Washburn and CAHS battle for top spot
in Eastern Maine Class D
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.
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.
Staff photo/Jon Gulliver
Central Aroostook’s Joe Stiles looks to drive to the basket against Washburn on Saturday night. The Beavers won the game, 74-64.
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.
These teams play again in Mars Hill on Feb. 7.
Presque Isle 71, Washington Academy 49 — At East Machias Saturday, what was a close game at halftime turned into an easy win for the Wildcats over Washington Academy.
Matt Eager led the way for Presque Isle (9-5) with 26 points. Tyler Brooks added 16 points for the Wildcats.
Central Aroostook 83, Hodgdon 77 — The Panthers needed overtime at home Thursday night to down the Hawks, 83-77.
Hodgdon made a game of it by coming back from an 18-point deficit to play the Panthers even for the final quarter.
Decker scored a game-high 23 points for Central Aroostook. Dan Brewer and York had 21 points apiece.
Josh Hudson topped Hodgdon with 22 points.
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.
Katahdin 62, Ashland 43 — At Stacyville Jan. 24, Katahdin used balanced scoring to defeat Ashland.
The Cougars (9-3) were led by Bill Livezey with 18 points and Braden Cunningham with 14 points.
Ashland (2-11) was led by Tyler Levesque with 15 points and Alex Chasse with nine points.
