Orono goes back-to-back in Class B, Walston makes statement

The Red Riots win the rematch with Oceanside while Walston leaves his mark in Maine basketball history.

Entering last season, Orono was an afterthought. The Red Riots “stumbled” into the playoffs, as head coach Ed Kohtala described, and found themselves in the state championship game against Oceanside, the Class B South representative. 

Orono won last year, and this year the target was squarely on its back. 

Behind the leadership of Kohtala and Orono’s senior point guard Pierce Walston, the Red Riots found themselves back in the same spot – Facing Oceanside for the Class B title. 

Orono took an early lead and never really gave it up, finishing the rematch in the same fashion, earning a 56-48 victory and back-to-back Class B titles.

“I just couldn’t believe we finished the job twice in a row,” Walston said. “This group has shown the type of motivation and drive that we have.” 

“It’s hard to make a comparison,” Kohtala said after the game. “Last year I wouldn’t say it was a new experience, but we stumbled into it. We found ourselves winning, making plays, advancing and before we knew it we were in the state championship game… This year every time we stepped onto the court we got everyone’s best shot.”

Friday night’s matchup was of course a rematch of the Red Riots and Mariners, but also of some of the best players Maine has to offer. Oceanside’s Carter and Cohen Galley were Maine Mr. Basketball semifinalists, as was Walston. Carter Galley was recently named one of three finalists, with Walston being left off the podium. 

Walston, a state champion and leader in many statistical categories for Orono, had some extra motivation heading into Friday’s game. 

According to Maine Basketball Ranking’s impeccable stat keeping, Walston finished with 16 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals in the victory. 

“Case closed,” Walston yelled to the crowd after the game. “I’m Mr. Maine, it’s all me.” 

While Walston can’t win the award, the senior has cemented his legacy in the history of Maine high school basketball and did it on the defensive end. 

“We had to shut down the Galleys,” Walston said. “They accounted for 52 of their points and they didn’t even score that as a team. Just slowing them down was our goal.”

Walston was the main defender on Carter Galley down the stretch, who finished 3-15 from the field. His brother, Cohen, shot 3-9. 

“I knew coming down to grind time the shots were going to be coming out of Carter and Cohen’s hands so we stuck to them like glue and shut them down,” Walston added. 

While Walston was sticking to one of the Galleys most of the game, the Francis brothers, Will and Ben, were also rotating off them for Orono. Will Francis added 15 points and 12 boards in the win, while Ben scored seven. 

Kohtala, who has had a front-row seat to the rise of the Red Riots, has marveled at the growth of Walston and the team these past few years. 

“Pierce’s growth as a player and a person has been tremendous,” Kohtala said. “I am so proud of him. The young kid that I coached who might get out of control has now become the guy that is running our offense late, getting us into our sets, making sure we get good shots and our defense set on the other end, he’s a tremendous young man. I am so proud of the group, him, the Francis brothers, everyone, it’s been a pleasure.”

Walston won’t end his career with the Maine Mr. Basketball trophy, but he will with two rings. 

“Hey, I don’t need the label to know that I belong in that Mr. Maine conversation,” Walston said before celebrating with the Orono fans. “Nobody else is a two-time state champ in that group. It feels amazing.”