Defensive scheme helps PI girls knock off MDI
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — An effective gimmick defense threw off Mount Desert Island’s talented senior tandem of Kelsey Shaw and Sierra Tapley Thursday afternoon, and the result was a resounding victory for the Presque Isle Wildcats and the end of the Trojans’ six-game winning streak to begin the season.
Olivia Hudson and Emily Wheaton drew the individual matchups in a triangle-and-two alignment, leading Shaw to miss eight of her first nine shots and Tapley eight of her first 12. As a result, Presque Isle was able to build a 23-point lead after three quarters on the way to an 80-57 final.
“We couldn’t solve that defense,” said MDI coach Brent Barker. “Presque Isle has a tremendous program, and they play with so much energy on their home floor. You’ve got to give them all the credit.”
MDI ended up going 24-for-72 from the field in the game.
The Wildcats displayed a brilliant shooting performance, both from the field and from the foul line. Presque Isle hit on 24 of its 37 field goal attempts (65 percent) and was 25 of 35 on free throws, including 13-for-13 over the final 4:57.
Wheaton, a sophomore, scored a career-best 27 points and junior Emily Lagerstrom had 21. Those two were particularly sharp by combining to hit 15 of their 19 attempts from the floor, with Wheaton going 8-for-11 and Lagerstrom 7-for-8.
“Those two were great,” said Barker. “Wheaton has grown so much as a player from her freshman season, and Lagerstrom has really developed her all-around game.”
After a tight first quarter, the Wildcats took control in the second and never let up. Wheaton’s conventional three-point play 1:40 into the period gave her team a 20-19 advantage, and Presque Isle never trailed again. It spearheaded a 15-2 run over a four-minute stretch that gave the hosts a 33-21 lead.
The Wildcats took advantage of foul trouble experienced by the Trojans. After their center, 5-foot-10 Keely McConomy, had to sit out while picking up her second foul early in the second quarter, Presque Isle went to work on the offensive end.
The Wildcats got the ball inside to their 6-1 center, Regan Nelson, who scored down low and also picked up an assist by kicking the ball out to Wheaton for the second of her two 3-pointers. That was part of the flurry that MDI was unable to answer.
“That was quite a performance,” said Presque Isle coach Jeff Hudson. “We hit our shots from everywhere and did a good job slowing down their two stars — everything came together for us.
“I think it is a real confidence booster and showed how we are capable of playing,” he added.
Presque Isle outscored MDI 39-17 over the second and third quarters.
Tapley hit a couple of late 3-pointers, Maya Watras (team-high 18 points) had nine fourth-quarter points, and Shaw tossed in six points as part of the Trojans’ 23-point fourth quarter, but they could get no closer than 14. Presque Isle was able to connect from the foul line, with Wheaton (8-for-8 in the quarter) and Lagerstrom (4-for-4) especially clutch down the stretch.
Taylor Williams netted a pair of 3-pointers and was 5-for-6 from the foul line in the game to end up with 11 points for the winners. She also had six rebounds. Nelson grabbed eight boards to go along with her six points. Skylar Vogel came off the bench to post seven points, and Hudson added six to go along with her superb defensive outing.
For MDI, Tapley finished with 14 points and Shaw had eight to go along with 10 rebounds.
Each team committed 14 turnovers, with MDI holding a 37-31 advantage in rebounding, but Presque Isle had one more than the Trojans over the final three quarters.
The Wildcats also won their other three games played last week and are 7-1 overall while moving all the way up to second place in the Class B North standings, just percentage points behind top-ranked Houlton.
PI beat Ellsworth, 63-38, last Wednesday at home. Wheaton netted three three three-pointers and had 21 points as the only double-figure scorer, but seven other players reached the scoring column, with Williams nailing three three-pointers in a solid shooting effort.
On Saturday, the Wildcats hosted Central of East Corinth and claimed a 57-35 win. Wheaton’s 19 points and Williams’ 12 led PI’s offense.
The ’Cats were back to work Monday with a road game at Fort Kent. PI scored a season-high in points in the 93-31 thrashing. Wheaton and Meg Boone scored 17 each, with Williams (11) and Lagerstrom (10) also in double figures. The Wildcats nailed 12 three-pointers in the game, with Boone leading with five.
