The County Youth Basketball of America (YBOA) girls’ basketball teams finished the first half of the state tournament in Waterville last weekend.
The 14-year-old squad’s first game against the Swish of Falmouth wasn’t even close as The County jumped out to a 25-10 halftime lead and won easily 64-35.
Chelsea Nickerson tossed in 15 points, while Kayla Richards netted 13 points and Casey Bonville had 11 more. Fort Fairfield’s Danielle Tracy added nine points for the winners.
Game two against the Augusta area team was a physical game. The County trailed 30-24 at the break.
According to coach David DeMerchant, the rebounding of Central Maine Starzz’s proved to be too much as The County suffered a 55-38 loss. The County went 22-of-39 from the free throw line, which was the difference in the final score.
Nickerson had 13 points, while Richards finished with six. Vicki McIntyre (Mars Hill), Bonville and Kristen Long (Mars Hill) all chipped in with five points each. The team’s record goes to 15-2.
The 16-year-olds played the always strong Maine Hoops from the Portland area and stayed with them throughout most of the game. But, playing with only six players, fatigue played a big part in the end, said coach DeMerchant, as The County lost 57-41.
Houlton’s Vanessa Sanderson pumped in 13 points, while Fort Kent’s Taylor Boucher and Houlton’s Martha McPartland scored nine apiece.
Game two against the Sanford Blue Wave was a game The County should have won, DeMerchant said.
Trailing the entire game, The County came back and took the lead with two minutes to go and had possession of the ball.
A last second 3-point shot came up short and The County suffered a 54-52 loss.
Sanderson fired in 22 points, while Boucher tossed in 11.
With two losses, The County had to win their third game to advance to the championship round. They next faced Biddeford. The County wasted no time getting the 35-25 halftime lead. The County slowly pulled a way in the second half for a 61-45 win behind Sanderson’s 14 points; Houlton’s Desiree Dow and McNally’s 12; Boucher’s nine; Thibodeau’s eight and McPartland’s six for a balanced attack. With The County’s win, and a Precision victory over the Blue Wave, all three teams ended with 1-2 records. The County advances to the championship round this weekend with an 8-3 record.
The 17-year-old team, featuring seniors from County high schools, with only one practice, tried one last time to make a name for themselves and did so quite well, according to coach DeMerchant.
In game one against the Triple Threat, The County was tied at halftime, 20-all. Baskets by Ashland’s Whitney Flint and Mars Hill’s Amber Bradley gave The County a 43-40 win.
Mars Hill’s Sarah Long scored 17 points, while Alex Dame of Mars Hill netted 10, along with six points apiece from Bradley and Flint.
In game two, Brewer was the next victim for The County. Pacing the County to a 42-27 win was Long with 21 points and Robin Graham of Mars Hill with five. Washburn’s, Erica McDougall chipped in with five, while Mars Hill’s Kayla Day was the leading rebounder in both game with 19 rebounds.
Their record is a perfect 2-0.
Contributed photo
WINNERS – The County, Youth Basketball of America, 16-year-old team won the Harbor House Shootout in MDI March 15 and 16. Playing for the team are, left to right, front, Olivia McNally, Breanna Thibodeau, Emily Pelletier and Martha McPartland; back, row Marissa Albert, manager; coach Bert Boucher, Vanessa Sanderson, Caitlyn Esancy, Taylor Boucher, Desiree Dow and coach Dave DeMerchant. 
