sydney Brooks. The team is coached by Joanna Hall and Colleen Rickard.

The Oceanside sprit squad is Emma Arndt, Caroline Duda, Brittany Rytky, Amanda Hoppe and Kasey Buretta.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Ron Hawkes can be reached at hawkesnews@gmail.com