Varsity basketball teams wrapping up regular season
The final Heal Point basketball standings will become official this weekend, with some local teams finding out who their opponent will be in the preliminary playoff round (next Tuesday and Wednesday), others drawing a bye directly into the Eastern Maine Tournament at the Cross Center in Bangor, which begins Feb. 13, and a handful seeing their seasons come to an end.
In Class D, both Washburn teams appear close to sewing up No. 1 positions. The girls will definitely be the top seed and take a 17-0 record into tonight’s regular season finale against Easton, while the boys are 14-1 with pointworthy home games left against No. 3 Southern Aroostook and No. 2 Easton tonight and Thursday, respectively.
The Bears were 14-2 entering Tuesday night’s make-up game against Katahdin. Fort Fairfield is currently fourth at 12-3, having played at Van Buren Tuesday and taking on Southern Aroostook Thursday at home before finishing up with Hodgdon, also a home game.
Ashland holds onto the ninth position with their 5-11 mark. They played Madawaska Tuesday and battle LCS-MSSM in the finale tonight in Limestone. The Eagles are 2-14 and out of the playoff picture.
In Class B, Caribou is seventh with its 10-5 record and began a stretch of games Tuesday at home against Houlton. Games against Presque Isle Thursday and Hermon Friday will close out the regular season. The Wildcats are 3-13 and in 15th place and a win over Caribou could get the team close to a playoff berth.
For the girls, Easton is 12-5 heading into the home game against Washburn and finds itself in second place. A win over the Beavers would secure their No. 2 ranking, while a loss could allow four teams behind them to move up, depending on how their final games go. The Tigers were fifth at 13-2 heading into Tuesday’s big game against No. 4 Van Buren. The Tigers also play Central Aroostook and Fort Kent later in the week.
Central Aroostook is 12th with an 8-9 mark. LCS/MSSM (4-12) and Ashland (2-14) both are out of contention for the playoffs.
The 14-2 Presque Isle girls will most likely finish in second place, pending the outcome of Tuesday’s make-up game against No. 5 John Bapst in Bangor. The Wildcats finish up at home against Caribou tonight. The Vikings were 2-13 heading into their final three games, which began with a home match against Class C power Houlton Tuesday. They are most likely out of the playoff picture.
Summaries of games played through Monday, Feb. 2 are as follows:
Washburn girls 86, Central Aroostook 36 — At Washburn Monday, Mackenzie Worcester recorded 31 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists and four steals to propel her team to victory and continue the perfect season.
Joan Overman chipped in with 12 points and five steals for the winners, while Emmy Churchill and Natalie Doody each added 10 points.
Delaney Grass paced the Panthers with 11 points and Isabelle Wright added 10.
Easton boys 71, Van Buren 39 — The Bears pulled away late in the second quarter en route to the home win over the Crusaders Saturday. Logan Halvorson led the way with a game-high 25 points, including seven three-pointers. Drew Sotomayor chipped in with 12 points for Easton.
Andre Rossignol paced the Crusaders with 19 points.
Easton girls 59, Central Aroostook 26 — Hannah Ferris scored 17 points to lead the Bears to the win at home Friday. Kalie Ward added 15 points for the winners.
Karli Levesque paced the Panthers with 11 points, while Kassie Levesque posted nine.
Easton boys 55, Central Aroostook 33 — At Mars Hill Thursday, Halvorson and Sotomayor each scored 14 points to lead the Bears past the Panthers. Jake Flewelling and Cody Halvorson netted eight each for the victorious Easton squad.
Colby Kingsbury paced CAHS with nine points, while Zachary Crouch and Caleb Harris each chipped in with eight.
Washburn boys 65, Fort Fairfield 46 — The host Beavers avenged their only loss of the season Thursday with a victory behind a balanced scoring attack.
Washburn was led by Noah Farley’s 15 points and Jarrett Olson’s 14 points and 10 rebounds. Cameron Bragg, Noah Caron, Derek Baker and Cameron Preston added to the balance with 10, nine, eight and seven points, respectively.
Fort Fairfield was powered by Hunter Beaulieu’s 16 points and Robbie Watson’s 14.
Kyle Rider led the way for Presque Isle with 13 points and freshman Randon Mortland added 10.
Central Aroostook girls 59, Katahdin 48 — At Stacyville Thursday, Central Aroostook defeated Katahdin behind Molly Anthony’s game-high 22 points. Kassie Levesque added 14 points for the Panthers and Kelsey Dominique chipped in with 10.
Natalie Rickards led Katahdin with 14 points.
Washburn boys 99, Ashland 43 — At Ashland last Wednesday, Olson’s 23 points led the Beavers to the lopsided victory.
Preston added 13 points for the winners and Brandon Cropley netted 11.
Cody Blair scored 22 points to lead Ashland.
Presque Isle girls 50, Houlton 36 — Krystal Kingsbury poured in 21 points to propel the host Wildcats to victory over the Shiretowners of Houlton last Wednesday.
Regan Nelson added 12 points and Hannah Graham chipped in 10 to help the cause.
Kolleen Bouchard netted 18 points to lead the Shires. Both of their losses this season have come at the hands of the Wildcats.
Washburn girls 49, Fort Fairfield 44 — At Fort Fairfield last Wednesday, Washburn came from behind late in the third quarter and went eight for eight from the foul line in the final period to pull out the win over the Tigers. Worcester led the Beavers with 18 points, including 10 free throws.
Overman added 12 points for Washburn.
Fort Fairfield was led by Chelsey Pelkey and Taylor Churchill with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
