HOULTON, Maine — Facing a 20-point deficit midway through the third quarter, Tuesday evening Caribou boys basketball coach Kyle Corrigan knew he had to mix things up a bit to get his squad back in the game.
Houlton (9-2) dominated the visiting Vikings (9-3) throughout the first half, racing to a 36-23 halftime lead. That lead ballooned to 49-29 in the first few minutes of the third quarter.
But then coach Corrigan changed his defense from the 1-2-2 zone that had been so effective last week when the Vikings played Presque Isle (a 62-43 victory Jan. 9 for Caribou) to a more aggressive, full-court press.
Rebecca Howe, left, of Houlton tries a one-handed shot as Caribou’s Taylor LaBreck defends during Monday night’s game in Houlton. The Shires won 53-47 in overtime. (Joseph Cyr)
“We definitely felt the momentum turn for us,” the coach said. “That pressure really helped us.”
Caribou trailed 49-29 with 3:33 to play in the third quarter, when the Vikings switched its defense, which frustrated Houlton, resulting in numerous turnovers and points off those turnovers to see Caribou climb back into the game. The Vikings finished with a 43-16 run to win 72-65.
Isaac Marker led the Vikings with 27 points, including 19 in the final quarter of action. Parker Deprey chipped in with 22 points for Caribou, while Alex Bouchard added 14.
Houlton, whose only two losses on the season are to Caribou, received a 31-point effort from Keegan Gentle, while Nolan Porter added 14 and Nick Brewer had 13.
On Monday, the Houlton and Caribou girls squads met on the hardwood, with the Shires picking up a 53-47 overtime victory. Olivia Henderson led the Shires with 15 points, while Kennedy Buzzeo had 13. Individual results for Caribou players were not reported.
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- Trying to come up with the loose ball during a Monday night game in Houlton are, from left, Caribou’s Emily Collins, Houlton’s Samantha Condon and Olivia Henderson and Viking Taylor LaBreck. The Shires won in overtime 53-47. (Joseph Cyr)
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- Caribou’s Sawyer Deprey (30) and Isaac Marker (24), and Houlton’s Nick Brewer all reach for the loose ball during rebounding action Tuesday night in Houlton. The Vikings rallied to beat Houlton 72-65. (Joseph Cyr)
