Hornets expose Eagle defense

15 years ago

Girls basketball

By Joseph Cyr
Sports Editor

    ASHLAND — The Ashland girls basketball team was challenged Friday evening by coach Kevin Paradis to do something the team had struggled with all season – penetrate with the basketball. 

    The Hornets answered that challenge with a 43-27 victory over Limestone-MSSM that saw Ashland score many of its points by attacking the basket.
    Ashland did not have much time to enjoy its win over the Eagles as the Hornets fell 51-23 to Central Aroostook Saturday and followed up with a 31-23 loss to Washburn Monday.
    Still, the Hornets are all but assured a spot in the upcoming postseason. Ashland (7-7) was eighth in Eastern Class D as of Tuesday morning.
    “I think we are solidly in the top 10, but I would like to see us get up into the top six to avoid a prelim,” Paradis said.
    Ashland has three games remaining on its schedule — at Katahdin Thursday, hosting Southern Aroostook Feb. 3 and a rematch with Limestone-MSSM Feb. 5 to end the season.
    In Friday’s game, Taylor Baker netted 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lift Ashland to victory. Macie Pelkey added 10 points.
    For Limestone-MSSM, Jasmine Cote led the way with seven points.
    “I was glad they played man-to-man against us tonight,” Ashland coach Paradis said. “Greater Houlton Christian played us man earlier [in the season] and we struggled with it, but tonight we took the ball strong to the basket.”
    Ashland switched to a 1-3-1-zone defense in the second half and Limestone-MSSM struggled to adjust.
    “I think we also got them into foul trouble which helped,” coach Paradis said. “Our help off the bench was excellent tonight and we didn’t have many turnovers.”
Other action
    On Saturday, Limestone-MSSM notched a 49-39 road victory over Easton (6-9). Chelsea Leighton led the Eagles with 10 points.
    Carla Halvorson led Easton with a game-high 16 points.         Ashland struggled against Central Aroostook (13-2), falling 51-23 at home Saturday. McIntyre netted 14 points for the Panthers, while Chelsea Hartin added 12 points and Rachel Grew 11.
     For the Hornets, Pelkey led the way with six points.
    On Monday, Ashland had difficulty scoring for the second straight game, this time falling to Washburn 31-23 at home. Donovan paced the Hornets with six points.
    For Washburn (9-4), Rayah Saucier scored 12 points, while Becca Campbell added 11.    

 

ImageStaff photo/Joseph Cyr

    OUT OF BOUNDS — Ashland’s Taylor Baker, right, and Limestone-MSSM’s Stephanie Leighton try to keep the ball from going out of bounds during Friday night’s game in Ashland.