DYER BROOK, Maine — The defending Class D boys and girls state champs from Southern Aroostook have looked every bit the part in the early games of the winter basketball season.
Both squads were perfect on the year as of Thursday, Dec. 22, with the girls sitting atop the Class D North standings, while the boys are currently third.
The Warrior boys are 4-0 on the year and are averaging 74.5 points per game. Even more impressive, though, is that the team is allowing an average of just 25 points to its opponents.
Not to be outdone, the SA girls are 3-0 on the season, with a Dec. 22 game at Calais on tap before a brief break for the holidays. In its three games thus far, the Warrior girls are averaging 66 points per game, while allowing just 26 points to the opposition.
On Tuesday, the Warrior girls hosted Katahdin and made quick work of the visiting Cougars, 77-25. Southern Aroostook opened the game with a 12-0 scoring run before Katahdin had time to react, scoring multiple points off turnovers thanks to the team’s trademark pressure defense.
Katahdin finally got on the board with 3:39 remaining in the first quarter, but by then it was too late because the Warriors had built a commanding lead.
For SA, Cami Shields had 24 points to lead all players. Maddie Shields chipped in 10, while Maddie Russell and Callie Russell each had nine; Libby Anderson tallied eight; Ally Shields added seven; Emmalee Landry had five; and Hannah McGary and Alexa Hersey each had two.
For Katahdin, Hunter Hartsgrove paced the Cougars with 16 points, while Elizabeth Lane added four, Mickenzie Landry chipped in three and Emily McNally had two.
Southern Aroostook led 27-2, 47-8 and 64-17 at the quarter breaks.
On Monday, the SA boys hosted Class C Hodgdon in what could have been a much closer contest had the visiting Hawks had a full roster. The Warriors built a commanding 21-2 lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back en route to a 76-31 win.
Hodgdon played Monday’s game without several starters, including the Hawks’ ace Walker Oliver, who is nursing a hamstring injury.
Dylan Burpee poured in 29 points for the Warriors to lead all players. Graham Siltz, Buddy Porter and Brennan Burpee each added 12 points, while Trafton Russell had four; Drake Weston added three; and Ethan Collier and Lincoln Hardy both had two.
For the Hawks, Drew Duttweiler was a one-man show as he led the team with 22 of the Hawks’ 31 points. David Tuttle, Caleb Tuttle, Daniel Clark and Brody Little each had two points, while Wyatt Sanford had one.
Southern Aroostook led 21-2, 39-8 and 60-12 at the quarter breaks.
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 21, 2022 — Madison Shields (left) of Southern Aroostook looks for a teammate to pass to while guarded by Katahdin’s Hunter Hartsgrove during Tuesday’s game. Southern Aroostook won 77-25. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 20, 2022 — Ripping down the rebound is Southern Aroostook’s Graham Siltz (right) over Hodgdon’s Caleb Tuttle during a Dec. 20 game in Dyer Brook. The Warriors beat Hodgdon 76-31. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 20, 2022 — Southern Aroostook’s Dylan Burpee (left) dribbles around Hodgdon defenders David Tuttle and Reiley Wright during a Dec. 20 game in Dyer Brook. The Warriors beat Hodgdon 76-31. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 20, 2022 — Going strong to the hoop is Southern Aroostook’s Brennan Burpee (left) while guarded by Hodgdon’s Brody Little during a Dec. 20 game in Dyer Brook. The Warriors beat Hodgdon 76-31. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 20, 2022 — Hodgdon’s Reiley Wright (right) passes the ball while guarded closely by Southern Aroostook’s Trafton Russell during a Monday, Dec. 20 game. The Warriors beat Hodgdon 76-31. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 20, 2022 — Southern Aroostook’s Drake Weston (right) and Hodgdon’s Caleb Tuttle dive to the floor for a loose ball during a Monday, Dec. 20 game in Dyer Brook. The Warriors beat Hodgdon 76-31. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 21, 2022 — Eyeing the rim during a free throw attempt are Southern Aroostook’s Maddie Russell (left) and Katahdin’s Mickenzie Landry. Southern Aroostook won 77-25. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 21, 2022 — Lunging for the ball are Southern Aroostook’s Callie Russell (middle) and Katahdin’s Hunter Hartsgrove (right) during a Tuesday evening game. Looking on is Cougar Avery Cullen. Southern Aroostook won 77-25. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 20, 2022 — Reaching up for the ball while rebounding is Southern Aroostook’s Dylan Burpee (middle) and Hodgdon’s Drew Duttweiler. Looking on is Hodgdon’s Reiley Wright. The Warriors beat Hodgdon 76-31. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 21, 2022 — Veteran Katahdin coach Shaun McAvoy speaks to Hunter Hartsgrove during a timeout of Tuesday’s game with Southern Aroostook. The Cougars fell 77-25. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
DYER BROOK, Maine — December 21, 2022 — Katahdin’s Jayden Stevens (right) is guarded closely by Southern Aroostook’s Cami Shields during Tuesday’s game. Southern Aroostook won 77-25. (Joseph Cyr | Houlton Pioneer Times)
