By Joe Cyr and Jon Gulliver
Staff writers
Hodgdon 63, Limestone MSSM 60 — It is a common cliché to say that the team that makes its free throws often comes away victorious.
But that is precisely what happened Feb. 14 as the No. 7 Hodgdon girls held off No. 10 Limestone-MSSM 63-60 in an Eastern Class D preliminary playoff.
Aroostook Republican photo/Joseph Cyr
Taking the ball strong to the hoop is Eagle Daniele Pelkey, left, while guarded by Hodgdon’s Lacey McQuarrie.
Hodgdon (11-8 overall) sank an impressive 19-of-27 free throws (70 percent), while Limestone-MSSM (9-10) made just 14-of 27 foul shots (52 percent). None of the free throws for Hodgdon were any bigger than the two that Hawk junior Jenna Steamer converted with 7.2 second to play, giving Hodgdon its decisive three-point lead.
Limestone-MSSM was unable to get off a 3-point shot before time expired.
“Those free throws were huge,” Hodgdon coach Vaughn Farrar said. “If she were to miss those, who’s to say Limestone doesn’t come down and hit a three and it’s game over.”
For the Eagles, Melissa Cantafio led the way with 16 points, including four 3-pointers; Stephanie Leighton chipped in 11 points; Amanda Allen, nine; Daniele Pelkey and Alexis Bell, eight each; Jordyn Hopkins, four; and Mariah Williams, two.
Southern Aroostook 66, Fort Fairfield 65 — Most folks thought the Southern Aroostook Warriors, the 15th seed in the postseason, had no shot at winning their preliminary game on the road against the second ranked Fort Fairfield Tigers, but somebody forgot to tell Southern Aroostook. The Warriors came to play and scored a stunning upset in overtime over the Tigers, 66-65.
Jessica Tucker scored 31 points — including seven 3-pointers — to pace the Warriors. Sable Altvater had 12 points for 9-10 Southern Aroostook.
Fort Fairfield (14-5) was led by Amanda Hotham with 23 points followed by Jessica Goshorn with nine, Sydney Churchill with eight and Logan Bubar with seven points.
Shead 52, Easton 35 — At Eastport Feb. 14, Randi DeWitt’s 13-point, eight-rebound effort sparked the No. 5 Tigerettes into the quarterfinals.
Mariah Cyr led a balanced performance by No. 12 Easton (10-9) with 10 points and three steals. Carla Halvorson provided nine points and four rebounds and Kylee Carter added eight points, four assists and five steals.
Central Aroostook 75, Machias 27 — At Mars Hill Feb. 14, Central Aroostook’s Rachel Grew set a postseason record by draining seven three-pointers en route to 27 points as the third-seeded Panthers beat Machias (No. 14) by nearly 50 points.
“We came ready to play that night,” said first-year Central Aroostook coach Stori Shaw. “Rachel shot the ball really well and we boxed out and played well inside.”
Victoria McIntyre filled up the state sheet once again, scoring 17 points, with eight rebounds and five steals. Kayla Cushman had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Sarah Grass chipped in with 10 points.
