Staff Writer
ASHLAND – The number-five Ashland varsity girls pressed number-two Central Aroostook beyond the half-court Hornet logo to pull off an upset, 53-45, in heart-pumping Class D basketball Saturday night.
The crowds kept on edge as Ashland took an early lead and kept Central Aroostook fighting from behind and tallying up the fouls.
Five of the CAHS athletes had to take a seat as they fouled out of the heated game.
According to Central Aroostook head coach Rodney Codrey, Amber Bradley and the Hartin twins had success keeping back Ashland shooter Whitney Flint who had 12 points on the night. The Panthers attentive defense forced Flint to drive into the fray.
However, putting a Hornet on their home foul line proved the downfall of the game as Ashland shot 24 for 37 at the free throw line.
CAHS started to come back in the third quarter, but had to change defense to man-to-man causing even more foul trouble.
“I wasn’t very happy with out offensive play,” said Codrey. “We were shooting ourselves out of the game by shooting three-pointers … we had to work the ball around more to get a layup or somewhere from the inside.”
Hornet Mindy Chasse put in 12 points and snagged 13 rebounds, and Suzie Poulin sank 11 for Ashland. Crystal Cook shot for 10 points.
“We played hard the whole way,” said Hornet head coach Bill Nemer. “Everybody stepped up. We had six people score and four in double-digits.”
Panther Sarah Long captained the CAHS effort with nine points.
With the hometown crowd fired up from the girls’ upset, Ashland took the court with extra energy hoping to become Central Aroostook’s first defeat of the regular season.
The Hornets stung at the Panther full-court press, but CAHS had the eventual win, 63-60.
“In the third quarter, they came out stronger and it took us a little while to adjust to their defense adjustments,” commented Ashland head coach Joel Hall. “But it gives my guys confidence when they show they can compete with one of the best teams.”
According to Hall, the Hornets dealt well with the famous Panther pressure. “We had to preach patience on breaking their pressure defense, and we didn’t have as many turnovers.”
However, Ashland coaching staff hope to improve outside shooting percentages in their next game.
Cameron York led the top-ranked Panther offense with 24 points. Logan McCarthy slammed in another 14 points for CAHS.
In the Ashland column, Jeremy Tarr put in 16 points. Lucas Belanger drove up 10 points and took 12 rebounds. Justin Belanger laid in 11 points and grabbed 15 rebounds.
Ashland weekly wrap up
Senior point guard Flint, captained Ashland over the Limestone Eagles, 43-37.
Flint made the baskets for a game-high of 30 points for the Hornet swarm.
“Flint kind of single-handedly won the game up there for us,” said Nemer.
Limestone’s point guard Kellie Peers flew in the Eagle effort with 14 points. Stacy Bernier added another 10 for Limestone.
The Hornet boys went on a rampage at Danforth last Wednesday to defeat East Grand 70-56 after a full four quarters of swarming the basket.
Senior Cote shot up three three-pointers toward a 25-point total. L. Belanger worked under the basket to power up 15 points for Ashland.
BLAKE MCCARTHY of Central Aroostook.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
HORNET ON GUARD. Senior Whitney Flint moves to block Central Aroostook’s Brianna Hartin in Saturday’s game in Ashland.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
ROUNDING THE DEFENDER, Ashland’s Carl Nemer dribbles past CAHS athlete Manny Martinez in Saturday night action.
