’Cat basketball teams open regular season with wins

    The Presque Isle boys and girls basketball teams had a successful start to their season, both winning on the road at Old Town Saturday.
    The Wildcat boys needed overtime to defeat the Indians, 48-43. Nathan Ackerson was the hero in the extra session, scoring all five of his points.     Russ Mortland connected on four three-point field goals and had a team-best 16 points. Ethan Braley scored 15 for the Wildcats, who trailed by seven points at halftime.
    The PI girls had a much easier time in their game, prevailing 56-34. The Lady ’Cats actually trailed at the end of the first quarter, but were especially strong in the second and third quarters and took a 25-point lead into the final period. Coach Jeff Hudson said his team’s fullcourt defense was the key.
    “We wore them down with our pressure,” he said. “They threw the ball all over the gym.”
    Sarah Porter scored 21 points and Kayla Legassie added 19 for PI. Haley Johnston came off the bench to toss in eight.
    The Central Aroostook Panthers, the defending Class D state champions, were victorious Friday, opening with a 67-57 win at home over Katahdin.
    Caleb Kelly and Manny Martinez provided a majority of the offense for CA, with Kelly scored 24 points and Martinez 22.
    CA trailed by four points at halftime before outscoring the Cougars 20-9 in the third quarter to take control.
    Brandon Robinson, with 14 points, led a group of four Katahdin players who hit double figures.
    The Lady Panthers dropped its first game of the season Saturday, losing at home to Fort Fairfield, 52-39.
    The Ashland Hornets were also successful in their home debuts Friday against Wisdom. Lucas Hafford had 19 points and 19 rebounds to pace Ashland, with Jeremy Tarr and Tony Baker netting 21 and 14 points, respectively.
    Kurtis Daigle’s 14 points were tops for the Pioneers.
    The Ashland girls eased their way to a 46-8 win behind Suzie Poulin and Crystal Cook, who scored 10 points each.
    On Monday, the Lady Hornets dropped a 56-28 decision to Katahdin in Stacyville. Olivia McNally scorched the nets for 25 points to lead the Cougars to the win. Poulin had nine points for Ashland.
    The Washburn boys were beaten by Easton Friday, 47-41, in a game that was tied at halftime. Brad Trask scored 17 points for the Bears, while Nick McIntosh had 13 to key the Beavers’ attack.
    The Washburn girls lost to Southern Aroostook in Dyer Brook Saturday, 63-39. Lauren McGary had a huge game for the winners, totalling 23 points and 10 rebounds. Rebecca Campbell’s 20 points were tops for Washburn. Meghan Saucier was also in double figures with 10 points.
    The Fort Fairfield girls improved their record to 2-0, following up their victory on Saturday over Central Aroostook with a 52-40 home win over Madawaska Monday.   Amanda Hotham and Brooke Beaulieu were the leading scorers for Fort Fairfield against the visiting Owls with 16 points each.
    Kallie Pelletier had a team-high 15 for Madawaska.