Running game lifts Beavers past Machias
BANGOR, Maine — The top-seeded Washburn High School Beavers and their turnover-producing, full-court pressure proved too much for the fifth-seeded Machias Bulldogs.
Senior guard Mackenzie Worcester poured in a game-high 23 points, dished out 10 assists and also had five rebounds and three steals to lead the four-time defending Class D state champion Beavers to a 70-28 triumph.
Junior guard Emmy Churchill had a career-high 19 points, including 14 in the first half as Washburn built a 37-13 lead. Churchill also finished with seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
Senior guard Joan Overman contributed 12 points, five rebounds, five steals and two assists.
The 15-6 Bulldogs, who started four juniors and a freshman, were led by junior center Tate Dolley’s 13 points and game-high 14 rebounds. Junior guard Katie Whitney had five points, nine rebounds and two assists.
Washburn used a 12-0 run in the first quarter, featuring seven points and an assist by Worcester and three points by Churchill, to expand its lead to 20-4. It then rattled off the last nine points of the half to take a comfortable 24-point bulge into the intermission.
“They’re really fast and really aggressive,” Dolley said.
“We wanted to shut them down early and get them discouraged,” said Worcester. “We try to create turnovers with our hard pressure defense. We aren’t very tall, so if we pressure and trap out high and not allow teams to get the ball into the post, that leads into our fast-break opportunities.”
The Beavers also shot the ball well, connecting on 53.4 percent of their field-goal attempts.
“They shot the ball extremely well,” said Machias coach Brad Prout. “We had scouted them and virtually every shot they had made was inside the paint area. Today, they were making everything from everywhere.”
Worcester said Churchill “came through big for us.”
“Once she started hitting outside, that helped me and Joan [Overman]. It opens up the inside for Joan,” said Worcester, who added that Churchill has worked hard on her shooting.
“She deserves [her success],” said Worcester.
Churchill said she was able to get into a rhythm and “[Worcester] helped me.”
