Machias High School Sends Both Girls and Boys Basketball Teams to Regional Finals for First Time in 30 Years

The Machias Bulldogs will compete for the North regional championship on Saturday after the boys team won their semifinal game.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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For the first time in over 30 years, Machias Memorial High School has sent both its girls and boys basketball teams to the regional finals. The girls team beat Central Aroostook in the semifinals on Wednesday, and the boys team followed suit by defeating Hodgdon 55-52 on Thursday. Both teams will now advance to the North regional championship games on Saturday at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

Why it matters

This is a significant accomplishment for the small town of Machias, which has a long history of supporting its high school basketball programs. The community is expected to pack the arena on Saturday to cheer on both Bulldogs teams as they compete for a chance to advance to the state championships.

The details

Machias last sent both its girls and boys teams to the regional finals in 1995, when athletic director Robert Sinford was an assistant coach for the boys team. This year, the girls team won their semifinal 47-38 over Central Aroostook, while the boys team held off Hodgdon 55-52. Boys coach Chad Fitzsimmons credited the 'tremendous support' from the Machias community, which he said was 'awesome' and helped propel his team to victory.

  • The Machias girls team won their semifinal game on Wednesday, February 17, 2026.
  • The Machias boys team won their semifinal game on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The North regional championship games for both the Machias girls and boys teams will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Robert Sinford

Machias Memorial High School athletic director, who was an assistant coach on the boys basketball team the last time both Machias teams made the regional finals in 1995.

Chad Fitzsimmons

Head coach of the Machias boys basketball team.

Liam O'Connor

Senior guard on the Machias boys basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“This place will be packed Saturday because they really love the kids and they love basketball.”

— Robert Sinford, Athletic Director (Bangor Daily News)

“We got a great crowd behind us. And I heard them all game, so it was awesome.”

— Chad Fitzsimmons, Boys Basketball Coach (Bangor Daily News)

“It's great for the community. We start early with youth programs, and it really pays off.”

— Chad Fitzsimmons, Boys Basketball Coach (Bangor Daily News)

“But the regional final is on the way there, and I pray both teams get to the state championship.”

— Liam O'Connor, Senior Guard (Bangor Daily News)

“Stop playing like people that don't know how to play basketball, really. We were out there playing like fifth graders — no discipline, missing free-throws, not stalling, and not even playing defense on the way back.”

— Liam O'Connor, Senior Guard (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The Machias girls and boys basketball teams will compete in the North regional championship games on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

The takeaway

This achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Machias basketball programs, as well as the unwavering support of the local community. Sending both teams to the regional finals for the first time in 30 years is an impressive feat that has the entire town rallying behind their Bulldogs.