Staff Writer
WASHBURN – Beaver and Bear fans split the Washburn District High School gymnasium to cheer for their boys’ and girls’ team in a classic double-header on Friday night.
The Washburn boys rampaged the court, hungry for a home victory and tossed in the first five points of the game before Easton could get on the board.
“They challenged us and that’s what we need day-in and day-out,” said Easton head coach Travis Carter. “We’re starting a little bit slow and finishing stronger.”
Easton’s fullcourt pressure tested Washburn’s passing skills, as the Bears fought back for control of the game after WDHS led at the first quarter. Easton’s coaching staff were very impressed with the young team working so well together.
“We weren’t getting good looks but we weren’t turning the ball over,” said Washburn head coach Randy Norsworthy about Easton’s defensive pressure.
In the second quarter, the Beavers again took an early jump on the basket to make an eight-point run stopped by Bear Nate Sanders.
Easton got their bearings on the unfamiliar court from this point to take home a 55-38 victory.
“We seem to start well in the first quarter and two or three minutes in the second, and then lose it from there,” commented Norsworthy. Coaching staff continue to work on this with their squad.
Sanders led Easton firing up 16 points while Jeremy Brock shot in another 14 points for Easton.
Nick McIntosh sailed in the game-high 20 points on Washburn’s side.
The Easton girls kept up a hard-fought battle against the Washburn squad, but eventually fell to their number-one ranked skills, 54-7.
Kelsee McLaughlin popped in 14 points for Washburn.
Van Buren capitulates to Washburn girls
Freshman Rebecca Campbell led the Beavers to their 13th victory at Van Buren on Saturday with 18 points toward the 52-23 final.
Campbell dominated outside with four three-pointers.
Rachel Palmer drove up another 10 points for WDHS.
Junior McIntosh shot for the game-high 32 points in the Beaver defeat to Van Buren on Saturday, 72-54.
The Beavers kept up a furious fight from behind in all four quarters. McIntosh put in triple three-pointers.
WDHS defeats GHCA
Washburn’s girls’ varsity basketball squad had the final say against Greater Houlton Christian Academy on Tuesday, Jan. 22. The Beavers learned from the previous loss at the University of Maine at Presque Isle court to defeat GHCA, 41-40.
Senior center Palmer tipped up the final two-pointer that gave the Beavers the winning advantage with only seconds remaining. Palmer tore down a total of eight rebounds for WDHS.
Fellow senior McLaughlin shot for the team-high 13 points and boxed-out for nine rebounds. Erica McDougall grabbed 10 rebounds.
The Washburn boys also had the triumph over GHCA, 57-36. Connor Fitzpatrick sailed in a team-high 21 points, and McIntosh popped in 19 points including three three-pointers.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
A BATTLE OF THE JUNIORS. Washburn’s Nick McIntosh tries to dribble around Easton’s Sam Bacon in last Friday’s game.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
CHASING DOWN THE SHOOTER, Easton’s Brooke Lunney and Jessica Manson sprint after Washburn’s Erica McDougall.
