Houlton 7-8 grade AYBL squad opens season with wins

The Houlton Shiretowners 7-8 grade Aroostook Youth Basketball League team traveled to Presque Isle last Saturday to take on the PI Blue and White teams at Northern Maine Community College.  Houlton won both games of the doubleheader defeating PI Blue 54-29 and PI White 63-29.
This year’s Houlton team is made up of veteran AYBL players with a mix of size and speed. Eighth-graders playing include Dan Swallow, Dylan Howland and Hunter Hanning from Houlton junior high, as well as Russell Socoby and Isaiah Straubel from Greater Houlton Christian Academy. Seventh-grade players include Nick Guiod, Kole Buzzeo and Elyjah Crockett, along with sixth-grader Kyle Bouchard rounding out the squad.
The Shires struggled early shaking off the rust leading PI Blue 12-10 after the first quarter. Houlton’s defense kicked in during the second quarter holding the Wildcats to three points while extending the lead to 10.
Houlton took control in the second half continuing its tight defense, while spreading the scoring evenly throughout the contest.  The Shires pulled away with the 25-point win.
The Shires were led by Swallow with 10 points and nine rebounds. Socoby also added 10. Guiod chipped in with seven points, as well as dishing out nine assists. Howland added seven points, as well. Crockett added nine rebounds and Hanning grabbed eight boards.
Houlton came out firing on all cylinders to start the second game jumping out to an early 16-6 lead. The second quarter was more of the same as Houlton was led by Buzzeo’s seven points in the quarter helping Houlton to take a 37-13 lead at half.  Houlton continued to roll in the second half finishing the game on the winning side. Socoby led all scorers with 17 points. Swallow added eight, while Straubel chipped in with seven.
Crockett led both teams pulling down 15 rebounds, while Guiod chipped in with 10 assists.
Houlton heads to the University of Maine this weekend to participate in the Bangor YMCA 7-8 grade tournament.