The Houlton girls basketball team had its first stiff test of their undefeated season Monday against visiting John Bapst, but managed to come away with a three-point win. The Shires (7-0) are ranked second in Class B North behind top-ranked Hermon (8-1).
In Class C North, Hodgdon (2-8) is currently ranked 16th and is not in the playoff picture. In Class D North, Southern Aroostook (6-0) is second behind top-ranked Shead (9-0). East Grand (4-3) is ranked eighth and Katahdin (1-7) is 10th. Both teams are in the playoff mix.
The following is a recap of games played through Monday.
John Bapst 63, Houlton 66 — At Houlton Monday, the Shires had their toughest test of the season against John Bapst (7-4 and ranked third in Class B North). Houlton’s Kolleen Bouchard turned in a strong all-around game with 23 points, seven rebounds and seven blocked shots to carry the Shiretowners to the three-point victory.
Mikayla Watson chipped in with 14 points, including a 13-of-16 effort from the free-throw line for the Shiretowners. She also had seven rebounds. Rylee Warman chipped in with 12 points and Kristen Graham had five points, seven rebounds and six steals. Aspen Flewelling contributed eight points.
Houlton coach Shawn Graham said if there was one positive his team could take from the game is that the Shires played one of their worst games of the year, and still managed to come away with a victory.
“We didn’t play particularly well tonight, but we were able to survive against a very good John Bapst team,” Graham said. “We were rusty, and it showed. Defensively we have got to get better. We have some big games ahead of us, and we need to play better. The team has got to get tougher mentally if we hope to have continued success.”
John Bapst got 17 points from Crystal Bell and Hannah Phillipon added 16 before she fouled out of the game at the end of the third period. John Bapst ended the game with three starters fouling out of the contest.
The two teams were tied 8-8 to end the first quarter and John Bapst led 27-26 at the half before Houlton went up 45-42 after three periods. Houlton was able to build a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter as John Bapst players struggled with committing fouls. But Houlton was unable to put the Crusaders away as the game remained a one-possession game, with John Bapst lofting a halfcourt shot at the buzzer that was off the mark.
Stearns 73, Katahdin 30 — At Stacyville Monday, Emma Alley scored 20 points to lead Stearns passed Katahdin. Peighton Ingersoll chipped in with 12 points for the Minutemen.
Georgia Landry paced Katahdin with 11 points and Haley Landry added eight.
East Grand at Machias — At Machias Saturday,
Houlton 61, Washington Academy 28 — At East Machias Saturday, Houlton’s Bouchard poured in 19 points, grabbed eight rebounds and dished four assists to pace the Shires. Warman added 17 points and two assists; Flewelling had nine points, three rebounds and four steals; and Kristen Graham had seven points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Rylee Steeves led 4-4 Washington Academy with 12 points including three 3-pointers.
The game marked the first action for Makayla Watson, who saw some time off the bench for the first time this season after breaking a wrist bone in late November.
“Makayla will be a great addition to the team for the second half of our season,” coach Graham said. “We had a strong defensive effort in the second half holding them to 11 total points.”
Houlton led 18-11, 31-17 and 42-22 at the quarter breaks.
Southern Aroostook 66, Washburn 30 — At Washburn Saturday, the Warriors continued their unbeaten ways with a 36-point victory over Washburn. Four SA players scored in double figures as Sydney Brewer netted 25 points, Kacy Daggett tallied 13, and Kylie Vining and Makaelyn Porter both had 10 points.
“I am really proud of the way the team is playing so far this season,” SA coach Cliff Urquhart said. “They are responding to the loss of Kassidy Mathers and everyone has stepped up and done their part. The chemistry has been there.”
Hodgdon 34, Central Aroostook 44 — At Mars Hill Friday, Sydney Howell paced Hodgdon with 12 points as the Hawks fell to Central Aroostook.
Breann Bradbury netted 12 points for the Panthers, while Katie Levesque added 10 points.
Fort Kent 40, Hodgdon 37 — At Hodgdon Jan. 3, Janelle Goff’s 13 points paced the Hawks while Sydney Howell added eight, but it was not enough to beat visiting Fort Kent.
Cassidy Lovely had 13 points and Libby LaPointe added 11 for the Warriors.
Fort Kent led 19-10 at the end of the first quarter, but the Hawks rallied to take a 24-23 edge at the halftime break. Fort Kent went back on top 33-29 after three quarters and held on for the win.
East Grand 36, Shead 49 — At Eastport Jan. 3, Haleigh Shay poured in 16 points and Sarah Stoddard added 14 for East Grand, but Shead still emerged victorious.
Shead’s Holly Preston led all players with 20 points and 10 assists, while Cassidy Wilder tallied 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Shead led 10-6, 24-13 and 32-26 at the quarter breaks.
