Two weeks of regular season games remain for high school basketball teams in the region. Several squads are solidly in the tournament picture, while others still have work to do if they wish to get there.
In Class B North, Caribou (13-3) is the top-ranked team, while Presque Isle (8-8) is seventh for the boys, while for the girls, Presque Isle (8-7) is seventh. All three are in the playoff picture. The Caribou girls (2-14) are out of the running this year barring upsets in their final two games and some help. The top 11 teams in this division make the playoffs, while finishing in the top eight guarantees either a bye into the quarterfinals (for those in the top five) or a home game for the preliminary round.
In Class C North, both Central Aroostook squads remain as the top seeds in the region. The Panther boys are 13-2 on the year, and hold a slim lead over No. 2 Houlton (12-3). The Shires beat CA twice during the regular season. The Hodgdon boys (6-8) are 17th and out of the playoff mix this year. For the girls, CA (12-2) has a narrow lead over Dexter (11-3). Houlton (8-7) is sixth, while Hodgdon (8-7) is 11th. The top 14 teams qualify for the postseason, with only the top two earning a bye, while those in the third through eighth spots host a prelim round.
In Class D North, the Southern Aroostook girls (13-2) are back in the top spot following Saturday’s big win over Class C Madawaska. Washburn (5-9) is sixth, Ashland (6-8) is seventh, Katahdin (6-7) is eighth. All four squads have solidified their spots in the postseason. East Grand (0-10) is 13th and Easton (0-14) is 14th. Neither squad is in the playoff mix this season.
For the boys, Greater Houlton Christian Academy (11-2) slipped to third in the standings, while Easton (9-5) is fourth, Southern Aroostook (7-7) is fifth. All three are locks for the playoffs. Washburn (4-11) is 11th, but could sneak into the postseason with a strong finish. Ashland (2-13) is 13th and Katahdin (2-12) is 14th. Neither squad is likely to make the postseason this year as only the top 10 teams in D move on to the playoffs. The top six get byes straight to the quarterfinal round of the tourney while placing seventh or eighth translates into a home prelim contest.
Summaries of games played Jan. 21-26 are as follows:
Girls
Southern Aroostook 68, Madawaska 42 — At Dyer Brook Saturday, the Warriors picked up their fourth straight victory with a big win over Class C Madawaska. The visiting Owls fell for just the second time on the season and are now 11-2 on the year. Makaelyn Porter had 25 to lead the Warriors, while Jenna Dugal had 15 for the Owls.
Shead 44, Hodgdon 27 — At Baileyville Saturday, Sabra Scott led Hodgdon with 10 points, while Mooers and Allie Winship each added five. Shead was paced by Ryleigh Andrews with 15 points, while Justine Cheney added 14.
MDI 52, Presque Isle 37 — MDI broke out to an 18-5 lead after one quarter and used strong defense throughout to handle the Wildcats in Presque Isle Saturday. Maddy Candage scored 19 points to lead MDI. Molly Kingsbury scored 12 points and Madison Michaud netted nine for PI.
Ellsworth 53, Caribou 46 — The Vikings held the lead after three quarters before the Eagles outscored them 18-9 in the fourth to come out on top Saturday in Caribou. Kylie Robidoux scored 21 points in the victory, while Alexis Rodriguez and Paige Espling tossed in 16 and 11, respectively, for the Vikings.
Fort Fairfield 53, Ashland 28 — The Tigers picked up their 11th win of the season Saturday in easy fashion. Cammi King-DeMerchant scored 16 points and Riley Clough contributed 10 for Fort Fairfield. For the host Hornets, Jamie Poulin had nine points and Olivia Tardie eight.
Van Buren 50, Easton 22 — The Crusaders kept the Bears winless with Friday’s triumph in Easton. Leah Gendreau and Brooke Caron scored 13 points each for the Crusaders, while Cecilia Morin’s 14 points paced 0-14 Easton.
