With the inclusion of an open tournament format this year, the basketball postseason has featured a flurry of preliminary-round playoff games as teams jockey to earn a spot at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
The following is a recap of playoff games reported to the newspaper.
Boys basketball
Van Buren 58, East Grand 20 — At Van Buren Tuesday evening in a Class D North preliminary round contest, No. 3 Van Buren (11-6) defeated No. 14 East Grand (0-17). The Crusaders next face the winner of Wednesday’s No. 6 Schenck-No. 11 Deer Isle-Stonington in the quarterfinals, set for Monday, Feb. 21, at 11 a.m.
For East Grand, Derek Golding and Nathan Frye led the way with six points each, while Jathaniel Lindsey added four; Cameron Davis and Amos Lindsey both had two.
Van Buren scorers were not available.
Girls basketball
Katahdin 45, Jonesport-Beals 29 — At Stacyville Tuesday in a Class D North prelim, the No. 7 Katahdin Cougars advanced with a decisive win over No. 10 Jonesport-Beals.
The Cougars (9-9 overall) will next face No. 2 Wisdom (15-1) in the quarterfinals, 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
For Jonesports-Beals (4-15), Liberty White was their high scorer with nine points, while Jordyn Balicki and Lauren Crowley both had six.
Katahdin was led by Hunter Hartsgrove with 27 points, while Makayla Harstgrove added 10.
Deer Isle-Stonington 80, Easton 20 — At Stonington Tuesday in a Class D North prelim, the No. 4 Mariners (17-1) were victorious over No. 13 Easton (1-16).
Easton was led by Kaylee Boyce with 13 points, followed by Madison Seeley with five and MaKenzie Kinney chipped in two.
Deer Isle-Stonington was led by Luna Perry St. Peter with 34 points, followed by Macey Brown with 24 points and Maya Brown with seven. Maddy Eaton contributed an additional six points, Taytum Chase added another four and Katie Gell scored two. Megan Wendell chipped in one.
Central 40, Fort Fairfield 28 — At Corinth Tuesday, Feb. 15, in a Class C North prelim, the 4 Central Red Devils (16-3 overall) defeated No. 13 Fort Fairfield (7-10).
Fort Fairfield was led by Kassidy Gorneault with 13 points, followed by Laney Devine with five and both Carmyn Ala and Eva Callioras both scored four. Phoebe Solomon chipped in two.
Central was led by Isabelle Allen with 23 points, followed by Rylee Speed with 10 and Abigail Young with eight. Britni Grant added another four points, Alexyss Curtis scored three and Chloe Daigle added two. Grace Campbell chipped in one.
Schenck 44, Washburn 13 — At Millinocket Tuesday, Feb. 15, in a Class D North prelim, the No. 5 Wolverines advanced with a victory over No. 12 Washburn (3-14).
For Washburn, Logan Curtis led the team with six points, followed by Madelyn Johnston with four; Chelsea Hobbs, two; and Jaici Rosi-Carney, one.
For Schenck, Kristin Russel and Hannah Sewall both led the team with 12 points, followed by Abigail Perreault with six; Lidia Matarazzo, Priscilla Dickinson and Brooklyn McAvoy all scored four points each; and both Karleigh Freeman and Elizabeth Russel had two.
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — February 15, 2022 — Mia Casavant (34) and Myah Bragdon of the Wildcats battle for rebound against Belfast’s Jayden Philbrook during a Class B basketball playoff on Tuesday. Presque Isle won 68-22. (courtesy of Terry Sandusky)
Presque Isle 68, Belfast 22 — At Belfast Tuesday Feb. 15, in a Class B North prelim, the No. 4 Wildcats (13-6) defeated the No. 13 Lions (2-13).
For Presque Isle, the leading scorers were Faith Sjoberg with 24 points, followed by Anna Jandreau and Rossalyn Buck, who both scored nine. Sjoberg scored the 1,000th point of her career in the first quarter of Tuesday’s game.
For Belfast, the leading scorers were Audri Goodwin with 10 points, followed by Maddie Deans with nine.
Sumner 48, Central Aroostook 42 — At East Sullivan Tuesday in a Class C North prelim, the No. 4 Central Tigers (16-3) overall defeated visiting No. 9 Central Aroostook (10-9).
For Central Aroostook, Abby Haines led the team with 23 points, followed by Kira Fitzherbert with 13. Rylee Pierce added six.
For Sumner, Bri Flaherty led the team with 21 points, followed by Rachel Colby with 17 and Cailyn Hayward with 10.
Shead 42, Ashland 38 — At Ashland Tuesday in a Class D North prelim, No. 9 Shead (7-11) upset No. 8 Ashland (6-10) to advance to the quarterfinals. Individual results were not reported.
