Valley Seeks Second Straight Title in Class S Girls Basketball Championship

After winning the Class D title last year, Valley faces off against Wisdom in the Class S final.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Valley girls basketball team is looking to capture its second consecutive state championship, this time in the Class S division, as they take on Wisdom High School in the title game at the Augusta Civic Center. Valley, led by sophomore guard Liana Hartwell and senior guard Kirsten Bigelow, has dominated opponents all season with its high-powered offense, scoring 70 or more points in 18 of its 21 games. Wisdom, meanwhile, is led by senior guard Ava Lerman, who has been the top player in the Class S tournament, and will need to find a way to slow down Valley's attack if they hope to claim the Gold Ball.

Why it matters

This matchup features two of the top teams in Class S girls basketball, with Valley looking to defend its state title from last year in the new classification, while Wisdom seeks its first championship in program history. The outcome will determine the best small-school girls basketball team in Maine for the 2025-26 season.

The details

Valley is led by a trio of double-digit scorers in Hartwell, Bigelow, and sophomore guard Delia Hill, while Wisdom relies heavily on the scoring and playmaking of Lerman. The Cavaliers will likely try to limit Lerman's production, forcing other Wisdom players to step up. On the other end, Wisdom will need to find a way to slow down Valley's high-powered offense if they hope to pull off the upset.

  • The Class S girls basketball state championship game will be played on Saturday, February 25, 2026 at 11:05 a.m.
  • Valley won the Class D state title last year.

The players

Liana Hartwell

A sophomore guard for Valley, averaging 16.1 points per game.

Kirsten Bigelow

A senior guard for Valley, averaging 19.7 points per game.

Delia Hill

A sophomore guard for Valley, averaging 14.0 points per game.

Ava Lerman

A senior guard for Wisdom, averaging 26.3 points, 4.3 steals, 3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game during the regional tournament.

Madi Cyr

A junior guard for Wisdom, averaging 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“If Lerman can produce like that again Saturday, the chances of a championship climb exponentially for the Pioneers.”

— Dave Dyer, Author (centralmaine.com)

“The Cavaliers will have a tough task in stopping the guard, who has averaged more than 20 points per game this season. Lerman is, by a substantial margin, Wisdom's best offensive weapon. It may take some double-teaming to make sure Lerman doesn't have a big game Saturday.”

— Dave Dyer, Author (centralmaine.com)

What’s next

The winner of the Class S girls basketball state championship game will receive the Gold Ball trophy.

The takeaway

This matchup between the defending Class D champion Valley Cavaliers and the Wisdom Pioneers, led by star guard Ava Lerman, promises an exciting conclusion to the Class S girls basketball season in Maine. The outcome will determine which small-school program can claim the title of best in the state for 2025-26.