Staff Writer
HOULTON –Houlton’s Kyle Bouchard and Elyjah Crockett spearheaded the offensive drive in the final game of the Maine Basketball Festival Small School Division Tournament to help the Aroostook Basketball League’s 5-6 grade basketball squad capture the title, defeating Holbrook, 49-24.
Contributed photograph
CHAMPS – Capturing the Maine Basketball Festival Small School Division Tournament title are, from left, front, Kole Buzzeo, Nick Guiod, Noah Holmes and Chandler Brewer; back, Jacob Condon, Elyjah Crockett, Kyle Bouchard, Daniel Howe and coach Marty Bouchard.
The Houlton team played four games in the two-day tournament held at the Bangor YMCA last weekend against MDI, Skowhegan and Brewer.
This young squad of eight players — Kole Buzzeo, Nick Guiod, Daniel Howe, Kyle Bouchard, Jacob Condon, Elyjah Crockett, Noah Holmes and Chandler Brewer from Mars Hill — has tasted success, hopefully translating into promising basketball players in the near future.
Earlier this year, the squad claimed a second-place finish in an eight-team tournament in Orrington. The team lost to Hampden, who had several players who competed in the 11 under nationals in Kentucky last year on their roster.
In the championship on Sunday, first half action was much closer than the final margin indicates, as Houlton only led 13-10, as Bouchard scored all nine of his points in the opening half before Crockett led Houlton’s offensive assault in the second half.
Crockett, who tossed in all 12 of his points in the second half, as Houlton outscored Holbrook, 36-14 in second half action to claim the championship. Adding to the second half surge was Buzzeo, who netted seven of his nine points, Guiod dropped in six points and Brewer chipped in with five. Rounding out the scoring were Howe with four, while Condon and Holmes each added a basket.
The Houlton squad defeated MDI, 32-26 in semifinal action behind 10 points apiece from Bouchard and Crockett, while Guiod tallied six points, along with Buzzeo’s three and Brewer’s two and Howe’s free throw.
The young Shiretowners took an early 15-8 halftime lead which proved to be crucial, as MDI outscored them 18-17 in the second half.
In other action, the Shiretowners picked up a lopsided 69-13 victory over Skowhegan last Saturday.
Balanced scoring, as all Houlton players scored, and defense were the keys in the contest, with Brewer scoring 10 points, along with Guiod and Crockett’s six points apiece for a 32-2 halftime cushion. The Shiretowners continued their dominance in the second half, outscoring Skowhegan, 37-11, with Crockett leading the way with 10 points for his total of 16, while Guiod knocked down seven points for his total of 13 and Brewer chipped in with six to finish with 16 points, too.
Playing supporting roles in the game were Buzzeo with nine points, six coming in the second half, while Holmes finished with six points and Bouchard tallied five. Howe and Condon each added a basket.
In a much closer game, the Shiretowners pulled out a 43-38 win over Brewer.
The first half of the game was extremely close with Houlton holding a slim one-point lead, 22-21 behind Bouchard’s six points; Crockett’s five; Guiod’s and Brewer’s four points; Buzzeo’s three-pointer and a basket by Howe.
The Shiretowners took the scoring advantage again in the second half, 19-17, with Bouchard tossing in seven points for a game-high 13 points, along with Guiod’s six for his total of 10.
Capping off the scoring was Crockett with seven; Buzzeo with five and Howe four.
