HOULTON, Maine — Although early in the season, the boys basketball game between Houlton and Caribou on Monday gave fans an early holiday treat that could also be a prelude to a potential postseason rematch.
In a thrilling, fast-paced game, Caribou showed poise under pressure to emerge victorious 73-62. The Vikings converted seven-of-eight foul shots during the final 49 seconds of play to pull away from Houlton.
“Every time Caribou and Houlton play, I feel like it is always this way,” Caribou coach Kyle Corrigan said. “Houlton has a great ball club, with one of the best coaches in the state with Tim Brewer. We knew they would be ready to
Going in for a layup is Houlton’s Isaiah Gentle, middle, as Caribou’s Ethan Holdsworth comes in from behind. Trailing on the play is Viking Sawyer Deprey. Caribou won 73-62. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times )
play.”
A 27-point effort from Houlton’s Keegan Gentle was not enough to carry the Shires to victory past the defending state champion Caribou Vikings, but it certainly kept his team in the contest. Houlton made it a five-point game, 66-61, with 1:24 to go when Cam Callnan scored on a layup.
The Vikings then rattled off a 7-1 run to close out the contest, which included a perfect 6-for-6 effort from the free throw line during that stretch by Viking Parker Deprey to seal the victory. Deprey finished with 21 points on the night, including 10-for-10 from the foul line.
Caribou’s Sawyer Deprey led the Vikings with 23 points, while Isaac Marker chipped in 17, Alex Bouchard added 10 and Ethan Holdsworth had two.
For Houlton, Caleb Solomon had 13 points, Jaron Gentle added nine, Drew Foley had seven, Callnan chipped in four and Isaiah Gentle had two. The offense for the Shires flowed through Keegan Gentle, who time and time again hit big shots for the team.
“I thought Keegan played amazing today,” Corrigan said. “I haven’t watched many of his games, but that had to be one of his best ever. We tried to limit him to just some outside shots early, but he was hurting us pretty bad with those 3-pointers of his.”
Twelve of Gentle’s 27 points came from behind the 3-point arc.
The two squads traded baskets for much of the first half, with Caribou clinging to a 21-20 lead at the end of the first quarter and 40-35 advantage at the halftime break.
Houlton is now 2-2 on the season.
