Shires knock off Orono

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    BANGOR — Is a new Cinderella story about to be written? The Houlton girls basketball team certainly hopes so.
    No. 8 Houlton (14-6 overall) pulled off a thrilling last-second victory over No. 1 Orono 45-44 Tuesday evening in an Eastern Class C quarterfinal. With the win, the Shires advance to Friday’s semifinal against No. 4 Stearns at 8:35 p.m. Orono finishes with a 15-4 record.
    Houlton’s Samantha Keegan produced the game winning shot with 3 seconds to play giving Houlton the one point victory. Keegan shot, a desperation throw in from around the free throw line banked off the glass and in.
Houlton Pioneer Times Photo/Joseph Cyr
GAME WINNER! — Houlton’s Samantha Keegan gets swarmed by her teammates after she sank the game-winning shot in Tuesday’s  playoff game in Bangor. No. 8 Houlton beat No. 1 Orono 45-44.
    “Sam takes that shot even though I was screaming to her to kick the ball out,” Houlton coach Shawn Graham said. “I don’t think she called ‘bank’ that’s for sure.”
    Orono alertly called timeout, but the call was not immediately seen by the referees, resulting in a conference with the coaches. After a lengthy discussion, three seconds were put back on the clock with Orono given possession of the ball at half-court. The Red Riots were unable to get a good look at the basket as a “Hail Mary” shot from outside the 3-point arc clanged off the mark giving Houlton the improbable win.
    “That was the luckiest shot of my life,” Keegan said. “I didn’t even see the basket. I just threw it up and somehow it went in.”
    Amanda Fogarty led the Shires with 19 points, while Marina Cameron added 10. For Orono, Jillian Woodward netted 17 points.
    The Shires led for most of the game, only to see Orono take a 44-43 lead with 13 seconds to go.
    A more detailed version of the game will appear in next week’s paper.