The MIAA state basketball finals were held for the first time in Springfield, the birthplace of the game, on March 19. The Bishop Fenwick girls and St. Mary’s of Lynn boys walked off the court as champions. A look back at their crowning moments:

A mere coincidence?

As Lady Gaga’s “The Edge of Glory’’ reverberated throughout the Mass Mutual Center in Springfield 45 minutes before the opening tip, the Bishop Fenwick girls’ basketball team was the lone squad out on the court warming up.

The Crusaders threw up shots before officially stretching. A series of giggles spread as two shot attempts sailed through the rim simultaneously and became lodged in the net.

Freshman Samantha Gallant then knocked the two balls loose with a one-handed heave.

Win or lose, this was the conclusion of their season. But that didn’t faze the Fenwick girls in the Division 3 state final matchup against Hoosac Valley.

Senior captain Ellen Fantozzi held a lively smile as she playfully drummed on the back of an unsuspecting teammate.

Maybe it was their victory at the Garden four days prior that had them prepared for the Mass Mutual Center. Maybe it was the fan section, which had commandeered Section 26 by game time.

To Colleen Corcoran , the Catholic Central League co-player of the year and self-proclaimed fan section leader, the sight of “No. 1 fan’’ Jack Palmachuk dressed up in a Halloween-worthy knight costume must have been comforting. A crowd of students had made the nearly two-hour trip from Peabody.

“I’m here every game,’’ said Palmachuk, a 17-year-old Bishop Fenwick senior, as he adjusted his silver polyester helmet.

“The costume came with a sword, but I haven’t been bringing it to the bigger arenas.’’

All the other students were clad in USA-themed wear as Fenwick team prepared for Hoosac Valley, a Division 2 runner-up the previous two seasons. Corcoran picked out the theme and had relayed the message to the student body via the school’s PA system earlier in the week.

Just three minutes in, Fantozzi was forced to sit after picking up her second foul. Initially fixated with a sour expression, the 5-foot-5 guard was all smiles by the time she made it to the water cooler.

She was well aware of what Jaxson Nadeau could do.

“She’s a freshman!’’ The chants came rolling in as Nadeau finished a pair of layups within two minutes. Appropriate roars came next as she stepped up on the very next possession to swat a layup attempt into the press row.

The Hurricanes, however, stormed back on the strength their perimeter shooting for a 24-23 halftime lead.

At the end of four quarters, senior leadership was the difference for Fenwick. Their pregame composure was no facade. Corcoran, Fantozzi, and guard Sydney Brennan combined for the team’s last 11 points in a 57-48 victory.

As the final air horn sounded and the Crusader reserves rushed down court to join the rest of the team in celebration, Fenwick coach Adam DeBaggis finally cracked his first smile of the game. The reality of the situation had struck him, and he broke into a full grin when one of his assistants grabbed him by the shoulders.

He stood back in the postgame ceremony, allowing the girls to absorb their shining moment. Shrill, emphatic screams filled the arena as Corcoran collected the trophy and, with her team in tow, sprinted across the court to embrace the student fans.

.   .   .

Just 2 miles away, on Alden Street, the atmosphere at Blake Arena was intense as the St. Mary’s and Maynard boys went at it for the Division 4 crown.

St. Mary’s coach David Brown was stationed in a fixed crouch, wearing an emotionless expression while fixing his burnt orange button-down.

A 1989 alum, and former 1,000-point scorer, he was in position to add another achievement to his Spartan legacy.

His players wanted a title for their coach just as badly as they did for themselves. Sophomore guard Calvin Johnson set the tone immediately with a pair of 3-pointers in the opening minutes.

“This is your day Calvin!’’ shouted a middle-aged man huddled up in the corner of the bleachers.

The Zoo — the St. Mary’s fan section — was nearly shaking James Naismith Court after a Jonathan Mercado trey forced Maynard to call its first timeout. The junior guard backpedaled off the court, pointing and nodding at Johnson, a former middle school rival turned teammate.

Between Mercado’s ball handling, Johnson’s shooting, and eighth grader Matthew Cross providing post presence, St. Mary’s shot to a 30-19 lead in the second quarter.

Brown offered a pat on the back to Mercado, but refused to rejoice any further. Did he know what was ahead?

As if on cue, Maynard came roaring back. An efficient fast break attack coupled with a ramped up perimeter D allowed the Tigers to close the gap. His team held a 5-point lead at the half, but Brown was clearly not happy. He addressed his players in a locker room tucked away in the bowels of the arena, his stern tone just short of a raised voice.

“If we depend on shooting the three-ball, we are going to lose this game!’’ said Brown, his arms waving for emphasis. The Spartans remained silent, their heads slightly angled towards the grey floor tiling.

“Attack, attack, attack! The block is available!’’

The coach then paused, letting the words soak in before pivoting to a more encouraging attitude.

“They’re out-executing us, and we’re still winning by 5,’’ he said.

“Let’s just go put them away.’’

Easier said than done.

The Tigers came out firing, and with 30 seconds left in the third quarter, the state final was locked up, 45-all. Brown instructed Mercado to hold the ball for the last shot. He dribbled down the clock before dishing a pass to Joseph Fama on the wing. The senior forward was limited to four games last year after suffering a broken leg. He was still not at 100 percent, according to his coach. But Fama stepped up and swished a trey through the net before turning back down the court, with three fingers banging against his temple in the style of Carmelo Anthony.

St Mary’s took over from there, extending its cushion to multiple possessions and closing out the 61-52 victory with free throws.

With five seconds left, Mercado and Johnson embraced at the free-throw line. Brown looked on with overwhelming pride.

At 0:00, there was a wild celebration at center court. While the Spartans waited patiently for their MIAA championship plaque, medals draped around their necks, Mercado danced playfully with freshman guard Jalen Echevarria .

Minutes later, Mercado, Johnson and junior Jonathan Mola sat around a table in the media room, their championship smiles still present.

“We’ll be coming back next year,’’ said Mercado.

Ethan Schroeder can be reached at ethan.schroeder@globe.com.