Boys win AYBL championship

    The Houlton 7-8 grade boys won the 2011 Aroostook Youth Basketball League championship in Fort Kent on April 9.
    The 2011 boys team finished the regular season with an 11-2 record, winning the regular season title. This put them in first place in the seedings with Easton finishing second, while Dyer Brook finished third and Washburn rounded out the top four.
    The semifinal matchup was between Houlton and Washburn. This was a defensive battle the entire game with Houlton taking an early 5-2 lead after one, said coach Tim Guiod. Washburn took the halftime lead of 12-11. The second half opened up a little with both teams taking turns in the lead, with Houlton leading by two points going into the final quarter.
Contributed photograph
YOUNG PLAYERS — Playing in the 7-8 grade boys Aroostook Youth Basketball League were, from left, front, Matt Moran, Jacob Brown, Dana Brown, Jacob Carter and Keegan Gardner; back, coach Tim Guiod, Josh Upton, Devin Quint, Chris Hudson, Parker Brewer, Zach Guiod, Nick Hagan and coach Roger Brown.
    Devin Quint scored six of his game high 19 points to lead Houlton to a two-point lead with 15 seconds left in the game. After a missed shot by Washburn, Houlton was fouled sending Jacob Brown to the line with nine seconds left. Brown dropped both free throws to secure the 32-28 win. Brown finished with six points, while Chris Hudson added five.
    Next, Houlton faced Dyer Brook who pulled off a one-point win against a tough Easton team. Houlton and Dyer Brook split on the regular season, with Houlton taking a one-point win and two-point loss during the regular season.
    Houlton started out strong taking an early 12-5 lead after one, with Parker Brewer scoring four points in the quarter. Houlton played extremely well in the second quarter taking a commanding 15-point lead at the half. Hudson scored eight of his game-high 20 points.
    Houlton played well in the second half, controlling the pace of the game to pull away with the 50-31 win to become 2011 champions.  Devin Quint scored 10 points while Keegan Gardner added eight.
    Team members for Houlton were eighth-graders Chris Hudson, Keegan Gardner, Devin Quint, Jacob Carter and Nick Hagan, with seventh-graders Josh Upton, Dana Brown, Matt Moran, Parker Brewer, Zack Guiod and Jacob Brown. The team was coach by Guiod and Roger Brown.