Early and-1 bucket changes course of Maine high school basketball game

Hermon High School senior guard Carter Wiggin's early scoring play sparked his team to a 61-46 win over Belfast in the Class A North regional quarterfinal.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

In a Class A North regional quarterfinal matchup, the No. 2 seed Hermon Hawks faced off against the No. 7 Belfast Lions. Early in the first quarter, with the score tied at 4-4, Hermon senior guard Carter Wiggin made an and-1 basket that gave the Hawks a lead they would not relinquish, going on to win the game 61-46.

Why it matters

Hermon's victory over Belfast advances them in the Class A North regional tournament, keeping their postseason hopes alive. Wiggin's early scoring play proved to be a pivotal moment that energized his team and the Hermon fans, setting the tone for the rest of the game.

The details

With the score tied at 4-4 in the first quarter, Hermon's Carter Wiggin drove to the hoop, fought through contact, and converted an and-1 basket. He then made the free throw, giving Hermon a 7-4 lead they would not surrender. Wiggin led all scorers with 21 points, and Hermon held on to win 61-46 despite a second-half push from Belfast.

  • The key play happened in the first few minutes of the first quarter.
  • Hermon and Belfast were tied at 4-4 when Wiggin made his and-1 basket.

The players

Carter Wiggin

A senior guard for the Hermon Hawks who led all scorers with 21 points, including a key and-1 basket early in the first quarter that gave Hermon the lead.

Mark Reed

The head coach of the Hermon Hawks, who was proud of the way his team responded to the tournament environment and said Wiggin's early scoring play was a "big" moment that helped open up the game for Hermon.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I have to thank my teammate. That was a good pass. I got to the hoop, and you know what, we were just ready to go.”

— Carter Wiggin, Senior Guard, Hermon Hawks (Bangor Daily News)

“I think when it went from 4-4 to like 9-4, we got a little bit of distance. The game opened up a little bit for us. So yeah, those couple plays early for us were big.”

— Mark Reed, Head Coach, Hermon Hawks (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The Hermon Hawks will advance to the next round of the Class A North regional tournament, where they will face a higher-seeded opponent.

The takeaway

Hermon's victory over Belfast showcases the importance of a team's ability to respond to the high-pressure environment of the postseason tournament. Wiggin's early scoring play provided the spark his team needed to take control of the game and secure the win, demonstrating the impact a single player can have on the outcome of a crucial playoff matchup.