Local schoolboy basketball squads were busy Wednesday, Feb. 16, trying to earn a spot in the MPA tournament at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. The tournament begins Friday, Feb. 18, with Class B games and continues Saturday, Feb. 19, with Class B and D games.
The tourney continues the week of Feb. 21-25, with regional championships slated for Saturday Feb. 26.
The following is a recap of games for local squads.
Jonesport-Beals 60, Easton 44 — At Jonesport, the No. 8 Royals improved to 9-10 on the year with a win over No. 9 Easton (6-12). Jonesport-Beals led 16-12, 31-17 and 47-34 at the quarter breaks.
For Easton, Ben Whipperman had 15 points; Evan Carver added 13; Sweeney, six; Lamoreux, five; Brewer, three; and Pelleiter, two.
For Jonesport-Beals, Damon Beal led all players with 24 points, Garrett Libby added 14 and Brevan Kenney had 12.
STACYVILLE, Maine — February 16, 2022 — Katahdin’s Grady Ritchie soars to the basket over a Washburn defender during Wednesday’s Class D North prelim. Katahdin won 48-34. (Photo courtesy of Beth Somers)
Katahdin 48, Washburn 34 — At Stacyville, The No. 7 Cougars (10-9) were victorious in a Class D prelim over the No. 10 Washburn Beavers (3-15). With the win, Katahdin advances to the Class D North quarterfinals where it will face No. 2 Southern Aroostook (16-1), 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21.
For Washburn, Beckam Vaughn led the team with 11 points, followed by Parker Corey with nine and Derek Cruz with five. Tyler Hart added another four, Mitch Turner scored three and Garrett Plourde chipped in two.
For Katahdin, Justin Hurlbert led the team with 21 points, followed by Grady Ritchie with 13 and Joshua Martin with seven. Jeffrey Martin added another five and Eric Cummings chipped in two.
Penobscot Valley 49, Fort Fairfield 37 — At Fort Fairfield, the No. 10 Howlers (9-8) upset the No. 7 Tigers (10-8 overall) in a Class C North prelim.
For Fort Fairfield, Blake Senal led the team with 14 points, followed by Chase Coily with 10 and Eli Lyond with six. Josh Gill added another three points, Dominick Barnes scored two and both Micah Daigle and Zak Gerhanser chipped in one.
For Penobscot Valley, Andy Williams led the team with 22 points, followed by Ryan Thompson with 18 and Gabe Castonguay with six. Gabe Reed chipped in three.
Dexter 50, Madawaska 33 — At Dexter, the No. 13 Owls could not keep pace with the No. 4 Tigers in a Class C North prelim. Dexter improves to 13-5 on the season, while Madawaska ends its year with a 9-9 record.
For Madawaska, Chris Boucher led the team with 15 points and Ian Beaulieu chipped in eight.
For Dexter, Will Kusnierz led the team with 16 points, followed by Kayden Kimball with 14 points.
Wisdom 90, Ashland 45 — At Wisdom, the No. 4 Pioneers (12-5 overall) bested the No. 13 Hornets (2-16) in a Class D North Prelim.
For Ashland, Inyas Janoch led the team with 26 points. Andrew Dotsom, Grant Thomas and Cole Eastman all added in 4 and Brady Berry scored three. Both Austin Clark and Dakota Sutherland chipped in two.
For Wisdom, Carter Pelletier led the team with 32 points, followed by Dominick Gendreau with 22 and Kaden Daigle with 15. Camden Pelletier added on another 11 points, Logan Legasse scored four and Michael Roach chipped in two.
Mount View 89, Caribou 70 — At Thorndike, the No. 5 ranked Mustangs defeated the No. 12 ranked Caribou Vikings during a Class B basketball prelim. Caribou ends its season with a 5-14 record. Individual results were not reported.
Calais 67, Hodgdon 56 — At Calais, the No. 8 Blue Devils held off No. 9 Hodgdon in a Class C North preliminary playoff. Calais improves to 10-8 on the season, while Hodgdon finishes with a 12-7 record. Individual results were not reported.
