Panthers top Patriots
Sports Reporter
BANGOR – Defense has been the trademark of the Central Aroostook Panthers throughout the season. On Thursday, in the Eastern Maine Class D semifinals, the team proved that out once again.
The No. 1-ranked Panthers smothered Bangor Christian from the opening tap, forcing several turnovers and rushed shots with their active 2-3 halfcourt zone, en route to a 44-29 victory.
“We know we have to cover each other and spread out,” said junior Kristen Long. “We’re quick and can get to all the areas of the floor, plus we know what each person can do as a teammate.”
Long was responsible for getting her team off to a good start on the offensive end. Recognizing a mismatch, CA coach Rod Codrey told Long to be aggressive with the ball and she responded.
Long is generally not a primary scoring option for the Panthers, but she scored eight of her team’s first 12 points, including a conventional three-point play and a pair of layups – the first coming in the final 45 seconds of the first quarter and the other 15 seconds into the second quarter. The unexpected explosion put CA in front 14-6.
“He said I should probably start shooting more,” Long said. “I just took it to the hole every time.”
Following a timeout, Bangor Christian scored seven consecutive points to get back to within a point, but CA’s top offensive weapons wrapped up the half with big plays to get the lead back to seven at the half. Rachael Grew fired in a three-pointer before Vicki McIntyre grabbed an offensive rebound, hit the ensuing shot while getting fouled and added the free throw to put the momentum back in the Panthers’ favor.
Whitney Holmes hit a perimeter shot with 5:05 left in the third quarter to allow BC to climb back within three at 22-19, but the Panthers went on a 10-2 run for the remainder of the quarter, with McIntyre notching the first seven before Chelsea Hartin drained a three to clinch the rally.
Central Aroostook wasn’t contested over the final eight minutes, leading by as many as 18 points before settling for the final 15-point spread.
“Their athleticism took over in the second half,” said Bangor Christian coach Phil Robinson. “They have five really good athletes.
“We knew they had to be off a little bit and we had to be on our game, but it just didn’t work out that way.”
McIntyre scored a game-high 20 points for CA, with Grew netting nine more.
Emma Johnson had 10 points and Meredith Bean notched nine for 16-4 Bangor Christian.
