YBOA team falls in semifinals

    BANGOR – After plowing through the competition to the semifinals of the Youth Basketball Organization of America Husson College tournament over the weekend.     The Aroostook County team just fell short of the final match when the Bangor center sank a shot for a one-point lead with three seconds remaining.
    The YBOA Aroostook girls’ team knew they had a challenge going into the semifinal matchup against Bangor with their 6-foot 2-inch center.
    The County squad trailed 21-13 at the half. However, the girls stayed cool and drained eight of nine foul shots along with a hard-nosed press to gain a lead with 12 seconds remaining.
    Amanda Hotham, of Fort Fairfield, netted a jumper and Alexa Massey, of Caribou, put up two foul shots to take the 31-30 advance before the Bangor center’s game-winning basket.
    The Aroostook squad defeated Bangor in their first game of the tourney, 26-25.
    Top scorers were Chelsea Nickerson with nine points and Massey with six points. Casey Bonville (Presque Isle) and Massey sailed in critical free throws in the victory.
    The team dominated over the Sparks in game two with all 10 players scoring toward at 51-13 final score. Nickerson, Vicki McIntyre (Mars Hill) and Brooke Labelle (Ashland) all had eight points each.
    Game four proved a higher-pressure match against Lincoln. The County had a one-point lead, 13-12, at the half and went on to take the victory, 29-21. McIntyre took top scoring honors with 10 points, all in the first half.
    The County came up against Hampden in the quarterfinals, and demolished the Broncos, 43-26. Nickerson and Hotham had eight points. Kayla Richards (Presque Isle) put up six points.
    Rebecca McDougall (Caribou) ripped down 48 rebounds in all six games.
    “The team played great all weekend considering it was their first real tournament after only two practices,” said coach Dave DeMerchant. “There is a lot of talent here and they are only going to get better.”