Houlton youth win hoop tourney

17 years ago
   The Houlton Aroostook Youth Basketball League (AYBL) grade 3-4 girl’s basketball team, coached by Marty Bouchard and Rob Moran, remain undefeated on the season, capturing the AYBL girls’ tournament championship last weekend.     Houlton Black is now 13-0 overall and will finish their season with games against Madawaska at 5:30 p.m. on Friday at the Houlton Recreation Center and on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Fort Kent at Houlton High School.
Taking an early lead in last Saturday’s game, the Houlton Black defeated Presque Isle in the final, 22-16 for the title.
Houlton Black led 12-2 at halftime behind a balanced scoring attack involving six players. Kristen Graham’s four points spearheaded the drive, while Evelyn Pratt, Katie Condon and Kolleen Bouchard all had two points. Megan Collett and Amira Abouleish each had first-half free throws.
The first-half lead proved to be significant, as the Wildcats outscored Houlton Black 14-10 over the second half behind Regan Nelson’s eight points (nine for the game) and Leslie Mejia’s four free throws.
Houlton Black was led in scoring by Pratt and Graham with six points apiece, followed by Abouleish and Collett with three points, while Condon and Bouchard each had two.
The Houlton Black girls played three games within a Round Robin format before meeting the other Houlton team in the first playoff game on Saturday.
Against Houlton White, the Houlton Black squad came from behind to pull out a 16-15 victory.
Houlton White led 12-8 at intermission behind Mariah Boyd’s five points, while Natalie Hill netted four and Lilly Hanning another three. Keeping Houlton Black close was Condon with four points, while Collett and Bouchard had two apiece.
To start the second half, the offensive pace slowed with Houlton White outscoring Houlton Black, 3-0 in the third, as Hill (who finished with seven points) scored all of the quarter’s points. But, Houlton Black rebounded in the final period, outgunning Houlton White, 8-0, behind Pratt’s four points, Condon’s three (finishing with seven points) and Abouleish’s free throw to take the win.
Houlton Black eliminated Woodstock in their opening game, 16-14, as the Canadian team trailed 10-4 at halftime, but outscored Houlton, 9-0 in the third to close the scoring gap.
Houlton Black’s offense was shouldered by Condon with eight points and Bouchard with four. Collett and Aspen Flewelling finished with a basket each.
In the next game, it was Houlton Black defeating Houlton White, 15-10.
Houlton White, coached by Ben Drew, led 6-2 at halftime, as Hanning had four points and Sarah Delano had two points.
The scoring was close in the third period, with Houlton Black edging Houlton White, 5-4, but still trailing in the contest, 10-7. But in the decisive final period, Houlton Black went on a 8-0 scoring run to overtake Houlton White for the win.
Condon finished with six points for Houlton Black, while Flewelling netted four, Pratt tallied three and Abouleish had two.
For Houlton White, Hanning posted six points and Delano added four more.
In their third game, Houlton Black met Presque Isle and came away with a 15-12 victory.
Leading 6-2 at halftime, Houlton Black continued in the lead through the third, 13-7 en route to the win.
Houlton Black’s offense was again balanced with Condon leading the way with five points, followed by Bouchard with four and Pratt, Collett and Graham all with two points.
For the Wildcats, Olivia Hudson finished with seven points, while Taylor Williams and Grace Braley each had two.