Sports Reporter
The Presque Isle Wildcats and Caribou Vikings each experienced successful home openers, as the Wildcats defeated the Hermon Hawks and the Vikings bested Bucksport. Both teams have busy schedules this week, with the Wildcats on the road for games tonight (Houlton), Friday (Mattanawcook) and Saturday (Old Town), before facing off against each other in Caribou’s gym on Dec. 16.
Easton also utilized its homecourt advantage Friday with a 12-point win over Washburn, while Central Aroostook and Ashland were both impressive in their season debuts Friday, chalking up road victories over Katahdin and Wisdom, respectively. Rivals Southern Aroostook and Central Aroostook square off in Mars Hill Friday at 7 p.m.
Fort Fairfield played its first game last night and has an important early-season test at Madawaska Thursday.
The following are summaries of games played through Monday, Dec. 7.
GHCA 70, Easton 55 – At Easton Monday, the visiting Eagles overcame a three-point deficit at halftime with a big third quarter, and as a result moved to 2-0 on the season.
Four GHCA players reached double figures, led by Chad Duff’s 16 points. The Eagles outscored the Bears 21-7 in the third to take control.
Reid Clark, a sophomore, scored 16 points to pace Easton’s offense, while Luke Fuller and Jonah Bacon each tossed in eight.
Presque Isle 57, Hermon 49 – At Presque Isle Saturday in the Wildcats’ regular season opener, Travis Dyer scored 22 points, 10 in the second period which saw the ’Cats turn a six-point deficit into a five-point lead, as Presque Isle came out on top.
Dillon Kingsbury scored 13 points and Ethan Braley grabbed 14 rebounds for PI. Nate Ackerson had 10 points, four assists and three steals for the winners.
Taylor Gross nailed five three-pointers en route to a 23-point total for the Hawks, who were also playing their first game.
Easton 70, Washburn 58 – At Easton Friday, the Bears got off to a quick start and held the lead throughout to prevail in their home and season opener.
Clark scored 15 points, while Cody Tompkins came off the bench to contribute 14. Luke Boudreau also tossed in 14 and Holden Turner, another reserve, added 10.
Freshman Mitch Worcester paced the Beavers with 23 points, 12 coming from the free throw line. Jordan McLaughlin netted 15 points and Chase Chandler chipped in with 10 more.
The game was sloppy, with 48 fouls committed between the two teams and a total of 60 free throws taken.
Ashland 47, Wisdom 37 – At St. Agatha Friday, Lucas Hafford and Kenny Tarr had strong offensive outings with 18 points each, leading the Hornets to the win.
The two combined for 15 points in the final quarter to wipe out Wisdom’s four-point lead at that juncture.
Curtis Picard scored 19 points for the Pioneers.
Central Aroostook 61, Katahdin 44 – At Stacyville Friday, the Panthers built a 16-point halftime lead and coasted to the victory.
Mike McClung was strong inside and powered in 19 points to lead CA’s attack. Logan McLaughlin scored 13 points and Brendan York added 11 for coach Tim Brewer’s squad.
Brandon Robinson scored 19 points to lead the Cougars’ offense.
Staff photo/Gloria Austin
