The postseason is coming into focus, as boys teams are winding up their regular seasons. However, many teams are still awaiting final placement, with at least one game left on their respective schedules.
The only undefeated team in the local area is the Houlton Shiretowners at 17-0, as they picked up a comeback victory over host Hodgdon last Saturday. (See accompanying story).
Preliminary games will be on Wednesday, Feb. 13 for the boys’ teams, with the Eastern Maine Classes B-C-D Tournament at the Bangor Auditorium Feb. 15-23. The state Class C championships will be in Augusta, while the Class D state championships will be in Bangor. Both games will be on March 2.
Taking a look at last week’s recaps:
Houlton 64, Lee Academy 41 — Last Tuesday in Houlton, the crowd came to watch a showdown, but instead, the Shires showed their post-play ability and surged to a comfortable win.
Lee Academy had taken the Shires into double overtime in Lee, as Houlton came out with a 71-69 win.
Houlton had a strong inside presence in the paint, making a difference in the contest, sparking an 11-point lead when Lee’s post players fell into foul trouble. But, the Shires’ point guard Nick Guiod played up to his level, scoring 21 points, with three assists and two steals. Kyle Bouchard added the inside strength with 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists, as did Dan Swallow, who knocked down nine points, but played very aggressive defensively. Kole Buzzeo was his composed self and added seven points.
Rounding out the scoring with a basket each were Elyjah Crockett, Dan Howe, Jake Condon and Noah Holmes.
The game was tied 12-all after one period, but Houlton outscored Lee 18-7 for a 30-19 halftime cushion. They maintained their momentum into the third, 42-29.
The Houlton junior varsity won, 53-34.
The Hodgdon Hawks have struggled the last week, dropping close decisions to Houlton (accompanying story) and Southern Aroostook. They played Limestone/MSSM yesterday and will close their regular season out Friday at home to Greater Houlton Christian Academy at 7 p.m.
Hodgdon 71, Fort Fairfield 49 — Last Wednesday in Fort Fairfield, the Hawks turned a four-point opening lead, 12-8, into a 17-point (37-20) halftime advantage and held a 13-point third-quarter lead (44-31) to pick up the win.
Josh Hudson scored a game-high 24 points, while Tyler Sherman netted 17. Chris Hudson tossed in 14 and Nick Lunn posted a dozen.
Southern Aroostook 59, Hodgdon 57 — The Warriors rose to the occasion and picked up a point-worthy win over visiting Hodgdon last Friday.
The Warriors opened the game on top, 17-16, and by halftime the Hawks had taken a 35-28 advantage. But, the Warriors stormed back in the third to cut the lead to 46-44, setting up an intense last eight minutes of the game.
With the game tied, Jesse Boulier of Southern Aroostook hit a buzzer-beater to give his team the win, as he scored 19 game points. Cameron Landry dropped in 15 and Will McGary added 11 more.
For Hodgdon, Chris Hudson hit a game-high 22 points, while brother Josh added 16 more.
Southern Aroostook 59, Katahdin 50 — The Warriors began stretching their lead last Tuesday, as they led 34-19 at halftime and pushed the lead to 49-31 to end the third.
Boulier shouldered the scoring load for SACS with a game-high 32 points, while Cody Lassonde chipped in with eight and McGary another seven.
It was big man Colton Bivighouse who kept Katahdin in the game with 27 points. Wyatt Morse finished with 10 and Gavin Russell added seven more.
In the junior varsity game, Katahdin won 59-35.
The Cougars’ last game of the regular season is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. against visiting Central Aroostook.
Southern Aroostook 60, Washburn 76 — Last Saturday, the Warriors couldn’t stay with Washburn in the second half.
Washburn led at the breaks: 16-10; 32-27; and 55-42.
Lassonde paced the Warriors with 16 points, while Trent Cullinan and Landry each tossed in 11 points, while Boulier scored a quiet eight and McGary six more.
Southern Aroostook 69, East Grand 40 — On Monday in Dyer Brook, the Warriors closed their regular season with a win.
The Warriors led at each of the breaks: 23-6; 41-19; and 57-28.
Boulier dropped in a game-high 24 points, while Justin Nelson added 14 points for the Warriors. Mason Caron added nine points; Cullinan, eight and McGary, six.
Kenneth Winiarski keyed the Vikings with 12 points and Logan Crone put in 11. Alex Brittain added seven points.
East Grand 55, Wisdom 64 — The Vikings came up short last Saturday in Wisdom, as Crone paced the Vikings with 24 points.
The Vikings close their season tonight at Acadia Christian.
GHCA 47, Easton 82 — The Bears jumped out early last Tuesday against visiting GHCA to pull away for the win with balanced scoring, as four Easton players hit double-figure scoring.
For GHCA, Deyrell Vargas led the way with 22 points and Russell Socoby finished with 15 more.
At the breaks: 21-7; 43-13; and 63-24 Easton.
The Eagles finish their season on Friday with a game in Hodgdon at 7 p.m.
GHCA 71, East Grand 64 — It was a good contest in Danforth last Wednesday, as the Eagles turned a six-point opening lead into a comfortable 42-28 halftime cushion. But the Vikings cut the deficit over the second half.
Vargas poured in 33 points for GHCA, while Socoby netted 16 and Dana Brown added eight. Craig Lincoln chipped in with seven, while Aaron Holmes had six and Josh Winslow one.
For East Grand, Winiarski scored 21 points, along with Crone’s 18 and Alex Stoddard’s 15.
GHCA 47, Van Buren 58 — Last Saturday in Van Buren, the Crusaders could not shake the Eagles until the final period by outscoring them 20-8 for the win.
Vargas and Socoby led the Eagles with 19 and 16 points, respectively. Lincoln finished with eight, Holmes three and Brown a point.
Van Buren led after the first half: 14-11; and 25-24; but the Eagles went ahead in the third, 39-38.
Katahdin 61, Ashland 38 — Last Friday in Stacyville, the Cougars pulled away in the final quarter, 23-4 to take the win.
At the breaks, Katahdin led 10-9; 28-13; and 38-34.
Bivighouse scored 23 points and Morse netted 11 more.
