Staff Writer
ASHLAND – Hornet Tyler Cote swooshed three foul shots in the remaining minutes of the first quarter to tip the score in Ashland’s favor, 16-13, toward the final win against Southern Aroostook last Wednesday at Ashland, 76-68.
Members of both teams went to the free-throw line multiple times, as several players had early foul trouble in the heated match. Ashland’s composure at the foulline kept them in the lead for 31-30 at the half. Southern Aroostook fought back to one-up their opponents 47-46 at the end of the third, but the Hornet free-throw finesse put them back on top in the fourth quarter. Jeremy Tarr made 11 of 12 shots at the foulline.
Senior Lucas Belanger dominated in the post and led Ashland scoring with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Tarr totaled 22 points. Cote put in two three-pointers for a 16 point game. Justin Belanger also towered on the inside with 13 points and eight rebounds.
The Ashland boys met against Greater Houlton Christian Academy on a college court at the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Tuesday, Dec. 18. The Hornets flew to an early and overwhelming lead that ended with an eventual 82-40 final in the orange favor.
Tarr shot for 18 points. Cote arched in two three-pointers for a 15 point total. Lucas Belanger and Justin Belanger added 10 points each to the Ashland score and had eight and six rebounds, respectively.
“Ashland had strong first and third quarters,” said head coach Joel Hall. “We outscored GHCA 23-7 in the first and 27-10 in the third.”
Ashland girls’ head coach Bill Nemer hoped that the winter vacation would give the Hornets a chance to recuperate and come back on the attack after their loss to Greater Houlton Christian Academy on Tuesday, Dec. 18 with a 50-26 final score.
“We’ve got to get our confidence back,” commented Nemer.
The Hornets had foul trouble in the third quarter when senior starter Mindy Chasse had to leave the game.
Chasse and Whitney Flint added 10 points each for the team-highs in scoring.
Houlton triple-teams Kingsbury
The Houlton Shiretowners went onto the court to shut down senior Wildcat Adam Kingsbury in last Wednesday’s game at Houlton. The defensive pressure kept Kingsbury’s scoring to a minimum, and gave Houlton the leeway to come out on top, 45-28.
“They put two people on him all the time and sometimes even three,” explained head coach Tim Prescott. “The other players didn’t take the opportunity to shoot the ball.”
PIHS had only two points to make up at the end of the first, but couldn’t rally as Houlton expanded the gap. Nic Gallant put up two three-pointers, and Russ Mortland posted 15 points as the Wildcats suffered their first defeat of the season.
According to Prescott, Mortland led the team that night. “He generated the offense,” commented Prescott, “but when you play a team sport the other team will dictate the opportunities you get and you have to take advantage of that.”
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
WITH AN EYE FOR THE BALL, Ashland’s Tyler Cote looks for an opportunity to steal from Dakota Sleeper last Wednesday.
