It looks like an exciting last week and a half of the regular schoolboy basketball season.
Central Aroostook and Washburn are at the top of the Eastern Maine Class D standings and have one more head-to-head match up on Feb. 7.
Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver
Washburn’s Jordan McLaughlin takes flight for a layup against Central Aroostook last Saturday night in Washburn. McLaughlin had 20 points to help the Beavers to the 10 point win.
In Class B Presque Isle is in seventh place and Caribou is in 11th. Those two teams will meet on the last day of the regular season on Feb. 10.
Here’s a recap of games played through Monday, Jan. 30:
Easton 58, Limestone/MSSM 38 — At Easton Monday, Jared Hafford scored 21 points, including four 3-pointers, to pace the Bears past the Eagles.
Reid Clark was right behind Hafford with 20 points for Easton (11-3) .
Cody Bryant scored 10 points for 6-10 Limestone Community School/Maine School of Science and Mathematics.
Washburn 74, Central Aroostook 64 — The game of the week was in Washburn Saturday night as the Beavers hosted top-ranked Central Aroostook.
A crowd of more than 575 packed into the Washburn High School gym. It was so crowded fans had to be turned away as the gym filled to capacity long before the game was to start.
Washburn coach Randy Norsworthy appreciated the support.
“It’s always fun when the gym is full with standing room only,” he said. There were players and coaches from Downeast Maine and the St. John Valley, so many traveled a long distance to see this game. I don’t think that many went away disappointed.”
That’s because both teams ramped up the energy level and produced an exciting contest.
Mitch Worcester powered the Beavers to the victory with 39 points. Jordan McLaughlin added 20 points, but it wasn’t the scoring output, which impressed coach Norsworthy.
“The key for Washburn in this game was we defended the post area very well not allowing entry passes into (Mike) McClung — this disrupted their offense. This type of defense allowed us to defend the post and stay out of foul trouble.”
Norsworthy said although the Beavers are known for offense the defense does have the ability to step up and will need to during the postseason.
The 13-2 Panthers were led by Steven Decker with 15 points. Brendan York added 14.
Aroostook Republican photo/Jon Gulliver
Caribou Viking Derek Richardson swoops in for two of his game-high 27 points against Hermon on Saturday. Caribou picked up their eighth win of the year.
These teams play again in Mars Hill on Feb. 7.
Caribou 56, Hermon 46 — At Caribou Saturday, the Vikings outscored the Hawks, 17-4, in the second quarter to take the lead, and held on for the victory.
Derek Richardson poured in 27 points, and Chad Caverhill scored 12 to lead 8-7 Caribou.
Hermon falls to 6-7.
Hodgdon 67, Limestone/MSSM 35 — At Hodgdon Friday, Chris Hudson and Nick Lunn each scored 19 points to help Hodgdon prevail and improve to 10-4.
Bryant scored 11 points to lead 6-9 Limestone.
Hodgdon 76, Limestone/MSSM 47 — At Limestone Jan. 24, Josh Hudson poured in 29 points to lead the Hawks to the victory.
Lunn connected for 16 points and C. Hudson popped in 14 for Hodgdon.
Chris Paradis paced Limestone Community School/Maine School of Science and Mathematics with 18 points. Brandon Thompson and Bret Butler added eight and seven, respectively.
Washburn 84, Fort Fairfield 51 — Washburn’s high-powered offense was in full force on Jan. 24 at home against Fort Fairfield. The Beavers put 84 points on the scoreboard and beat the Tigers by 33 points.
Worcester led the way for 11-1 Washburn with 25 points and 11 assists. McLaughlin added 19 points and Mason Turner had 11.
Andrew Lewis led the 4-10 Tigers with 18 points and 11 rebounds.
