HOULTON, Maine — If Friday night’s season-opening game is any indication of how well the Houlton boys basketball team will fare, it should be a great year for the Shires.
Houlton (1-0) scored early and often as the Shires bolted to a 12-0 lead in the first five minutes of action and led 19-3 by the end of the first quarter. Houlton led 36-11 at halftime and 50-23 after three quarters before ultimately picking up the 63-49 win against Central Aroostook of Mars Hill.
“I thought we did a good job in the first half,” Houlton coach Tim Brewer said. “Once we got that lead, we became a little too lax. But I do think we shot the ball well early.”
Three players scored in double figures for Houlton as Nick Brewer netted 21, Cameron Cleary added 14 and Jaron Gentle chipped in 12.
Brayden Bradbury led Central Aroostook with 17 points, while Jacob Carvell added 10.
The game marked the first time in decades that Houlton and Central Aroostook have met during the regular season. Houlton is competing in Class C North this year, while CA is in Class D North.
It also marked the first time Houlton Coach Tim Brewer has faced his former ballclub, and one of his former players. Central Aroostook Coach Jason Woodworth was a four-year varsity player for Brewer, competing on the state championship squad in 2005. He also served as a junior varsity coach.
Coach Brewer said he felt his team had a decided height advantage and looked to exploit that in Friday’s game.
“We had a definite size advantage and wanted to take advantage of that,” Brewer said. “When we stuck with getting the ball inside, things worked well. I was really impressed with Cam (Cleary, a 6-foot, 8-inch senior center). I think the work he put in this offseason is starting to pay off for him.”
(Staff photos/Joseph Cyr)
