The Valley (Bingham, ME) varsity basketball team will play a neutral playoff game against Pine Tree Academy (Freeport, ME) today at 11:30 PM. This game is part of the 2025 MPA Girls’ Basketball Championships presented by Ware-Butler Building Supply – Class D tournament.
Valley vs Pine Tree Academy Girls Basketball Playoff Game Info:
What: Maine High School Girls Basketball Playoff
Who: Valley vs Pine Tree Academy
When: Thursday, February 20, 2025
Time: 11:30 PM
Bracket: 2025 MPA Girls’ Basketball Championships presented by Ware-Butler Building Supply – Class D
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Game preview: Valley vs Pine Tree Academy
As the 2024-2025 varsity basketball season heads into the home stretch, the Valley (Bingham, ME) and Pine Tree Academy (Freeport, ME) have faced off twice, with Valley asserting their dominance in both games. But with another showdown in the playoffs set for today, it’s a crucial opportunity for Pine Tree Academy to rise to the occasion and challenge the undefeated Valley squad.
Record Breakdown: A Tale of Two Teams
Valley enters the game with a flawless 20-0 overall record, 12-0 in league play, and a 9-0 mark on the road. Their offensive firepower has been a key factor in their success, outscoring opponents 1,477 to 532. Valley has also been dominant in non-league and playoff games, with a perfect 2-0 neutral site record.
In stark contrast, Pine Tree Academy holds a 10-10 overall record and has struggled in their region with an 8-6 mark. Though they have shown resilience at home with a 7-3 record, their road and neutral game performances leave much to be desired, sporting a combined 3-7 mark. Despite these challenges, Pine Tree Academy has managed to put up strong individual performances, including a scoring average of 33.9 points per game.
Head-to-Head: Valley’s Commanding Wins
The most recent matchups between these two teams have been lopsided. Valley defeated Pine Tree Academy 81-22 in a dominant away game on January 18 and followed that up with another commanding 70-23 win on February 3. These scores highlight the immense gap in performance between the two teams, with Valley showcasing both offensive and defensive superiority.
Valley’s remarkable scoring ability has been their hallmark, averaging nearly 74 points per game, while Pine Tree Academy has struggled to keep pace, with a team scoring average of 33.9. Valley’s defensive prowess has also been evident, holding opponents to a mere 532 points on the season.
Common Opponents: Valley’s Consistent Dominance
Both teams have faced some common opponents this season, and the results tell a clear story of Valley’s superiority. Against teams like Temple Academy, Telstar, North Haven, and Buckfield, Valley secured dominant victories, often by wide margins. For instance, Valley crushed Temple Academy 81-26 and Telstar 75-12, while Pine Tree Academy saw mixed results, with losses to Temple Academy and Buckfield.
The discrepancy in results against common opponents is further proof of Valley’s high level of play. Valley’s 15-0 record against common opponents compared to Pine Tree Academy’s 10-7 speaks volumes about the gap between the two teams.
A Glimpse Ahead: Playoff Showdown
Despite their struggles throughout the season, Pine Tree Academy has an opportunity to reset everything in today’s playoff game. The game will be a neutral-site contest, giving both teams a fair chance to prove their worth. Valley will look to continue their undefeated streak, while Pine Tree Academy aims to play spoiler and challenge the seemingly unstoppable Valley juggernaut.
For Pine Tree Academy to have a chance, they must improve their defense, where they’ve often been outmatched, and create offensive opportunities to outscore Valley, something few teams have been able to do this season. Valley, on the other hand, will look to continue their dominant play and prove that their perfect season is no fluke.
As the teams prepare for this crucial matchup, all eyes will be on the floor to see if Pine Tree Academy can pull off the upset, or if Valley will maintain their dominance and advance deeper into the postseason.
