AYBL 7-8 grade boys runners-up in Bangor

Bouchard named tourney MVP
    The Houlton 7-8 grade boys Aroostook Youth Basketball League team traveled to the Bangor YMCA Tournament to play against stiff competition. The Houlton boys were runners-up to Bangor 47-46 and Kyle Bouchard was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
    Teams participating in the “A” Division of the tournament were Houlton, Bangor, Ellsworth, Messalonskee, Auburn, Hampden 7, Brewer, Falmouth, Hampden 8, Winslow, Augusta and Caribou.
Kyle Bouchard
    In the team’s first Pool Play game, Houlton topped Falmouth, 65-38 behind double-figuring scoring from Bouchard who had 24 and Daniel Howe’s 18. Jake Condon tossed in eight, while Noah Holmes netted five; Jake Drew and Christian Crane each added four and Garrett Putnam chipped in with a hoop.
    In their next Pool Play game, Houlton defeated Brewer, 61-49.
    Bouchard was game-high scorer with 26 points, while Howe tallied 11; Holmes, 10; Drew and Crane each had four points. Putnam and Ryan Dee each chipped in with two points.
    In their third game of Pool Play, Houlton squeaked by Hampden, 57-56.
    Bouchard and Howe each hit double-figures with 22 and 10 points, respectively. Others scoring were Drew and Crane each with eight points; Putnam, six points and Condon three more.
    Houlton made it into the semifinals to face Auburn. The Shiretowners picked up a 60-47 win behind Bouchard’s 29 points. Howe tossed in 13; Drew had eight; Holmes and Crane each netted four and Putnam chipped in with two.
    The Houlton boys had a tough loss in the championship game to Bangor, as they led 25-19 after the first half.
    Howe was Houlton’s top scorer with 17 points, while Drew tossed in 11 and Bouchard added 10. Putnam finished with six and Holmes a hoop.