Sports Editor
MARS HILL — Wednesday night was “Fan Appreciation” night at Central Aroostook High School and the Panther girls basketball team gave a packed house something to appreciate as CAHS (15-2) defeated previously unbeaten Fort Fairfield 51-27.
The Tigers (16-1) rebounded Saturday with a 65-31 victory over Wisdom and followed up with a 51-46 win over Madawaska Monday.
With the winner of Wednesday’s game likely to secure the No. 1 seed for the remainder of the season, the matchup between Fort Fairfield and Central Aroostook had a playoff atmosphere to it. After a relatively quite first quarter, that saw Fort Fairfield cling to a 6-5 lead, Central Aroostook exploded in the second quarter to take a commanding 24-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
“This loss could be a good thing for us,” Fort Fairfield coach Larry Gardner said. “I told the girls in the locker room, it is not the loss, it is how you handle the loss. This was the first time we’ve been behind at halftime all year long. We didn’t handle things as well as we should have, but you take it and learn from it.”
Panther Vicki McIntyre led the way with 21 points, including 13 in the second half, as CAHS collected its 15th consecutive win. McIntyre added 13 rebounds and seven steals. Panther Rachel Grew added 14 points, while Brianna Hartin chipped in six; Chelsea Hartin, four; and Olivia Garrison, two.
For Fort Fairfield, Courtney Churchill led the way with seven points, while Brooke Beaulieu added six; Amanda Hotham, five; Kelsie Wilson, four; Sydney Churchill, three; and Kacie York, two.
Grew opened the game with a 3-pointer as the Panthers were patient on offense, competing numerous passes before attempting their first shot. That strategy of working the ball around the top of the key was a main reason for such a low scoring first quarter.
Things heated up in the second frame as Central Aroostook began firing the ball faster, with CAHS outscoring Fort Fairfield 19-8. That scoring frenzy continued in the third quarter as the Panthers outscored Fort Fairfield 17-8 en route to the victory.
“I think as the game went on, and our shots were not falling, we got tighter,” coach Gardner said. “They [Central Aroostook] did a good job making their shots tonight. They are the No. 1 team for a reason, but we’ll see what happens come tournament time.”
Fort Fairfield 65, Wisdom 31 — At St. Agatha Saturday, Fort Fairfield rebounded to a lopsided victory over Widsom. Tiger Hotham poured in 22 points to spark Fort Fairfield past Wisdom. Courtney Churchill added 14 points for the Tigers; while Brooke Beaulieu chipped in 11; Dani Shaw, six; Tracy, McGillan and Pelkey each three; York, two; and Turner, one.
Fort Fairfield led 18-9, 43-16 and 54-22 at the quarter breaks.
Fort Fairfield 51, Madawaska 46 — At Fort Fairfield Monday, Hotham scored eight points in the fourth quarter and finished with 25 to lead Fort Fairfield past Madawaska. C. Churchill added nine points, while S. Churchill chipped in six; Beaulieu, five; Wilson, four; and Tracy, two.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
PULL-UP JUMPER —Rachel Grew, left, of Central Aroostook pulls up for a short-range jumper during a game against Fort Fairfield last Wednesday. Defending on the play is Tiger Sydney Churchill. CAHS defeated previously-unbeaten Fort Fairfield 51-27.