Fort Kent 41, Ashland 30 — Hannah Daigle hit for 11 points, including seven foul shots, as the Warriors prevailed in Friday’s game at Ashland. Willow Hall had eight points and Jamie Poulin and Hailee Cunningham seven each to power the Hornet offense.
Presque Isle 54, Ellsworth 52 — The Wildcats came back from an 18-point deficit late in the third quarter with a furious rally to defeat the Eagles at home Friday. Madison Michaud connected on two free throws with seven seconds left for the winning points. She finished with 12 points, while Faith Sjoberg posted 19 to lead the way. Maggie Castonguay added 10. Trinity Montigny scored 10 for Ellsworth.
Houlton 46, Mattanawcook Academy 37 — The Shires picked up their second win in three days at Houlton edged the visiting Lynx of Lincoln Jan. 25. Mia Henderson led the Shires with 15 points and six rebounds, while Olivia Henderson had 11 points and three rebounds; Abbie Worthley and Rebecca Howe combined for 11 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.
MDI 68, Caribou 34 — The Trojans doubled up on the Vikings Friday, with Hannah Chamberlain scoring 16 points to lead the attack. Brianna Reece, Alexis Rodriguez and Sage Dubay all scored six points for the host Vikings.
Fort Fairfield 44, Washburn 37 — Camryn Ala and Amber Sherwood led a balanced offense with 10 points each as the Tigers won at home on Jan. 23. Emma Johnston turned in a breakout performance in the loss, firing in a career-high 22 points for the Beavers.
Houlton 50, Central Aroostook 35 — At Mars Hill Jan. 23, Mia Henderson tallied a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Shires to victory. Rebecca Howe added 17 points and Olivia Henderson had six. Houlton trailed 15-8 after the first period, but then went on a 29-4 run through the second and third quarters. Houlton shot 20-of-28 from the foul line. “This was a great team win for us,” Houlton coach Shawn Graham said. “It was our best all around performance of the season.”
Southern Aroostook 63, Hodgdon 28 — At Dyer Brook Jan. 23, Southern Aroostook’s Makaelyn Porter netted 15 points, while Kylie Vining added 12 as the Warriors cruised to victory. Sydney Brewer added nine and Kassidy Mathers had eight for SA. For Hodgdon, Kora Lambert had 10 points and Kylee Mooers and Lauren McGillicuddy each had six.
Washington Academy 50, Caribou 38 — The Raiders captured their first victory of the season after suffering 12 consecutive losses when they defeated the Vikings in East Machias Jan. 23. Individual scoring was not reported.
Ashland 38, Washburn 34 — The Hornets came back against the Beavers in Washburn Jan. 22 thanks to a 17-8 fourth-quarter run. Olivia Tardie powered Ashland with 12 points and Willow Hall added 10 off the bench. Kassandra Farley hit four 3-pointers and finished with 20 points for Washburn.
Hermon 49, Presque Isle 37 — The Hawks took the lead in the second quarter and held off a couple Wildcat surges to win the Jan. 21 game in Presque Isle. Caitlin Tracy was strong inside and paced Hermon with 19 points. Madi Curtis chipped in with 10. Faith Sjoberg was the leading scorer for PI with 15 points. Maggie Castonguay and Molly Kingsbury added nine and eight, respectively.
Boys
MDI 53, Presque Isle 40 — The Trojans jumped to a big lead after the first quarter and held on for Saturday’s victory in Presque Isle. Derek Collin scored 13 of his game-high 26 points in the opening period to key MDI. Three players hit for double figures for the Wildcats, with Caleb Wheaton tallying 13, Trace Cyr 12 and Jonah Hudson 10.
Caribou 83, Ellsworth 51 — The Vikings ran past the Eagles Saturday, led by Parker Deprey’s 31-point output. Isaac Marker was also in double figures for Caribou with 18. Jackson Curtis and Darby Barry each scored 13 for Ellsworth.
