The first month of basketball is almost complete and a couple of local girls’ teams are experiencing great success on the hardwood. Houlton and Southern Aroostook both sit atop their respective divisions.
Houlton (6-1, 11.667) jumped back into first place in the Class B North region after Monday night’s win over Foxcroft Academy. The Shires leapt past Mt. Desert Island (5-0, 16.7901) and Ellsworth (5-0, 13.3951) by virtue of having played two more games than the Trojans and Eagles.
Houlton’s accomplishments are all the more impressive considering the team lost senior forward Katie Condon for what is believed to be the season with a knee injury.
Southern Aroostook (5-1, 13.9056 Heal Points) has shot to the top of the Class D North standings as the Warriors continue to show tremendous poise on the hardwood. Katahdin (4-3, 9.8148) is ranked second, while East Grand/GHCA (3-3, 2.1605) is seventh. The top 10 teams in this region qualify for the postseason.
Hodgdon (0-5) continues to search for its first win of the season in the tough Class C North region. Dexter (7-1) is the top-ranked team in the division. The top 12 teams earn a spot in the playoffs.
The following is a recap of games played through Monday.
Foxcroft Academy 41, Houlton 53 — At Houlton Monday, sophomore Kolleen Bouchard scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Shiretowners to their sixth win of the season. sophomore Aspen Flewelling added 10 points, while senior Natalie Hill recorded eight points, seven steals and four assists.
Foxcroft was led by Grace Bickford’s 15 points, while Abbi Bourget chipped in nine.
Houlton led 11-3, 27-10 and 43-22 at the quarter breaks.
So. Aroostook 70, Ashland 27 — At Ashland Dec. 23, freshman Kylie Vining led SACS with 16 points as the Warriors rolled past Ashland. Eighth-grader Sydney Brewer had 13 points, while freshman Kassidy Mathers added 12. Freshmen Katelyn Slauenwhite and Madison Cummings both chipped in 10.
Senior Laura Sturgeon paced Ashland with seven points while sophomore Morgan Doughty added six.
The Warriors led 20-9, 40-14 and 55-20 at the quarter breaks.
Katahdin 48, Greenville 16 — At Greenville Dec. 23, the Cougars scored early and often en route to the lopsided win. Molly Cunningham led the Cougars with 15 points, while Courtney Stevens had 10 points.
Caribou 24, Houlton 66 — At Houlton Dec. 22, the Shires used a 23-7 first-quarter run to build a lead they would never relinquish. Bouchard poured in 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and added six assists to lead all players. Flewelling added 13 points and eight rebounds while junior Rylee Warman scored 10 points.
For Caribou, sophomore Searra Herbert scored seven points and sophomore Gabrielle Marquis added six.
Houlton led 23-7, 36-13 and 53-18 at the quarter breaks.
Shead 51, Hodgdon 36 — At Hodgdon Dec. 22, the Hawks played a competitive first quarter, but Shead pulled away in the second period and cruised to the win.
Holly Preston scored 25 points to lead Shead, while Cierra Seeley added 16.
For Hodgdon, freshman Kora Lambert tallied 15 points and junior Taylor Desrosiers chipped in 10.
The two teams were tied 7-7 in the first quarter, but Shead went up 21-15 at halftime and led 33-30 after three periods.
