WASHBURN, Maine — The Fort Fairfield girls basketball team beat Washburn at home on Monday 64-37, after a weak offensive performance from Washburn made them unable to keep up with its local rivals.
Fort Fairfield’s Kourtney West, left, defends Washburn’s Emma Johnston in a game on Monday, Dec. 30. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
Fort Fairfield held Washburn to only 11 points total in the second and third quarters. By the end of that time, Fort Fairfield had achieved a 26-point lead they would not relinquish.
Washburn started out playing strong. Junior Emma Johnston’s three field goals helped them take a 14-8 lead at the end of the first. It would be the only quarter they led throughout the game.
Fort Fairfield put down 22 points on the board in the second, the majority the result of 3-pointers from sophomore Camryn Ala and senior Cammi King-Demerchant. Washburn was only able to respond with six, driving Fort Fairfield to lead 30-20 at halftime.
Washburn continued to struggle offensively in the third, only putting up five points against the Fort Fairfield defense. Meanwhile, Fort Fairfield scored another 21, with baskets from six separate players, including three 3-pointers.
Fort Fairfield led by 26 at the end of the third with 51-25. It would be a lead they practically maintained through the fourth. Washburn was able to have a better offensive performance than quarters past, with 12 points, but it was not enough to prevent Fort Fairfield from taking home the win, 64-37.
Fort Fairfield’s Kassidy Gorneault, right, watches as teammate Kourtney West, center, and Washburn’s Emerson Turner, left, lurch for the ball in a game on Monday, Dec. 30. (David Marino Jr. | The Star-Herald)
Despite being on the losing side, Washburn junior Emma Johnston had the best game of the day, with 17 points, including making five out of seven free-throw attempts. She was the only Washburn player to have more than 10 points. Junior Raegyn Chavez was second with seven.
Senior King-Demerchant led Fort Fairfield with 13 points, including three 3-pointers. Junior Kourtney West had 12 points, and junior Brenna Levasseur scored 10.
While West said that she wants to improve on her rebounding ability, she was happy with how her team worked together to cement the win.
“We showed our team chemistry really well,” West said.
Fort Fairfield coach Larry Gardner said his team was ultimately propelled by its stellar defense, especially its man-to-man coverage on Washburn. He said Washburn, as a regional rival, was always a tough team to play against, especially on the road.
“It doesn’t matter who has a stronger team,” Gardner said. “It’s all kind of even when you come here to play.”
Washburn coach Jon Poisson said that his team had labored hard in the loss, but fatigue had ultimately undone them, especially on offense. He said his team had recently been unable to practice because of flu symptoms among several players.
“We gotta get back into it, and just keep working,” Poisson said. “It’ll lead to less mental mistakes.”
Both the home and away seats at Washburn District High School were moderately filled, though not full.
Over the course of the game, several Washburn fans took umbrage with the lack of fouls called on Fort Fairfield. One man continuously and loudly chided the referees on their officiating. Eventually, a ref threatened him with expulsion if he continued.
