By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
Despite a small number in the lineup, the Greater Houlton Christian Academy girls team is 3-0 as the season starts.
“Our defense has been pretty good so far and because of that it has put us in a position to win some games,” said GHCA coach Clyde Warman. “Our offense is another story and is continuing to evolve as we go.”
The Lady Eagles will face a challenge on Thursday as they face Van Buren — who is also undefeated and full of experienced veterans, including one of the best players in Maine in Parise Rossignol — at the University of Maine Presque Isle.
Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
DEFENDS — Mataya Hartin defends against Fort Fairfield’s Kayla Giberson after rebounding action in last Friday’s game in Dyer Brook. The Tigers edged the Lady Warriors, 44-42.
“It will be a tough challenge,” said Warman, “but at the same time it’s a great opportunity for my young kids to gain valuable experience playing one of the best teams in Eastern D.”
On Monday in Stacyville, the Lady Eagles topped their host, 45-29.
Freshman Rylee Warman paced GHCA’s offense with 19 points, followed by Jennah Carver with 10 and Colby Walker chipped in with eight.
For Katahdin, Molly Cunningham led the way with seven points, while Delaney Fitzpatrick and Courtney Stevens each added six points.
In the GHCA girls’ home opener last Thursday at the University of Maine Presque Isle, the Lady Eagles edged Wisdom, 35-30.
The Lady Eagles turned a one-point first-quarter deficit (7-6) into a halftime lead of 20-13. After three quarters, the GHCA girls maintained a 25-17 advantage.
The Lady Eagles were led by Warman who had 14 points, while Makayla Watson added eight.
The Pioneers were led by Rhylee Wright’s eight points.
On Saturday, the Katahdin girls overtook host Bangor Christian, 30-23.
For Katahdin, Courtney Stevens and Georgia Landry each had seven points and Delaney Fitzpatrick added six points. For Bangor Christian Abby Closs scored 14.
In Stacyville last Thursday, the Penobscot Valley Howlers topped Katahdin, 62-30.
For PVHS, Samantha Ireland scored 27 points and Molly McGinn 18 points.
The Houlton Lady Shires ran into trouble in the third quarter, as they fell 61-42 to host Presque Isle last Tuesday.
The Lady Wildcats outscored Houlton 20 to 6 in the pivotal third to pull away.
Natalie Hill paced Houlton with 14 points.
Presque Isle led throughout the game: 13-11; 29-22; 49-28.
Krystal Kingsbury led Presque Isle (2-0) with 18 points and Taylor Williams had 11.
Allie McEwen’s 16 points and eight rebounds helped the East Grand Lady Vikings get by visiting Hodgdon, 45-28 in Danforth on Saturday.
Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
UP AND OVER — SACS’ Sable Altvater shoots the ball over Fort Fairfield defenders, left, No. 22 Nicole Giberson and No. 53 Whitney McNamee.
East Grand led throughout the game: 15-4; 29-12; and 35-16.
Sarah Stoddard chipped in with 14 points, seven rebounds and five steals while Kim Stoddard tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals.
Lauren Howell paced Hodgdon with 16 points.
Last Wednesday in Fort Fairfield, the Tigers used an 18-2 opening lead to roll to a 62-20 victory over Hodgdon.
The Tigers were led by Nicole Giberson, Janae Libby and Shyla Bouchard with 10 points each.
Howell led Hodgdon with 10 points.
The Southern Aroostook girls picked up a 52-43 win in Ashland on Monday.
Kennedi Smith and Sable Altvater each tossed in 18 points, while Chloe Raymond chipped in with 10 more for the Lady Warriors.
Caitlin Paradis paced Ashland with 11 points and Cassidy Pelletier tallied 10 points.
The Lady Warriors led 13-12 to start the game and held a close 24-22 halftime advantage. In the third, the SACS girls pushed their led to 37-28 en route to the win.
In Dyer Brook last Friday, the Southern Aroostook girls came up short, 44-42, to visiting Fort Fairfield. The game started with Southern Aroostook on top, 12-7, but the Tigers came back to take a 23-20 halftime lead. In the third quarter, Fort pushed the lead to 10 points, 34-24, but the Lady Warriors battled back, but just couldn’t get the ball in as the game ended.
Whitney McNamee scored 15 points and grabbed 14 rebounds for Fort Fairfield.
For SACS, 1-2, Jess Tucker scored 14 points, Altvater chipped in with 12 and Raymond added 11.
Last Wednesday in Washburn, the Beavers finished with a 51-42 win over Southern Aroostook.
Washburn’s Joan Overman had a career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds and five steals for 2-0 Washburn.
Altvater had 17 points and Tucker 11 points for SACS.
Washburn led each quarter of the game: 13-2; 25-18; and 38-34.
Pioneer Times photo/Gloria Austin
LAY UP — SACS’ Kennedi Smith goes in for a layup as Fort Fairfield’s Shyla Bouchard swipes by.
