Guiod’s clutch 3-pointer lifts Shires

    Houlton’s Nick Guiod was unsure when the ball left his hand if had won or lost the Class C semifinal game for the Houlton Shiretowners. With 9.7 seconds, Houlton coach Rob Moran called a timeout with Mattanawcook Academy leading, 39-37.
    Moran wanted the ball in captain Kyle Bouchard’s hands to either shoot or create an opening for a teammate. Bouchard stayed at the top of the key and when he was double-teamed, he somehow saw Guiod open.  With two Mattanawcook Academy defenders flying at him, Guiod let the ball sail from behind the arc and it hit its mark for a dramatic 40-39 Houlton victory and very well the shot of the tournament.
    “It was a great pass,” said Moran. “It was a clutch shot.”
    Bouchard finished with 20 points, while Dickison tossed in eight points and Guiod had seven points.
Houlton Pioneer Times photograph/Gloria Austin
CELEBRATING — Houlton’s Nick Guiod, left, is hoisted in the air by teammates Christian Crane and No. 42 Cody Woods, as they celebrate with the fans after the buzzer-beating shot to give them a one-point win over Mattanawcook Academy in the Class C semis.
    After a lackluster first half, 22-11, the Shiretowners outscored the Lynx 17-2 in the third behind Bouchard, who racked up 12 of those points.
    “The first half we didn’t play as well as we are capable of,” said Moran. “We were dealing with nerves that game. But, Doug [Dickison] kept us in the game with steals and layups. We played pretty good defense, but a few trips we gave up layups. We wanted to clean that up and get out for some transition points and execute our half-court offense.”
    The Shiretowners pulled to within three points, 24-21, when Bouchard completed a four-point play, as he was fouled on a made 3-pointer and hit the extra point.
    “There were times when the guys could have given up,” said Moran. “For as young a team as we are, their basketball maturity showed. It was amazing. They held their composure down the stretch.”
    The Shires grabbed the lead, 25-24, with 1:19 left in the third when Dickison rebounded and scored. The Shires climbed to a six-point lead, 35-29 on a Guiod layup.
    “We challenged them in the fourth,” said Moran. “But, Mattanawcook is a great team and credit their defense.”
    Behind their defensive full-court pressure, the Lynx cut into the lead and with 1:57 left in the game, Mattanawcook Academy trailed by a point, 37-36.
    “We struggled with their press,” Moran said. “We rushed things against the pressure. I am proud of the kids. They worked hard. What a wonderful ride.”
    The Shires graduate three seniors, Dickison, Zach Harvey and Cody Woods. They finish the year 11-11.