Staff Writer
MARS HILL – Central Aroostook continued to show their strong basketball tradition in a Monday night double-header against the visiting Easton Bears.
The Easton boys played tenacious defense and offense hoping to be the team to break the Panther’s undefeated streak. Bear Brad Trask put up a three-point shot in the fourth to move Easton within one of CAHS, 37-36, but the Panthers netted six free throws for the win, 41-36.
Cameron York landed the game-high 19 points for CAHS. Jeremy Brock led the Bears with 13 points.
The CAHS girls also played to victory over Easton, 68-17.
Senior Sarah Long worked in 13 points for the Panthers, and Kayla Day popped in another 10.
Easton’s Brooke Hammond sank two three-pointers toward the team-high of seven points.
The Easton girls will wrap up their season against Wisdom on Thursday, hoping for a strong exhibition of the improvement they’ve made during the year.
“There’s been a lot of growth,” said head coach Evan Graves. “We’re a young team playing against a lot of experienced teams, and it’s a solid league this year with a lot of seniors.”
The coaching staff are currently working on a summer camp to continue the improvements made during the season.
CAHS girls triumph over Hodgdon and Fort Fairfield
The Central Aroostook girls won the day on their home turf on Saturday, defeating Hodgdon, 62-35.
Panther Long captained the team with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Alex Dame shot for 12 and tore down 11 rebounds. Amber Bradley added another 12 points to the CAHS scoring column.
The Panthers prowled ahead of the Tigers in their home den last Wednesday to earn their 13th victory, 64-40. Central Aroostook shot to a first-quarter lead and never relinquished the bigger numbers to Fort Fairfield.
Panther Dame put in the game-high of 25 points, and Long shot for another 18 inside for CAHS.
Fort Fairfield’s Whitney Clark marked the only three-pointers with three baskets from the outside toward a 24-point total.
Owls edge Tigers
The Fort Fairfield girls had extra focus in their game against Madawaska Monday night, hungry for a win to secure their 15th seat and a spot in the preliminary rounds. With home crowd support, the Tigers had the lead 19-16 at halftime and into the final minutes of the fourth quarter. However, the Owls went on the offensive attack in the final minute to take the game, 45-41.
Tiger Clark pushed FFHS offense with 13 points. Allison Blaisdell shot two three-pointers toward her 11-point total. Kaitlyn McLaughlin scored 10 more points for the red team.
Fort Fairfield’s varsity basketball squads posted back-to-back victories over the Wisdom Pioneers in Friday night’s Class D double-header.
The Tiger girls started slow in the first quarter, but soon picked up the pace for a 49-14 finish. Courtney Churchill led nine Tiger scorers with 10 points. Maryl Shaw swooshed the only three-pointer of the night.
The Tiger boys’ offensive skills lifted them to a quick lead against the Pioneers to take a 69-36 final score. Fort Fairfield’s Austin Dufour slammed in 14 points for the game-high. Matt Cresenzo added another 12 points, and Josh Booth plowed in 11 points for the Tigers.
Fort Fairfield outpaced Washburn last Tuesday in Class D boys’ basketball action at the Beaver house. Doug Sharpe led the Tigers with 19 points and Austin Dufour shot up another 10.
Nick McIntosh sailed in the game-high of 34 points.
The Hornet sting
Ashland’s boys’ varsity basketball squad utilized their inside and outside skills and have four athletes shoot into double-digits toward the victory over Washburn, 83-44, on Monday night.
Lucas Hafford captained the Hornet swarm with 17 points and nabbing 12 rebounds. Tyler Cote sailed in another 15 points. Lucas Belanger and Carl Nemer put up 11 each for the black and orange.
N. McIntosh sank the game-high of 23 points for the Beavers, and Alex McIntosh added 10 more.
Ashland’s senior center Mindy Chasse worked against her defenders under the Hornet basket in Thursday night’s game at Katahdin. However, the Hornets couldn’t penetrate the Cougar defense, and suffered a 56-37 defeat.
Chasse put in 13 points, while teammate Suzie Poulin sank double three-pointers toward a 10-point effort.
The Hornets suffered from foul trouble with Chasse, Poulin and Whitney Flint all having to take the bench late in the game. Katahdin also had consistent success at the free throw line, sinking 22 of 28.
Last Wednesday’s battle between Ashland and Van Buren boys could’ve gone either way as the teams shot back-and-forth for dominance on the Van Buren court. However, Hornet Jeremy Tarr sank a shot with five seconds remaining for the 70-68 final in the orange and black favor.
Hornet Belanger plowed up 18 points underneath. Tarr put in a total of 15 points, while Justin Belanger sank 12 points. Cote nailed two three-pointers toward a 10-point total for Ashland.
Beavers at number-one
The Washburn girls claimed their 15th victory of the season over Van Buren on Monday night, 61-29. Currently ranked number one in the Heal Point Standings, the Beavers proved their place easily handling their visiting opponents.
Kelsee McLaughlin shot for 17 points to lead Beaver scoring. Rebecca Campbell sank 12 points for WDHS, and Rachel Palmer boxed out for nine rebounds under the net.
The Limestone boys went onto their home court, determined to keep Washburn back in Thursday night’s basketball game. The Eagles forced the Beavers to fight from behind and finished on top, 60-45.
Junior N. McIntosh also had 17 points for Washburn. Evan Sperrey sailed in another 10 for WDHS.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
CAHS SENIOR Amber Bradley moves the ball toward the Panther basket.
