The first round of the Aroostook County playoffs finally began Wednesday as girls teams took to the hardwood for a bundle of games.
The semifinal round takes place Friday for the girls, with a divisional championship planned for Monday, March 8. The overall championship, featuring the Class B/C champ taking on the Class D titlist will be played March 10.
The following is a recap of Wednesday’s playoff action.
No. 4 Fort Fairfield 48, No. 5 Hodgdon 32 — At Fort Fairfield, Kourtney West poured in 18 points to lead all players as the Tigers (7-6) beat Hodgdon in a Class B/C quarterfinal. Kassiday Gorneault chipped in 11 points, while Breanna Levasseur added nine, Camryn Ala had eight and Eva Callioras had two for the Tigers.
For Hodgdon (4-8), Sabra Scott paced the Hawks with 10 points, while Aleyah Matheson had eight, Anna Oliver and Marissa Dow each had five and Kylee Mooers added four.
Fort Fairfield made eight of 10 foul shots (80 percent), while Hodgdon was four of eight (50 percent) from the free throw line. The Tigers led 10-4, 24-14 and 38-27 at the quarter breaks.
With the win, Fort Fairfield advances to the semifinals, where the Tigers will face No. 1 Presque Isle (12-0) Friday at 6 p.m.
No. 4 Washburn 34, No. 5 Ashland 24 — At Washburn, the host-Beavers beat visiting Ashland in a Class D quarterfinal. Individual results were not reported. Washburn now faces No. 1 Wisdom (9-0) at St. Agatha Friday. The time of that game has yet to be determined.
No. 3 Katahdin 62, No. 6 Van Buren 23 — At Stacyville, the host-Cougars improved to 9-3 as the team rolled to an impressive victory over visiting Van Buren. Hunter Hartsgrove paced the winners with 18 points to lead all players.
Other scorers for Katahdin were: Dee Libby, 11; Maizy Cullen and Emily Beyer, both six; Emma McNally, Shelby Libby and Makayla Hartsgrove, each four; Addison Heath, three; and Avery Cullen, Mollie Goodman and Jayden Stevens, each two.
For Van Buren (2-11), Jayde Violette had eight points, Brooke Caron added six, Renee LaPointe chipped in four, Abby Ayotte had three and Kylie LaPlante two.
Katahdin led 19-0, 36-7 and 53-10 at the quarter breaks. The Cougars now face Southern Aroostook in the semifinals Friday (time and location to be determined).
Going in for a layup is Katahdin’s Hunter Hartsgrove during Wednesday’s Class D quarterfinal with Van Buren. Defending on the play are Van Buren’s Brooke Caron (left) and Abbie Cormier (right). Katahdin won 62-23. (Photo courtesy of Beth Somers)
Katahdin’s Emma McNally (left) and Van Buren’s Abby Ayotte race after the loose ball during Wednesday’s Class D quarterfinal. Katahdin won 62-23. (Photo courtesy of Beth Somers)
No. 2 Southern Aroostook 97, No. 7 Easton 16 — Playing at Easton due to a fire at Southern Aroostook Community School, the change in venue did little to slow down the Warriors. SA improved to 12-1 on the season. Easton finished at 0-13. Individual results were not reported.
Southern Aroostook now faces Katahdin in the Class D semifinal round. That game will likely be played at Katahdin as the Warriors home gym remains unavailable because of smoke damage at the school. SA is holding its practice sessions at Houlton Middle-High School.
In other girls playoff games Wednesday, No. 3 Central Aroostook beat No. 6 Fort Kent 53-31 and No. 2 Houlton beat No. 7 Caribou, 51-34.
