By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
BANGOR – The Hodgdon Hawks forged to an early lead and rode the shooting of Mariah Wiley in an otherwise balanced offensive attack to roll to a 53-41 triumph over Van Buren in an Eastern Maine Class D quarterfinal game played Saturday evening at the Bangor Auditorium.
No. 3 Hodgdon, who improved to 16-4, is now preparing for a game against second-seeded Schenck, also 16-4, to be played at 2:05 p.m. Thursday. Van Buren ends its season at 15-5.
Hodgdon made Crusaders’ junior star guard Parise Rossignol work for her 30 points, which was below her season average. Rossignol faced a box-and-one defense throughout, with junior Laurin Howell and senior McKensie Palmer rotating in the man-to-man assignment. They forced Rossignol into a 12-of-32 shooting night, which included 1 of 7 from three-point range.
Bangor Daily News Photo
SWEET VICTORY — Mariah Wiley leaps into the arms of teammate Jennah Steamer as the two celebrate Hodgdon’s 53-41 win over Van Buren in Saturday’s Eastern Maine Class D basketball quarterfinal. The Hawks take on Schenck of East Millinocket Thursday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. in the semifinals, with the winner advancing to Saturday morning’s regional championship game.
The Hawks were able to surge to a 15-4 lead on the first of four Wiley three-point field goals which came with 3:20 left in the opening quarter.
Rossignol answered with consecutive conventional three-point plays 20 seconds apart, but a little later, the Hawks used a 9-0 run over the final 4-1/2 minutes of the second quarter to move ahead at intermission, 31-16. Wiley scored seven of those points, while Howell provided the others with a pair of free throws.
In the second half, the Crusaders got within 10 on a short baseline jumper by Rossignol with 1:10 left in the third, but they weren’t able to get closer than that the rest of the way.
Wiley scored 18 points, including an 8-for-8 effort from the foul line, to pace the Hawk offense. Lacey McQuarrie had nine points, eight rebounds and four assists; while Haley Gardiner had nine points and 10 boards and Jennah Steamer eight points and 13 boards.
Hodgdon held a 38-19 rebound advantage in the contest.
The two teams had met twice during the regular season, with each prevailing at home. Hodgdon won the initial matchup Jan. 5, 57-31, while Van Buren claimed a 57-47 victory Jan. 24.
