Presque Isle girls bring home the gold

    STATE CHAMPS — The Presque Isle Lady Wildcats captured the State Class B title on Friday night. Members of the championship team are, from left, front row: manager Stacia Caron, Claire Cheney, Chelsea Nickerson, Kayla Richards and manager Mikayla Albert. Back row: Jeff Hudson, Kate McKenna, Laurin Ackerson, Liza Buck, Karlee Bernier, Megan Ireland, Hannah Graham, Krystal Kingsbury, Meredith Stewart, Kayla Giardin, Chandler Guerette, Ralph Michaud and Tim McCue.

‘Cats and Lakers play thriller

    BANGOR — The Presque Isle Wildcats and Lake Region Lakers of Naples hooked up in an instant classic in the State Class B basketball final Friday night in Bangor. The game had everything a fan could want; late lead changes, big buckets, defensive stops and more  .

    RAISING THE TROPHY — Wildcat players proudly display the gold ball to the many fans who made the trip to the Bangor Auditorium. Thier win over Lakes Region was a repeat of 2006.
    In a game filled with big plays, one of the biggest was a steal by Presque Isle’s Chandler Guerrette in the final seconds to preserve a 49-47 win for the Wildcats. Lakers sophomore center Tiana-Jo Carter, who paced the Lakers with 17 points, grabbed an offensive rebound, and had a chance for a put back, but Guerrette ripped the ball out her hands to secure the win and a 22-0 undefeated season.
    “It was a great game,” said Presque Isle coach Jeff Hudson. “I give Lake Region all the credit in the world, but my girls are tough. They showed a lot of heart tonight and they weren’t to be denied. That last play of the game where we got that steal on their big girl — I thought that was fitting the way the game ended.” 

    THE GOLD BALL — Members of the State Class B Champion Presque Isle Wildcats enjoy the fruits of their labor.
    The Wildcats had a 26-19 lead at the half, but coach Hudson said his team wasn’t playing that well, despite the seven-point advantage, and knew Lake Region had a run in them.
    “I thought Lake Region played a lot better in the second half,” he said. “They made a lot of clutch shots and we made a lot of clutch shots. It was just a great game.”
    Hudson also praised the team’s will to win and ability to hold their composure, even after losing the lead. 

    LARGER THAN LIFE — Some fans of Wildcat coach Jeff Hudson show their support in a unique way.
    “We answered,” said Hudson. “We went down by one and Kayla Richards has a three-point play to regain the lead.
    “I think our composure and toughness down the stretch was the difference,” said junior guard Chandler Guerrette.
    She also commented on how different Wildcats stepped up when needed. A perfect example is when junior center Meredith Stewart connected on a short jumper from the lane to give Presque Isle the lead for good at 48-47 with a minute left.
    “That was a clutch basket,” said Guerrette. “I told her that after the game. It was awesome.”
    Early in the game it was Guerrette who hit the big shot. Her three pointer in the first quarter sparked a 10-2 run for Presque Isle to take the lead. Junior Karlee Bernier also drained key three-pointers in the first half to expand the lead. 

    Players take to the floor to psych themselves up before the game.
    Guerrette scored 11 points to pace the Wildcats, and Bernier added 10. Stewart and senior guard Kayla Richards each contributed eight points.
    For a team that hasn’t been really challenged this year — during the regular season the Wildcats routinely won by 30 or more points — winning by two means a little more according to Richards.
    “This is the best feeling in the world,” Richards said. “You couldn’t ask for a better way to end your senior season.”
    “You look at these seniors and they have won at everything they do,” Hudson said and then reiterated, “They weren’t to be denied.”
    The game was a rematch of the 2006 title game, also won by the Wildcats 48-36. 

    The Presque Isle High School band gets the Bangor Auditorium rocking before the game.
    The Wildcats will lose some senior leadership in Chelsea Nickerson and Richards, but have a strong core returning next year, including starters Megan Ireland, Guerrette and Stewart. Coach Hudson said this was one of the deepest teams he has had. Also back with plenty of game and tournament experience will be freshmen Hannah Graham and Krystal Kingsbury and three-point specialist Bernier.
 

    IN THE POST — Junior Meredith Stewart looks for some room to operate down on the blocks against Lake Region Friday night. Stewart hit the shot to put Presque Isle up for good late in the fourth quarter.

    ON THE MOVE — Kayla Richards, who hit some key buckets late in the game, tries to make an entry pass against the Lake Region interior defense.

    NET DUTY — Senior Chelsea Nickerson takes down the net following the Wildcats two-point victory over the Lake Region Lakers.

    The Presque Isle cheerleaders entertain the crowd before the big game. On top for the stunt is Mikayla Powers.

TO THE BASKET —Junior Chandler Guerrette finds a lane to the hoop in the first half against Lake Region.	ON THE MOVE — Junior Megan Ireland looks to make a move baseline against the Lakers.

BOXING OUT — Freshman Krystal Kingsbury does a good job boxing out on a missed free throw.	DEFENSE — Meredith Stewart (54) and Hannah Graham (32) collapse on the driving Lake Region player.