DANFORTH, Maine — The regular season began with a bang Friday evening as the Katahdin boys and girls basketball teams journeyed to East Grand to take on the Vikings.
A depleted Katahdin boys team rolled to a 73-27 victory over East Grand, despite the services of most of the team’s starting lineup. In the girls contest, Katahdin edged the Vikings 45-29.
In the boys game, a number of Cougar athletes were in quarantine in the days leading up to the season opener after being deemed a close contact to a person who tested positive for COVID-19.
The reserve players did not disappoint as they dominated against the Vikings. Katahdin led 17-8, 39-15 and 54-17 at the quarter breaks. It was in the third quarter where the Cougars shined defensively, allowing just two points for East Grand.
Jeffrey Martin and Wesley Pipes led the Cougars with 18 points each. Joshua Martin chipped in 12 points, while Connor Edwards added 11; Samuel Boone had seven; Kaiden Lane, three; and Cody Lane and Colin McNally both had two.
For East Grand, Derek Golding had 10 points, while Jatahaniel Lindsey added nine; Gabe O’Brien had six and Amos Lindsey added two.
In the girls contest, Katahdin grabbed a 12-2 lead in the first quarter and never looked back as the Cougars rolled to victory. Katahdin led 21-11 at the halftime break, but East Grand made things interesting in the third quarter as the Vikings cut the lead to single digits, 30-21.
Hunter Harstgrove led all players with 20 points to pace the Cougars. MaKayla Hartsgrove chipped in 14 points, while Shelby Libby added six and Avery Cullen had five.
For East Grand, Jayden Williams had eight points, Phoebe Foss chipped in seven; Emma Davis had six; Izzy Cowger four; and Madline Cowger and Victoria Gilman both had two.
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — Going in for a layup is Katahdin’s Samuel Boone (left) as East Grand’s Cameron Davis gives chase during Friday evening’s season-opening game in Danforth against East Grand. Katahdin won 73-27. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — East Grand’s Derek Golding (left) dribbles around Katahdin defender Kaiden Lane during Friday evening’s season-opening game in Danforth against East Grand. Katahdin won 73-27. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — Katahdin’s Hunter Hartsgrove (right) is swarmed by East Grand’s Phoebe Foss and Emma Davis during Friday evening’s season-opening game in Danforth against East Grand. Katahdin won 45-29. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — New Katahdin head coach Chris Cloukey speaks to Samuel Boone (left) and Connor Edwards during a break in the action of Friday night’s season-opening game in Danforth against East Grand. Katahdin won 73-27. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — East Grand’s Isabelle Cowger looks for an outlet pass after grabbing a rebound during Friday evening’s season-opening game in Danforth against Katahdin. Katahdin won 45-29. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — Katahdin’s Shelby Libby fires a pass to a teammate during Friday evening’s season-opening game in Danforth against East Grand. Katahdin won 45-29. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — Reaching for the opening tip at the start of Friday night’s season-opening game are East Grand’s Victoria Gilman (left) and Katahdin’s Hunter Hartsgrove. Katahdin beat East Grand 45-29. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DANFORTH, Maine — December 10, 2021 — Katahdin’s Makayla Hartsgrove (left) and East Grand’s Emma Davis battle for the ball during Friday evening’s season-opening basketball game. Katahdin won 45-29. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