Fort Fairfield 65, Ashland 35 — On Saturday in Ashland, the Tigers came out on top for the second time this season over the Hornets. Individual scoring details were not reported.
Southern Aroostook 77, Madawaska 28 — At Dyer Brook Saturday, the Warriors had little trouble against visiting Madawaska. Individual results were not reported.
Washburn 62, Wisdom 57 — The Beavers earned their fourth victory of the season and put themselves in playoff position with Friday’s triumph in St. Agatha. Individual scoring details were not reported.
Easton 41, Van Buren 29 — Isaac Currier scored 10 points and Austin Carver added eight as the Bears won in a low-scoring affair Friday in Easton.
Fort Kent 75, Ashland 22 — The Warriors won big at Ashland Friday. Individual scoring details were not reported.
Ellsworth 65, Presque Isle 60 — After trailing throughout, the Eagles rallied late to garner the win at Presque Isle Friday. Ellsworth’s Jackson Curtis posted 22 points, including 13 in the first quarter to keep his team close. Caleb Wheaton paced PI with 21 points. Jonah Hudson scored 17 and Jason Dumais had 11 in the first half before leaving with an injury.
Caribou 67, MDI 55 — The Vikings led 27-3 midway through the second quarter and toppled the Trojans Friday. Isaac Marker had 20 points, Alex Bouchard 19 and Sawyer Deprey 11 to lead Caribou in scoring. Derek Collin’s 22 points paced MDI.
Houlton 59, Mattanawcook Academy 46 — The Shires picked up their third straight victory, and another big win against a highly-seeded opponent, at Houlton Friday. Individual results were not reported.
GHCA 64, Fort Fairfield 56 — On Thursday in Fort Fairfield, the Eagles went on a late run to defeat the Tigers in a back-and-forth game. Parker Brewer had 18 points, Isaac Potter 16 and Austin Winslow 11 for GHCA, while Colby Langner scored 21 points and Dawson Watson added 14 for Fort Fairfield. GHCA trailed 15-10 in the first quarter and 32-26 at halftime before seizing a 45-41 after three periods
Woodland 59, Southern Aroostook 48 — At Baileyville Jan. 24, the Warriors played competitively against top-ranked, and undefeated Woodland (12-0). Individual results were not reported.
Houlton 75, Central Aroostook 59 — Keegan Gentle’s 23 points lead the Shires to Thursday’s home win and a sweep in their season series against the Central Aroostook Panthers, who had their 13-game winning streak snapped. Nolan Porter and Nick Brewer added 12 points each for Houlton, while Ben Thomas powered the Panther offense with 25 points. Brayden Bradbury added 13 points.
Caribou 79, Washington Academy 64 — At East Machias Jan. 23, Parker Deprey erupted for 28 points as the Vikings kept their winning streak alive. Evan Ackley’s 12 points led WA.
Washburn 53, Ashland 27 — The Beavers picked up their third win of the season, downing the Hornets at home Jan. 22. Patrick Saucier led the winning offense with 16 points and Beckam Vaughn added eight. Josh Celestre, Gabe Page and Blayne Boutot tallied six points each for Ashland.
Southern Aroostook 80, Katahdin 23 — At Stacyville Jan. 22, the Warriors rolled over Katahdin. Individual results were not reported.
Hermon 52, Presque Isle 43 — The Wildcats were tied with the No. 1 Hawks at halftime before the visitors used a strong inside game to take over after intermission in a Jan. 21 contest. Isaac Varney led Hermon with 16 points, Eli Reed nailed four 3-pointers for 12 more points and Cody Hawes chipped in with 10. Jason Dumais led PI with 17 points, including three 3-point field goals. Jonah Hudson added 14.
Central Aroostook 51, Easton 39 — Brayden Bradbury scored 15 points, including a dunk, to lead the Panthers to the win at Easton Monday, Jan. 21. Matthew Pangburn netted a game-high 16 to pace the Bears.
