The Houlton boys basketball team is still searching for its first win of the season in the Class B North region. The Shires (0-2, no points) are one of five teams in the region that have yet to get into the win column.
In Class C North, Hodgdon got its first two wins of the season. The Hawks (2-1, 1.667 Heal Points) are currently 11th in the region.
In Class D North, Southern Aroostook (3-0, 3.2716 Heal Points) is still perfect on the year. The Warriors are currently second, while East Grand/GHCA (1-2, 2.1605) is third and Katahdin (1-2, 1.0494) is seventh. Washburn (2-0, 4.3827) is first in the region.
Limestone-MSSM 24, East Grand/GHCA 31 — At Danforth Saturday, the visiting Eagles were clipped by East Grand/GHCA. Individual game results were not reported to the newspaper.
Houlton 38, Central 67 — At Corinth Saturday, the Red Devils broke open a close game midway through the third quarter outscoring Houlton 21-10 in the third to take a 15 point lead into the fourth quarter.
Trevor Macomber paced Central with 15 points while Caleb Shaw added 13 and Grant Poulin netted 12. Houlton was led by Jared Fox with 9 points.
Central led 10-9, 25-21 and 46-31 at the quarter breaks.
Hodgdon 62, Madawaska 36 — At Madawaska, Jimmy Buzzell scored 16 points and Dillon Buzzell added 10 to propel the Hawks past the Owls. Jordyn Merritt chipped in nine and Dana Brown added seven for Hodgdon.
Matthew Cyr and Craig Gendreau each scored 12 points to lead Madawaska.
Hodgdon led 18-14, 39-17 and 51-24 at the quarter breaks.
Penquis 42, Katahdin 57 — At Stacyville Friday, Katahdin received an 18-point effort from Hunter Craig, while Brody Guiggey added 15 and Tyson Porter chipped in 12. Penquis’ Clayton Preble had 18 points and Charles Artus added 10 in the loss.
The Cougars trailed 15-14 at the end of the first quarter, but led 27-24 at halftime and 45-34 after three periods.
“We started out a bit scattered,” said Katahdin coach Harry Doughty. “The first few games the team was not used to playing together, so it seemed like it was every person for themselves. Now the team is getting into the groove and playing well. I am in hopes we can continue to tighten the knot and be a competitive team.”
Hodgdon 50, Fort Fairfield 47 — At Fort Fairfield, another nail-biter for Hodgdon fans was to be had as the Hawks rallied with a strong fourth quarter to beat the Tigers. Hodgdon pulled out the win with a close win after a strong fourth quarter effort by the Tigers.
Jimmy Buzzell led all scorers with 33 points for the Hawks. Fort Fairfield was paced by Chris Giberson with 18 points and Isaac Cyr, 15.
Fort Fairfield led 18-13 in the first quarter, but Hodgdon rallied to tie it 27-27 at halftime. The Hawks led 39-37 after three stanzas.
Washburn 81, Hodgdon 70 (2OT) — At Hodgdon Dec. 8, in a season-opening contest for both squads, double overtime was needed to decide a victor.
Washburn led 20-11, 30-26 and 48-44 at the quarter breaks before Hodgdon knotted the game at 61-61 at the end of regulation. The two score remained tied after one overtime period (66-66), before Washburn pulled away in the second extra frame.
The Beavers were led by Jarrett Olson with 24 points, while Noah Caron and Brandon Cropley each had 23 points.
Buzzell scored a game-high 32 points and Daden Palmer added 11 for Hodgdon.
“Our boys got down early and battled back,” Hodgdon coach Rob Smith said. “They do not give up when they are down, but we have to work harder at keeping the game close early. We are continuing to work on a press and that paid off with a couple of forced turnovers. Washburn is a tough team.”
The Hawks were dealt a blow prior to the start of the season when the team’s big man — 6-foot, 4-inch center Kevin McAfee — was diagnosed with a knee injury that may keep him from playing at all this season.
“He will be going to Bangor to see what the next step is going to be,” Smith said. “He may miss all season, but we will see what the doctor says and proceed from there. He is a junior so we would like to see him get healthy now so that we can get him back for his senior year.”
Easton 54, Southern Aroostook 66 — At Dyer Brook Dec. 8, the Warriors scored early and often in their victory over Easton. Nolan Atlvater poured in 24 points, while Jackson Mathers added 23 for SACS. Tyler Batchelder, Rob Lillis and Garrett Siltz, each added five in the win.
For Easton, Logan Halverson and Drew Sotomayer both netted 15 points, while Jacob Flewelling added 12 and Collin Sotomayer chipped in 10.
Southern Aroostook led 22-13, 40-23 and 46-31 at the quarter breaks.
