Aroostook Youth 5-6 grade basketball team wins two more championships

    The Houlton Aroostook Youth Basketball League 5-6 grade boys’ team came away with two more championships, winning the Orrington Tournament over February break and bringing home the title from East Millinocket February 7-8 at Schenck High School.
    On Feb. 14 and 15, the Houlton boys played in a Round Robin to begin the tournament before seeds were drawn for the playoffs.
    In their first game of the tournament, Houlton defeated Brewer Pride, 56-38 behind Jacob Drew and Garrett Putnam’s 12 points apiece. Ian Goetsch dropped in 10 points, while Kyle Bouchard and Daniel Howe each tossed in six points.
    The Houlton boys grabbed a 15-6 first period lead and extended it to 43-23 over three periods en route to the win.
    In their second contest, Houlton picked up a 65-37 win over Hampden 1 behind a balanced scoring attack.
    Houlton took an opening lead of 22-1 and cruised behind Bouchard’s 14 points and Howe’s 13. Drew netted nine, while Goetsch, Putnam, Jake Condon and Ryan Dee all had six points.
    Game three proved to be no contest, as Houlton routed Glenburn, 66-22 after forging a 33-11 halftime lead, outscoring Glenburn 15-0 in the second period.
    Drew and Dee led the team offensively with 13 points apiece, while Howe scored 10 points. Noah Holmes added seven, while Bouchard and Putnam each chipped in with six points.
    In the first playoff game, Houlton was seeded first against the number eight Glenburn squad. Houlton picked up the lopsided, 75-10 victory. After the first it was 25-3 and then Houlton outscored Glenburn again in the second period, 18-0 for a 43-3 halftime advantage.
    Drew and Putnam scored 14 points apiece, while Howe netted 12. Drew was named Player of the Game, as well.
    In their second playoff game, Houlton drew number four Hampden 2 and overtook them, 56-41. Houlton was leading 24-14 at intermission and outscored Hampden, 19-4 in the third to put distance between the teams.
    Bouchard pumped in 17 points, while Howe finished with 12 and Garrett Ring added 10. Bouchard was named Player of the Game.
    In the championship, the Houlton boys went into overtime against number two Brewer Hoops, a team made up of mostly sixth graders and champions of the Eastern Maine 5-6 Grade League, before a winner was declared. In their first matchup, Houlton topped Brewer Pride, 56-38.
    The Houlton boys led 17-9 to start the game and held a 31-20 halftime lead. But, over the second half of action, Brewer outscored Houlton, 25-14 to send the game into overtime, as the score was knotted at 45-all.
    In overtime, Houlton overpowered Brewer, 10-4 for the championship. Bouchard scored 16 points, while Howe and Drew each netted 12 points. Howe was named Player of the Game.
    In East Millinocket, the     Houlton squad met East Millinocket in the championship, picking up the title with a 49-22 victory. The Houlton boys outscored East Millinocket 16-10 in the second quarter to build a comfortable 25-14 halftime lead. Houlton went on to extend its lead to 37-18 after the third.
    Bouchard along with Howe, who was named Player of the Game, tossed in 12 points apiece, while Mo Diane finished with 10.
    In their first game of the tournament against Millinocket, the Houlton boys built a 30-16 halftime lead and cruised to a 47-26 lopsided win behind Bouchard’s 17 points and Drew’s 10. Drew was named Player of the Game.
    In their first meeting against East Millinocket, the Houlton squad started fast with an 18-2 lead and by halftime they had built a 30-10 advantage.
    Bouchard, who was Player of the Game, tossed in 14 points, while Holmes and Howe each tallied 10 points.