The Houlton 3-4 Aroostook Youth Basketball League team from Houlton came back from a huge loss to Messalonskee in their second tournament game in Hampden to capture the championship against the same team.
In the girls’ first game of the tournament, Houlton picked up a 29-18 win over Hampden. The Houlton squad led 16-4 in the first half en route to the win. Kristen Graham scored 12 points and Kolleen Bouchard finished with 10 more.
In their only tournament loss, Messalonskee overpowered Houlton, 47-28. Graham had 11 points and Bouchard netted 10 more.
In the third tournament game, Houlton led 21-10 in the first half en route to a 37-22 victory over Hermon.
Bouchard led the team with 16 points, while Graham added 13.
In the first playoff game against Hermon, Houlton won 26-11. It was a low scoring event at halftime, as Houlton led 7-3. In the third, Houlton outscored Hermon, 12-1 for a 19-4 third-period advantage. Bouchard scored 12 points, with Graham netting 10 and Rylee Warman the other four points in the win.
The championship game pitted Houlton against Messalonskee, and Houlton wasn’t intimidated, finishing with the 39-31 win and championship title.
The game was evenly played through the first half with Houlton holding an 18-16 advantage. In the third, the Houlton girls outscored Messalonskee, 11-8, which was the difference in the game, extending their lead to 29-24.
Bouchard paced the team’s offense with 22 points, while Graham tossed in 14.
