FORT FAIRFIELD — For the third consecutive year, the Caribou Vikings came away as the grades 5-6 Northern Maine Community Recreation Association girls’ County basketball champions.
In the first game of the tournament, Caribou was matched up with Mars Hill. The Vikings used a very balanced offensive attack, placing seven of their 11 players in the scoring column. Kassie Krul led the way with 13 points, followed by Kimmy Susi, Taylor Skidgel, Brooke Haney, Kaylyn Krul, Riley McNeal and Maddy Jandreau all scoring baskets to pick up a 25-12 win.
Contributed photo
Members of the Caribou girls’ basketball team that won the NMCRA championship in Fort Fairfield March 9 were, in front from left, Kimmy Susi, Taylor Skidgel, Kaylyn Krul, Alexis Heidorn, Paige Espling and Madison Stratton. Back row, coach Arik Jepson, Riley McNeal, Brooke Haney, Kassie Krul, Madison Jandreau, Alexis Rodriguez and coach Katie Ouellette.
Caribou then moved on to play Washburn in one of the semi-final games. The Lady Vikings used a combination of shutdown defense and timely offense to pick up the 34-8 victory. Contributing on the offensive end were Skidgel, Haney, Paige Espling, Kaylyn Krul, Alexis Rodriguez, Kassie Krul and Jandreau. Playing well defensively while forcing multiple turnovers were Madison Stratton, McNeal, Susi and Lexi Heidorn.
The championship game saw county rivals, Caribou and Presque Isle battling against each other for the title.
At the end of the first quarter, the score was tied 4-4. In the second quarter, Caribou outscored PI, 8-2, and held a 12-6 halftime lead. Caribou poured on the offense in the second half scoring eight and nine points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
On the defensive end, the Lady Vikings played suffocating defense in the second half and held the Wildcats scoreless to pick up a 29-6 win to retain the championship. Scoring for the Vikings were Kassie Krul with 11; Skidgel, Kaylyn Krul and Jandreau each with four; and Susi, Haney and Heidorn each with a field goal.
The Vikings ended with an overall record of 13-0 on the season.
