HODGDON, Maine — The Hodgdon boys and girls varsity basketball squads had their hands full with the visiting Panthers of Central Aroostook Wednesday evening in a doubleheader.
With the regular season rapidly coming to a close, all four teams were looking to better their positions in the standings for the upcoming tournament.
The Hodgdon girls rallied from a first-quarter deficit to beat Central Aroostook 60-51, while the Hawk boys used a strong second-half surge to defeat CAHS 70-53.
With the victories the Hodgdon girls improve to 14-2 on the season and are ranked fifth in Class C North as of Thursday morning. Central Aroostook drops to 9-8 on the year and is ninth in the same division.
The Hodgdon boys improved their record to 11-6 and are ranked ninth in Class C North, while Central Aroostook is now 6-10 and ranked 16th in the same region.
In the girls contest, Central Aroostook’s Abby Haines led all players with 24 points. Panther teammate Kira Fitzherbert chipped in with 12 points, while Rylee Pierce added seven; Harley Allen and Izabel Pryor each had three; and Mallory Kingsbury added two.
For Hodgdon, Anna Oliver tossed in 14 points, followed by Sadie Thompson and Monique Polchies, both with 12. Aleyah Matheson added nine points, while Meghan Peters chipped in eight points, and Marissa Dow added five.
Central Aroostook took an early 13-9 lead in the first quarter on the strength of Haines’ seven-point effort. Hodgdon gained momentum in the second quarter, outscoring the Panthers 22-13 to take a 31-26 lead into the half.
The Panthers refused to go quietly and kept Hodgdon’s lead under 10 points for much of the second half. Hodgdon led 46-37 at the end of the third quarter.
In the minute of regulation, the Panthers managed to cut Hodgdon’s lead to seven points (58-51), but the Hawks hung on for the win.
Hodgdon converted 11 of 18 free throws (61 percent), while Central Aroostook made 9 of 18 foul shots (50 percent).
In the boys contest, Central Aroostook’s Lucas Haines led all players with 27 points. Panther teammates Frankie Kearney added 11 points; Hunter Charette had nine; Chase Hentosh added three; John Coffin had two; and Liam Shaw scored one.
For Hodgdon, Walker Oliver tossed in 24 points, while Troy Hipsley added 16; Drew Duttweiler chipped in 12; Caleb Nash added nine; Oisin Gardiner had eight; and Caleb Tuttle scored one.
The two squads battled to a 17-17 tie at the end of the first quarter, before Hodgdon was able to take a 37-31 lead into the locker room at the half. The Hawks took control in the third quarter, racing to a 55-44 lead and never looked back.
Hodgdon converted eight of 10 foul shots (80 percent), while the Panthers made seven of 15 (47 percent) of its free throws.
HODGDON, Maine — February 9, 2022 — Central Aroostook’s Lucas Haines stays focused on the rim as he soars through the air with an underhanded scoop shot during Wednesday night’s game in Hodgdon. Defending on the play are Hawks, from left, Caleb Tuttle, Troy Hiplsey, Caleb Nash and Drew Duttweiler. Hodgdon won 70-53. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — February 9, 2022 — Hodgdon’s Walker Oliver (32) comes down with a rebound during Wednesday night’s game with Central Aroostook. To the right is Panther John Coffin. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — February 9, 2022 — Central Aroostook’s John Coffin powers his way to the basket while guarded by Hodgdon’s Caleb Nash (12) and Troy Hipsley. To the right is Panther Frankie Kearney. Hodgdon beat CAHS 70-53. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — February 9, 2022 — Central Aroostook’s Kira Fitzherbert (right) tries to dribble around Hodgdon’s Marissa Dow during Wednesday night’s game. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — February 9, 2022 — Chasing down the ball is Hodgdon’s Meghan Peters (right) while guarded by Central Aroostook’s Izabel Pryor during Wednesday night’s game. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — February 9, 2022 — Central Aroostook’s Abby Haines (left) puts up a shot over the outstretched arms of Hodgdon’s Anna Oliver during a Wednesday night game. Hodgdon won 60-51. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
HODGDON, Maine — February 9, 2022 — Hodgdon’s Aleyah Matheson (left) and Central Aroostook’s Harleigh Allen grapple for the loose ball during a Wednesday evening basketball game in Hodgdon. The Hawks beat CAHS 60-51. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
