Staff Writer
CARIBOU – The Viking and Warrior tipoff of last Wednesday’s boys’ basketball match began a battle for the points.
Both squads had a hunger for a victory to boost their Heal Point Standings, but the Vikings proved they had the upperhand on their home court with the 86-58 final.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson Driving in for two, Jarryd Rossignol steps to shoot over his Fort Kent defender, Joseph Soucy, in last Wednesday’s home game.
The Vikings paced a rapid game as both teams played a fullcourt press, trying to force turnovers and gain an early lead. Caribou shot onto the scoreboard first when point guard Kyle Corrigan nailed a two-pointer, and Cameron Anderson laid in another two and drew the foul.
In the second quarter, Fort Kent’s offense led a Warrior surge to close in on the CHS score. Head coach Chris Casavant called for a timeout to stop action and regroup. “We made some adjustments in the press and the offense,” said Casavant, of the short talk.
In the remaining seconds of the first half, senior Corrigan kept the score gap, driving for the hoop and keeping accurate at the free throw line, while teammate Jarryd Rossignol tacked up two three-pointers.
At the half, Casavant emphasized making their game play less like the NBA.
“We needed more passing, cutting and screening, and we needed to stop trying to go one-on-one all the time,” explained Casavant.
While Fort Kent managed to make up the points to within four of CHS in the third quarter, the game plan worked for the Vikings under the leadership of Corrigan and Rossignol.
Senior Rossignol tallied up 35 points and six three-pointers in the game.
Corrigan plowed up another 27 points for the Vikings, and shot 8 for 9 from the foul line.
Vikings press back Hermon
The Caribou girls stormed out from the tipoff and stunned their opponents with their offensive edge to take a 57-53 victory on Saturday at Hermon.
In first quarter action, Amanda Cyr put up and sank four three-pointers to help lead the Vikings to a 15-point lead. CHS continued to drill at the Hermon defense for the eventual victory.
“Great team defense with patience and execution on offense were the keys to the game,” said head coach Bill Schofield.
Cyr finished the night with 12 points and four rebounds. Senior Karyn King captained the defense and offense with 14 points, seven rebounds and three steals for the Vikings. Kristen Espling put in 12 points and snatched five rebounds.
Ali Richards showed her all-around strengths with nine points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals.
“Richards really played well in the third and fourth quarters defensively and offensively,” commented Schofield. “Driving to the basket and getting fouled or dishing it out when Hermon was making a run helped to weather the storm.”
Cyr later got into foul trouble and freshman Jenna Selander stepped into the point position with confidence.
“This was an outstanding win for our program,” said Schofield. “Beating them gives us confidence and momentum to finish out the year as well as a good amount of Heal Points to help in our quest for a tournament berth.”
Ben Rosser led another maroon triumph on the day, as CHS defeated Hermon, 69-61.
The Vikings took a first-quarter lead and never relinquished to their opponents.
Rosser put up 29 points, and Corrigan plowed in another 12 for CHS. Rossignol shot for 10 points.
