BANGOR, Maine – Despite falling behind 12-1 in the first quarter, the Central Aroostook girls’ varsity basketball team got points out of their first three possessions in the second quarter to mount a comeback, but the Limestone Community School/Maine School of Science and Mathematics never trailed as they took the 31-24 win.
Central Aroostook’s Amber Bradley and Sarah Long led the comeback with a high pass inside to Kayla Day. Her shot hit the rim but Long grabbed the board and got the putback. Bradley hit a long two on the Lady Panther’s second possession and Long made it 12-7 Eagles with a layup on the third. However, the Panthers didn’t have an answer for Limestone/MSSM forward Lauren Redmond.
The senior ended the Lady Eagle’s scoring drought in the second with a layup and pulled down an offensive board on the next possession for the short jumper.
Limestone/MSSM went with a 3-2 zone defensively, which allowed the team to clog the middle and hold Long and Panther forward Alex Dame quiet.
Central Aroostook went with a man-to-man defense and capitalized on the perimeter with Ashley Estabrook tipping away a pass from Limestone guard Britany King and Bradley picking up a rare block on a scoop pass intended for Long.
However, it was Redmond again draining two consecutive three-pointers at the end of the third to put the Lady Eagles up for good.
Dame and Day added points for the Lady Panthers in the fourth but it was too little too late as Limestone/MSSM advanced to Thursday’s semifinal round.
Leading Central Aroostook was Dame with 11 points and five boards. Long added four points and seven rebounds. The team ends their season at 15-5.
The Lady Eagles were led by Redmond with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
