Ellsworth Edges Out MDI in Thrilling High School Basketball Rivalry

The Ellsworth Eagles defeat the Mount Desert Island Trojans in a hard-fought Class B North tournament matchup.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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In a classic Maine high school basketball rivalry, the Ellsworth Eagles defeated the Mount Desert Island Trojans 47-42 in the Class B North tournament. The game featured gritty defense, hustle plays, and a late push by the Trojans that fell just short. Ellsworth's Jackson Barry had a double-double, while MDI's James Witham led all scorers with 16 points. The two schools and communities share a deep connection, making this a true "sibling rivalry" according to coaches and fans.

Why it matters

The Ellsworth-MDI rivalry is one of the most anticipated matchups in Maine high school basketball. The two schools and their communities are deeply intertwined, adding an extra layer of intensity and pride to the competition on the court. This tournament game showcased the best of Maine high school sports - passionate fans, hard-nosed play, and a fierce but friendly rivalry between two talented teams.

The details

Ellsworth's relentless defense limited MDI star guard James Witham to 16 points, a notable achievement given Witham's scoring prowess. The Eagles had three different players taking turns trying to slow down Witham. On the offensive end, Ellsworth capitalized on fast-break opportunities and hustle plays, with senior Jackson Barry recording a double-double. MDI made a late push to narrow the gap, but Ellsworth junior Colby Eaton hit two crucial free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
  • Ellsworth and MDI split two games during the regular season prior to this tournament matchup.

The players

Jackson Barry

A senior guard for the Ellsworth Eagles who scored 13 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the win.

James Witham

The star guard for the Mount Desert Island Trojans, who led all scorers with 16 points despite Ellsworth's tough defense.

Colby Eaton

A junior guard for the Ellsworth Eagles who hit two crucial free throws in the final minute to help seal the victory.

Matt Mattson

The head coach of the Ellsworth Eagles, who praised the rivalry and noted that his boss is an assistant coach on the MDI staff.

Paige Morse

A teacher in Ellsworth who described the Ellsworth-MDI rivalry as a "healthy competition" due to the deep connections between the two communities.

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What they’re saying

“The students are very connected, and our community is very connected. So it's kind of like a sibling rivalry to me.”

— Paige Morse, Teacher, Ellsworth (bangordailynews.com)

“I honestly didn't want to play them in the first round, because I root for them when they're not playing head-to-head. But we had a job to do, and I thought we did a pretty good job. Defensively, we played great.”

— Matt Mattson, Head Coach, Ellsworth Eagles (bangordailynews.com)

“I'm just trying to play my role. I'm a good rebounder — I like to think so at least. So just being physical.”

— Jackson Barry, Senior Guard, Ellsworth Eagles (bangordailynews.com)

What’s next

The Ellsworth Eagles will advance to the Class B North regional final, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal matchup.

The takeaway

The Ellsworth-MDI rivalry showcases the best of Maine high school basketball - passionate fans, hard-nosed play, and a fierce but friendly competition between two talented teams with deep community ties. This tournament game was a thrilling example of why this rivalry is considered one of the top matchups in the state.