The Class C boys’ No. 2 team, Fort Fairfield, takes its 6-1 record and four-game winning streak into Mars Hill for a matchup against 6-3 Central Aroostook, which is in fourth place in Class D and has won both of its home games this season.
Summaries of Tuesday evening’s basketball action, which included a 3-point barrage by the Wildcat girls against Caribou and a third win in a row for Fort Fairfield, follows:
Girls
Presque Isle 76, Caribou 46
Eight of Presque Isle’s 16 successful 3-point shots came in a 28-point first quarter, leading the Wildcats to an impressive victory over Caribou Tuesday at PIHS.
“We didn’t go out and challenge aggressively enough,” said Viking coach Ryan Deprey. “They were only shooting about 35 percent [from 3-point distance] heading into the game and knew they weren’t going to stop shooting it, but we just didn’t challenge hard enough.”
PI ended up 16 for 32 from 3-point land in the contest. Emily Wheaton scored 14 first-quarter points, including four 3s, and finished with a team-high 20 points. Skylar Vogel was strong inside and tallied 14 points, while Emily Lagerstrom and Meg Boone fired in four 3-pointers points each for their 12-point totals.
“It was great to play at home again and we needed a confidence booster and I think we got it,” said PI coach Jeff Hudson.
PI is now 5-3 and currently in eighth place in the Class B North standings.
Gabrielle Marquis scored 15 points and freshman center Paige Espling added 10 for the 2-8 Vikings, currently in 12th place in the division.
“I can’t say enough about our team’s determination and hustle to try to get back into the game,” Deprey added. “We played pretty even with them for the last three quarters, but when a team makes eight 3s in the first quarter, it’s tough to come back.”
He said Marquis continues to show tremendous leadership and that Espling took a huge step for the team with her second-half play.
“She’s going to become a force defensively, changing and blocking shots,” Deprey said of the 6-footer.
Fort Fairfield 50, Hodgdon 28
At Fort Fairfield Tuesday, Cammi King-Demerchant recorded 13 points and 10 rebounds as the Tigers defeated the Hawks, avenging an earlier loss to Hodgdon on Dec. 23 and increasing their winning streak to three.
“After losing to Hodgdon by 14 two weeks ago, and knowing that Hodgdon was playing extremely well, I was really pleased with the effort our kids displayed on both ends of the floor, especially on the boards,” said Fort Fairfield coach Larry Gardner. “We are not big compared to most teams, especially Hodgdon, and when we can out-rebound them, it gives us a chance to win.”
Gardner was impressed with his team’s determination throughout the contest.
“It was the first game where I saw this much effort and the kids showed they wanted to win,” he said.
Three other players had huge outings for the Tigers, who improved to 4-5. Emma Campbell had 12 points and 10 steals, Marissa Brouette 11 points and Hunter St. Pierre 10 rebounds.
Kara Lambert paced Hodgdon (2-9) with 11 points.
Washburn 56, Van Buren 21
At Washburn Tuesday, Maggie Castonguay had 15 of her 20 points and six steals in the third quarter, breaking open a close game and propelling the Beavers past Van Buren.
Kassie Farley added 14 points, including six free throws, for the Beavers, who are now 5-4 and in eighth place in Class D North.
Tiffany Morrow’s 13 points, including two 3-pointers, led the 1-8 Crusaders.
Boys
Washburn 57, Van Buren 41
It was a four-point game at the end of three quarters, but Washburn’s Quintin Thompson registered 12 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Caleb Thompson had a huge outing with 25 points as the 3-5 Beavers defeated Van Buren (3-6) Tuesday.
Taylor Soucy had 13 points and Luc Perreault 10 for the Crusaders.
