Bears, Panthers set to meet
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The Easton Bears and the Central Aroostook Panthers renew their storied rivalry tonight at the Barn in Easton, and the matchup takes on extra special meaning as both squads enter the contest sporting undefeated records.
The Bears are 4-0 and are coming off an impressive 70-43 victory over Fort Fairfield Dec. 20. Easton, currently ranked third in Eastern Maine Class D Heal Point standings, also has wins over Greater Houlton Christian Academy, East Grand and Limestone-MSSM.
Easton coach Travis Carter said it has been all about teamwork so far for his squad.
“No one cares who puts the ball in the basket,” he said, while noting that his overall team speed has also been a difference maker.
“We’re winning the race to the other end of the floor and we’re also finishing,” Carter added.
CA is perfect through four games as well and finds itself in second place in EM Class D. The Panthers have beaten Southern Aroostook, Fort Fairfield, Wisdom and Ashland to begin the season and also last played on Dec. 20.
There are a couple other big games coming up this week. On the boys’ side, the Fort Fairfield Tigers and the Panthers meet for the second time this season Tuesday, Jan. 4, this time in Fort Fairfield. The Panthers took the first meeting Dec. 14 in Mars Hill, 76-62.
In girls’ action, Presque Isle hosts the surprising Bucksport Golden Bucks Thursday at 3 p.m. PI was 3-0 entering its game at Ellsworth Tuesday, while Bucksport began the season winning three of its first four contests.
Summaries of games played in last week’s abbreviated slate, which was due to both Christmas and Monday’s snowstorm, are as follows:
Central Aroostook girls 46, Ashland 18 – On Thursday in Ashland, the Panthers won their fifth consecutive game by easily getting past the Hornets.
Vicki McIntyre scored 13 points and Rachael Grew nailed a pair of three-pointers en route to a 10-point performance as CA (5-1 overall) rolled.
Brooke LaBelle scored seven points for Ashland, which fell to 1-3.
Central Aroostook 43, Hodgdon 26 – In Mars Hill last Tuesday, Grew scored 17 points and McIntyre posted 15 more as the Panthers came out on top.
CA outscored the Hawks 22-10 over the second and third periods to key the win.
Mariah Wiley scored nine points for the Class C Hawks, which suffered their first loss after opening with four victories to begin the season.
