The County’s best high school basketball players gathered at the University of Maine at Presque Isle to showcase their skills on March 14. Rivalries were set aside and new alliances were built as the teams warmed up in the packed Wieden Gymnasium for the 17th Annual Aroostook County All-Star High School Basketball Classic.
The Blue and White teams were led by guest coaches and the athletes represented their hometowns, not necessarily their schools.
The evening kicked off at 5:30 p.m. for the girls’ game. The Maine Event Singers, Bob Cormier, Herman Fisher, Dick Mattila, Dan Olson, Dean Rauch and Dick Ruggles, performed an a cappella version of the National Anthem.
Unfortunately, the girls White Team only had seven members in attendance, with Kerri Cunningham sitting at the sideline due to the recovery from a recent knee surgery. Also not in attendance were athletes Jessica Kinney, Caribou; Victoria Rowe, Houlton; and Ronni Robinson, of Benedicta. However, what the White Team lacked in numbers, both the girls and their coach, Jon Porter, made up in energy.
By the end of the first half, the Blue Team, coached by Jeanette Peters, was up only one point with the score at 29-28. After returning from the brief break, the White Team’s offensive game improved, and they came back to win the game with a score of 76-58. Leading the Blue Team was Angela Norsworthy of Presque Isle, with 19 points. Julie Peers of Caswell scored 24 points during the game, leading the White Team offensively toward victory.
The boys game started at 7 p.m. with Ron Grover coaching the Blue Team and Larry Worcester managing the White Team. The White Team ended the first half with 40 points, 14 ahead of the Blue Team. In the second half, the Blue Team picked up the pace, with Tim Carlson, of Mars Hill sinking four three-pointers. By the end of the game, the White Team won the game with a score of 75-73.
Leading the White Team offensively was Drew Farrar, of Hodgdon; while Carlson was the high scorer for the Blue Team.
