Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – The Wildcat and Viking boys went shot-for-shot in the opening minutes of last Wednesday’s rival rematch in the Big Blue house.
Matching move-for-move with attentive man-to-man defense Presque Isle and Caribou battled for dominance in an atmosphere tense with chanting fans.
On a waning first half clock, the Wildcats began to pull away for a 23-15 halftime lead. An offensive push in the second half claimed the win for PIHS, 48-29.
Wildcat head coach Tim Prescott named several players having the best game of their season as the deciding factor in the game. “Ethan Braley and Dillon Kingsbury played really well off the bench,” said Prescott.
Prescott also noted senior Nic Gallant, who had 12 points for PIHS, as key to the victory. Gallant sank a jumpshot in the last second of the third quarter to lay claim to the home court, and brought fans to their feet.
“It’s hard for people to know what a huge lift it is to have an atmosphere like that,” explained Prescott of the packed house. “It’s like a sixth person. It’s nice to be supported that way.”
Senior Adam Kingsbury continued to captain his team with 16 points and ripping away seven rebounds from Viking possession. Russ Mortland added another 10 points for Presque Isle.
Caribou senior Kyle Corrigan made a three-pointer toward his 15-point total leading the Viking offense.
“We didn’t make shots that we typically make,” noted CHS head coach Chris Casavant. “Defensively we were fine but offensively we just couldn’t get anything to fall.”
Accepting the defeat with under two minutes remaining both squads swapped out bench players that don’t normally see varsity game minutes to duke out the remainder of the game to a standing ovation. “
“We were down by 19 with two minutes to go, and you’re not going to make that up,” said Casavant. “So it’s nice to let those guys who we practice with and give them game time.”
The Presque Isle varsity girls dribbled to a quick advance against the Vikings in the rival rematch last Tuesday, Jan. 29th. Eyeing up their opponents the Wildcat fans bolstered the athletes to take an early lead.
However, in the fourth quarter, the Vikings pulled away in the closing minutes for a double-win over their rivals, 41-37.
“That was a good win for us,” said Caribou head coach Bill Schofield. “We needed it. It’s been a long time since we’ve beat Presque Isle twice in the regular season.”
Senior Amy Michaud put PIHS on the board first, stealing the ball from a CHS player, hammering home a layup and drawing a foul to shoot 100 percent for two more with 6:22 on the clock.
Wildcats attacked the Viking offense to secure four more steals as CHS athletes crossed the halfcourt mark.
In the second quarter, senior Viking Karyn King brought the Viking score up to tie the game 10-10, and then tipped it over to Caribou favor on the foul line.
“We’re coming to the end of her career and it’s time for her to step up,” said Schofield of his senior starter. “She’s rebounding well and shooting well too.”
The second half of play, Wildcat and Viking offense battled for dominance led by King on the maroon side and Sarah Porter on the white.
Porter sailed in three three-pointers toward a game-high 21 points and King bounced her baskets off the glass for 20 points.
Viking Katie Ouellette kept her hands in action to shutdown Presque Isle’s Allison Dean who only had one three-pointer in the game.
Ouellette’s defensive stamina, according to Schofield, played a key role in the CHS ability to secure the victory.
“If Ouellette hits a couple of threes as well as Porter it’s a different game,” said Schofield.
Wildcats dominate Lynx
Still energized from the defeat of their rivals, the Presque Isle boys went on to play their way past Mattanawcook on Saturday’s away game in Lincoln, 55-52. Neither team let the other rest with tight scores, but the Wildcat seniors pulled the home win away from the Lynx.
Mortland sailed in four three-point shots toward an 18-point total. A. Kingsbury sank two long-shots for a 17 point total.
The Mattanawcook girls laid claim to the Lynx court over Presque Isle, 71-37, in Saturday’s game at Lincoln.
Porter led the Wildcat effort with triple three-pointer success toward a 15-point total. Legassie netted another 10 for PIHS.
Contributed photo/Dave Allen Graphics
KNOCKING AWAY A SHOT by Caribou’s Kyle Corrigan, Wildcat Adam Kingsbury watches to see if the ball will sink or not in last Wednesday’s rematch.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
KAYLA LEGASSIE dribbles the ball up the court in the Caribou game. Legassie had 10 points in Saturday’s game against the Lynx at Lincoln.
Staff photo/ Meridith Paterson
SENIOR AMY MICHAUD takes a shot during the second rival game of the regular season against Caribou. The Vikings just toppedthe Wildcats with a late offensive surge.
