Staff Writer
The Aroostook Youth Basketball League for 5-6 grade boys is under way.
The Houlton squad, coached by Marty Bouchard and Rob Moran, is made up of some of the same players from last year’s 10-0 title winning team. This year, several players moved up into an older age bracket. Playing this year are Chandler Brewer, Kyle Bouchard, Daniel Howe, Kole Buzzeo, Jacob Drew, Garrett Putnam, Nick Guiod, Jacob Condon, Noah Holmes and Elyjah Crockett.
The Houlton boys suffered their first loss of the season last Thursday at Central Aroostook High School, losing by a point to Caribou East, 38-37.
Trailing 10-8, the Houlton squad went on a 15-3 scoring run to erase the opening deficit for a 23-13 halftime lead. The third quarter was evenly played, as Houlton held a 33-22 advantage. Then, Caribou East put together their own scoring spurt in the final period, 16-4, to pull out the win.
Brewer led Houlton with 12 points, while Bouchard and Howe each dropped in six points apiece. Buzzeo and Drew chipped in with four apiece, while Putnam had three points and Crockett a hoop.
Caribou East’s top scorer and game-high scorer was Dayne Savage with 28 points.
Last Monday at Houlton High School, the young Shiretowners edged Caribou West, 27-25 behind balanced scoring.
After a slow first period, Caribou West outscored the Houlton team, 15-10 for a 16-12 halftime lead. The scoring was low in the third period, but Houlton chipped away at Caribou West’s lead, knotting the game at 17-all.
In the final period, Houlton edged Caribou West in scoring, 10-8 for the victory. Bouchard netted seven points, while Crockett added six points. Nick Guiod and Putnam each had four points, while Drew and Brewer rounded out the scoring.
The Houlton boys opened the season on Saturday, Nov. 10 with a doubleheader against the Valley teams — Madawaska and Fort Kent.
In the morning game against Madawaska at the elementary school, it was a tight game throughout. The Houlton boys led 15-13 to start the game and led by three at halftime, 23-20. The teams each scored eight points in the third period, which proved critical for the young Shires.
Holding a three-point lead, the Houlton boys were able to hold on for the one-point win, as Madawaska outscored them, 9-7 in the fourth quarter.
Howe led Houlton scorers with 10 points, followed by Brewer and Bouchard with eight points apiece. Buzzeo added four points, while Drew, Guiod, Putnam and Condon all chipped in with a hoop.
In the second game at Fort Kent High School, it was another close game, as Houlton led 16-15 at halftime. The Houlton squad outscored Fort Kent, 20-18 in the second half to pull out the 36-33 win.
Crockett was Houlton’s top shooter with 10 points, while Bouchard and Buzzeo both had eight points. Guiod and Brewer netted four points, and Condon added two more for the winners.
