PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Presque Isle girls basketball beat Ellsworth 51-35 Saturday thanks to big offensive performances from underclassmen and a strong defense.
Wildcat sophomore Faith Sjoberg (17 points) and freshman Anna Jandreau (13 points) led the way for Presque Isle, scoring the majority of their team’s points.
Presque Isle came out ready, putting 12 points on the board while holding Ellsworth to just two in the first quarter.
Ellsworth upped its offensive game in the second, scoring 13 on the back of three 3-pointers from senior Trinity Montigny. But the Eagles were not able to put any stops on Presque Isle, who again scored 12. The Wildcats led by nine points (24-15) at the end of the half.
The third quarter was relatively quiet, with each team holding its own enough to keep the game within nine at the buzzer. Montigny again scored the majority of Ellsworth’s points.
With the help of Sjoberg, the Wildcats were able to put the game away in the fourth. Sjoberg, who had shown little production in the first half, scored 10 points on the Ellsworth defense. Ellsworth was unable to respond which led Presque Isle to the 16-point victory.
Presque Isle girls basketball players Faith Sjoberg, left, and Anna Jandreau, right, play on offense against Ellsworth on Saturday. (David Marino Jr | The Star-Herald)
Ellsworth’s Montigny was the game’s high scorer with 18 points, while junior Sierra Andrews added eight for the Eagles.
Presque Isle’s strong defensive play, including some big steals. At one point, senior Maggie Castonguay made an impressive diving grab for the basketball, quickly passing the ball to a teammate.
Presque Isle senior Libby Moreau, who spent much of the game covering Montigny on defense, looked to be in a lot of pain after getting knocked down by an Ellsworth player in the fourth quarter. Team staff took Moreau off the court to get her checked out, but she later returned.
Calling Ellsworth a “great team,” Sjoberg said she knew she and her team had to put up a strong performance going in.
“First half, I struggled quite a bit,” she said. “But second half, I brought it back, and helped to get a win today.”
Presque Isle Coach Jeff Hudson said he was proud of how his team played, praising the girls tough play, strong defensive performance and offensive rebounding abilities.
Presque Isle senior Maggie Castonguay is defended by Ellsworth junior Sierra Andrews in a game at Presque Isle High School on Saturday. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
“That’s five wins in a row, and we just need to keep getting better every day,” Hudson said.
Ellsworth coach Andy Pooler said his team had made a strong effort against Presque Isle, but had hurt themselves by letting the game get to 12-2 in the first, and missing many easy shots after that.
“I think we battled hard,” Pooler said. “But you know, Presque Isle made some big shots down the stretch.”
Ellsworth went 13-5 in the 2018-2019 season, beating Presque Isle (10-8) in the standings that year. The team has not been as dominant this year as it now sits at a 3-2 record. Presque Isle is now 5-1.
