Editor's note: This story originally ran on Feb. 28, 2004. BANGOR — The Erskine Academy boys basketball team made its first trip to the state finals a memorable one as the Eagles defeated Gorham High School 59-42 to take the Class B championship at the Bangor Auditorium Friday night.

"This was for everybody," said Erskine senior Matt Donar, who scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the fourth quarter. "The whole school, the whole community, everybody."

Erskine of South China finishes the season with a 19-3 record. Gorham making its fourth appearance in the state championship in the last five years, also ends at 19-3.

Ahead 41-35 after three quarters, Erskine outscored Gorham 18-7 over the final eight minutes to pull away with the win.

Erskine opened up a 20-9 lead after one quarter, utilizing a strong full-court zone trapping defense that pestered the Rams across all 84 feet of court. Gorham committed seven turnovers in the first quarter, and 12 in the first half.

Gorham was able to cut into Erskine's lead in the second quarter, opening the frame with a 7-0 run. The Rams pulled to within four points three times in the quarter, and the Eagles went into the break with a 29-23 lead.

Erskine played 12 minutes of the first half without junior big man Josh Jones. The talented 6-foot-4 forward picked up his second foul midway through the first quarter, went to the bench, and didn't return to the game until the second half. Without Jones in the lineup, the Eagles still outrebounded the Rams 21-16 in the first half, thanks to the efforts of Kevin Haskell and Matt Donar, who each grabbed five rebounds in the first half, and Steve Chills, who had four rebounds. Back in the second half, Jones finished the game with eight points and 11 rebounds.

Darrell Haskell scored 19 points for Erskine, including five 3-pointers. Kurt Randall led Gorham with 12 points.

Travis Lazarczyk — 861-9242

tlazarczyk@centralmaine.com