Staff Writer
The Wildcat girls clamped down on Bucksport on Saturday for their first win of the regular season, 64-24.
Point guard Sarah Porter had the team-high in scoring with 17 points.
“Porter’s decision-making is getting better,” commented head coach Jeff Hudson about his novice point guard. Hudson hoped the win will boost the confidence of his young squad.
Amy Michaud added 11 points followed by Kayla Legassie with 10 points.
“We spent three days working on boxing-out and man-to-man defense and we did that in the game,” noted Hudson. “We didn’t turn the ball as much, and if you don’t turn the ball than you have a good chance of winning.”
Despite Porter’s two three-point goals, the Wildcats failed to surpass Houlton in their game on Tuesday, Dec. 11. Porter totaled 15 points in the PIHS loss, 61-35. The Presque Isle Wildcat boys’ re-posted their record at 2-0 after another home victory against Houlton last Wednesday, 59-37. Scoring remained close the first 16 minutes as the first quarter ended with a 12-12 tie and the second at 20-16, Presque Isle. However, after the halftime meeting the Wildcats pulled away for the finishing victory.
Captain Adam Kingsbury totaled 20 points, while Russ Mortland tallied up 13 with one three-point swoosh. Mortland also passed off the ball for a total of 10 assists.
Building on the momentum of their home win, Mortland shot five three-pointers in the 65-40 away win against Bucksport on Saturday.
Mortland ended the game with 21 points. Kingsbury had 15 points and seven rebounds.
The team shot 25 for 53 from the floor and 10 for 12 from the foul-line.
“We’re starting to shoot a little better,” commented head coach Tim Prescott after the game. “We had a huge third quarter.”
Hornets succeed from the outside
Ashland’s Tyler Cote shut down Van Buren’s Ben Doucette to help his team topple their opponents for their first home game of the regular season, 91-56.
“Our priority was to limit Doucette’s effectiveness by making him work hard to even get the ball, let alone get a shot off,” explained head coach Joel Hall. “Cote played his best basketball of the year. He was able to frustrate Doucette and keep him from getting easy shots.”
Cote also put in 19 points toward the Hornet score; four baskets from beyond the three-point arc. Jeremy Tarr had the team-high tally of 25 points, and Carl Nemer added 12. Van Buren’s defense concentrated on blocking post shooting, which left the outside offense free to take aim.
“This was a good win for our program,” commented Hall. “The boys are learning when to push the tempo and when to slow the ball down.”
The Hornet girls recovered from their loss to Central Aroostook last Wednesday to defeat Southern Aroostook at Dyer Brook, 48-45.
Ashland kept pace just behind the Warriors for the first three quarters, and pulled out in front in the remaining eight minutes for a current 3-1 record.
Two Hornet starters had fouled out of the game leaving the coaching staff to put in more inexperienced players, including freshman Rylee Graham. Graham and Suzie Poulin impressed head coach Bill Nemer with their assertive defense.
Whitney Flint sank two three-pointers for her 24-point game total.
She also hit a rewind-worthy shot from her knees in the Hornet effort. Mindy Chasse added 17 points.
