FORT KENT, Maine — Hunter Burpee scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Southern Aroostook boys basketball team to a 59-47 win over previously unbeaten Fort Kent Saturday, Jan. 22, in Dyer Brook.
“What contributed to the loss was that we got beat by a really good team. We had our chances and just couldn’t get the ball to go down,” Fort Kent coach Chad Cyr said after his team fell to 11-1 on the season. “Southern Aroostook deserves the credit for winning that game. They are well coached and great kids who were more determined to win on Saturday.”
The Warriors from both ends of The County met up twice this season, with Fort Kent winning the first game at home, Southern Aroostook’s only loss as of Saturday’s game.
Graham Siltz goes up for a shot while several Fort Kent players defend during a game in Dyer Brook on Saturday, Jan. 22. (Courtesy of Candy Nevers)
Southern Aroostook coach Brett Russell had a plan going into the second meeting, utilizing man-to-man full-court pressure and a 2-2-1 half-court trap.
“We knew it was going to be a battle from start to finish,” Russell said. “Our outlook was to come out and pressure them from the start in this game with everyone back in the rotation for us.”
Russell said his plan also included paying close attention to Austin Delisle, who was instrumental in defeating Southern Aroostook in game one. “I thought the guys did a great job and it didn’t hurt having the length of Graham Siltz at the rim to meet him,” Russell said.
Siltz, who did not play in the first Warriors’ matchup, scored 15 points for Southern Aroostook. Drake Weston contributed a big 12 points off the bench in 3-pointers.
“It was a great team effort by our guys,” Russell said.
Delisle led Fort Kent with 16 points followed by Keegan Cyr with 11.
Russell said with the teams’ battles against one another being complete for the season, he and his team wish the northernmost Warriors success.
“We also will be rooting them on in the tournament as they will be a tough out for sure,” Russell said.
The teams will not meet up in the postseason, with Fort Kent being in Class C and Southern Aroostook, Class D.
Cyr said each member of his team gave 100 percent, and that is all anyone can ask.
“I told them that as a coach there were things I may have been able to do differently to prepare them, or say to help them through the game and to not carry the whole burden,” Cyr said. “Losing a game is just a stepping stone to improving and we will make every effort to continue to improve for the rest of the season.”
