Free throws give Machias girls the edge over Central Aroostook in overtime

by Staff Star Herald
10 years ago

    BANGOR, Maine — The team that makes the most of its free throws often has the best chance of winning. Just ask the Machias girls basketball team.
No. 5 Machias (15-5) defeated No. 13 Central Aroostook 44-38 in overtime Monday evening in Eastern Class D quarterfinal action. The Panthers finish their season with a 9-11 record.
In a game that featured four lead changes, neither team shot particularly well from the floor. Central Aroostook made just 15-of-48 field goals (31 percent), while Machias was 13-of-44 (30 percent) from the floor. But the Bulldogs showed poise in the extra period, outscoring Central Aroostook 8-2 in overtime and converting 18-of-27 foul shots to escape with the victory.
Machias’ junior Tate Dolley led all players with 19 points, including an 11-of-14 (77 percent) effort from the foul line, earning her Darling’s/BDN Player of the Game honors. Junior Kate Whitney chipped in 15 points, while junior Karyssa Norton added nine.
For Central Aroostook, junior Molly Anthony scored 13 points, while freshman Kassidy Levesque added 10 and sophomore Kelsey Dominique chipped in nine.
At various times during the game, Central Aroostook attempted to milk as much time off the clock as possible. Central Aroostook coach Joe Levesque’s game plan of ball movement by deception nearly paid off for the young Panthers.
“We were looking to get a lot of movement on offense, and maybe create a bit of confusion on defense,” Levesque said. “We’ve had a height disadvantage all year, so we needed to move the ball effectively. We have no reason to hang our heads. We went up against a No. 4 seed and beat them and took the No. 5 seed to overtime.”
Dominique sent the game into overtime when she sank a line-drive 3-pointer with nine seconds in regulation. She was 2-of-3 from behind the 3-point arc. No other player attempted a 3-pointer in the contest.
In the extra period, Machias leaned on Whitney and Dolley to carry the load as both players scored four points to secure the victory.