Washburn girls open with 3 Ws
Mitchell Worcester nets 53 in boys’ victory over VB
By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
The Washburn girls’ basketball team has received a couple challenges, but still has won its first three games of the season under first-year coach Diana Trams.
BLOCKING THE PATH — Fort Fairfield freshman Taylor Churchill attempts to dribble past Washburn’s Mackenzie Worcester during Monday’s game. 
The Beavers won, 65-52.
The latest victory came on Monday at home. The Fort Fairfield Tigers led at the end of the first quarter and were within seven points in the final period before succumbing, 65-52.
Providing a bulk of the offense for the two-time defending Class D state champion Beavers was junior guard Carmen Bragg, who netted four three-pointers (three coming in the first quarter) and finished with 23 points.
She also had seven rebounds and four assists in the contest.
Olivia Doody overcame foul trouble to total 15 points. Carsyn Koch added 10 points and four assists.
Jessica Goshorn’s 14 points led Fort Fairfield. Whitney McNamee was strong inside and had 12 points, while Sydney Churchill posted 11.
Washburn also bested Van Buren on the road Friday, 54-37, behind 16 points and nine rebounds from freshman Grace Braley and 15 points from Mackenzie Worcester.
A 48-31 win over Southern Aroostook at home last Wednesday served as the team’s regular season debut.
The Presque Isle girls are also undefeated at 4-0 following Monday’s 61-34 victory over Houlton. The ’Cats led by 10 at intermission and expanded the margin to 18 with a strong third quarter both offensively and defensively.
Chandler Guerrette led PI with 15 points. Hannah Graham and Megan Ireland notched 14 and 11, respectively.
Coach Jeff Hudson’s squad also logged decisive wins over Fort Kent Thursday (82-19) and Old Town Saturday (71-23). Four players reached double figures in the home win over the Warriors, with Ireland leading the way with 14. At Old Town two days later, Graham had 14, Ireland 13 and Kayla Girardin posted a career-high nine.
PI next plays John Bapst at home Thursday beginning at 6 p.m.
Central Aroostook won its opener last Wednesday over Madawaska, 32-15, behind a stingy third-quarter defense which kept the host Owls off the scoreboard for the entire eight minutes. Page Fletcher scored 10 points and Kayla Cushman added eight to lead the offense.
The Panthers were beaten at home Saturday by Fort Kent, 49-35.
Easton lost at Limestone last Wednesday, 46-41 in overtime, but then rebounded for a 50-23 win over Ashland Friday. The Hornets are now 0-3 after also losing to Van Buren last Wednesday, 71-30, and to Southern Aroostook Monday, 58-18.
The Presque Isle boys battled back from a home loss to Houlton last Wednesday to down Old Town Saturday in overtime, 59-50.
The Wildcats received contributions from numerous players in the victory. Corey Willette had a big second quarter on both ends and finished with 11 points and five rebounds, Jonah Stephenson had 11 points and five boards, Cody Lyford netted 10 points, Brad Shields had seven points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots; and Tyler Brooks finished with 15 points, six coming in overtime, and blanketed reigning Big East player of the year Garrett Libby on the defensive end and limited him to 14.
Drew Bates and Jake Williams also filled their team roles aptly, according to PI coach Terry Cummings. The Wildcats were without reserve guard and defensive standout Ben Nickerson, who was out with an injury.
“This was a game where everyone gave us something,” Cummings said. “They give it their all and the defensive intensity was great to see, plus we had guys step up and hit the open shot.
“We are developing a very good bench, which will be critical as the season progresses,” added the second-year coach.
Presque Isle plays host to John Bapst Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Washburn boys received a 53-point performance from senior guard Mitchell Worcester Friday in a 90-42 win over Van Buren.
Worcester totalled 11 three-pointers in establishing a new single-game scoring record at WDHS. His previous personal record was 47 posted as a sophomore in an overtime game at Fort Fairfield.
Cameron Bragg added 14 points for the winners, who are now 2-0 heading into Thursday’s game against Wisdom in St. Agatha.
The Tigers tripped up Easton Monday, ending the Bears’ three-game winning streak to begin the season. Andrew Tuck nailed a pair of free throws with 1/10th of a second showing on the clock in the 55-53 victory. Andrew Lewis had 24 points and seven rebounds and Hunter Beaulieu had 16 points and eight assists to spur FF.
Jared Hafford’s 20 points led Easton. Logan Halvorson also had a strong game with 13 points and seven assists.
Central Aroostook is a perfect 4-0 following Monday’s 60-28 win at Ashland. Steven Decker was one of four Panther players in double figures as he had 17 points. Chandler Brewer had 13 and Spencer Garrison and Derek Rusby 10 each.
Tyler Levesque had 16 points for the Hornets. The senior also had 30 points in Friday’s 62-51 triumph over Limestone-MSSM.
The Panthers beat both Fort Fairfield and Madawaska in their other games last week.
Brewer was the scoring leader for CA against the Tigers, netting 34 points. Lewis had 19 and Logan Craig 15 for FF.
Brewer’s 19 points keyed the Panthers to a 62-53 win over the Madawaska Owls Friday.
