Staff Writer
MARS HILL – And the basketball went to Sarah Long. Central Aroostook’s senior center plowed up a shot under the basket to reach her high school career 1,000th point last Wednesday at the Panther palace.
Kayla Day soared the basketball over Long’s Madawaska defender to set her up for the record-making layup. The buzzer sounded to stop time. The crowd cheered as school administration, the Madawaska team members and Long’s sister Kristen, also a member of the basketball team, congratulated the athlete.
“I’m really excited,” said Long before the big game. “I’ve worked so hard for this for so long and everyone on the team has helped me to come this far by playing good defense and posting up on offense.”
From kindergarten, Long has played basketball with many members of the Panther squad including Amber Bradley, Robyn Graham and Day. The girls challenged each other in pick-up games during summers and in local recreation leagues to reach this season as one of the most competitive Class D girls’ teams in the Big East. Long also attributed her abilities to the coaching direction of Rod Codrey. “He has taught me a lot of the basics of basketball,” said Long.
Madawaska ramped in two baskets within the first minute of play, as the girls attempted to work out the jitters of the big moment. Day put up the first Central Aroostook basket followed shortly by a layup by Long, drawing a foul and roar from the bystanders.
Long hit the first free throw, and attacked for the rebound of her missed shot. The emphasis for the senior remained on the team as she passed the ball to an open teammate instead of taking the shot that would make her the seventh female Panther basketball player to reach the coveted record. The fans, including Long’s grandparents from Bangor, didn’t have to wait much longer as Long made an easy basket over the Madawaska opponent with 4:57 on the clock.
“It’s an overall relief,” confessed Long. “I didn’t think I was actually going to get here. I needed 300 points at the beginning of the season and I knew teams were going to guard me a lot.”
As a freshman, Long had 46 points playing swinger for both varsity and junior varsity teams. From her sophomore year she featured in the starting lineup, making 299 as a sophomore and 339 points as a junior. This season she has averaged around 20 points a game, boxing out her opponents inside the paint.
“It’s an early birthday present and late Christmas present,” said Long about her reaction to the milestone. “I can’t even explain it.”
With the induction into the 1,000-point club over, the Panthers returned to the game to repeat their victory over Madawaska, 66-24.
The Panthers pressured beyond the halfcourt to force turnovers and steal the ball from the Owls for the layup. Alex Dame shot for 19 points and wrangled 10 rebounds. Bradley hit 3 points and ransacked the Owls for 11 steals. Long finished with 11 points.
“I’m really proud of the team,” explained speaking captain Long. “We’ve really come a long way.”
As a senior, Long hopes the team will continue on to Bangor and bring a championship banner back to CAHS.
Panthers swat away Wisdom
The Central Aroostook basketball squads claimed double-wins over Wisdom at St. Agatha last Thursday.
In the girls’ game the Panthers had a run away dominance to win 70-19. Long and Bradley each put in 19 points for CAHS.
Manny Martinez and Cameron York plowed over their owl opponents to captain the Panther squad to a 63-36 win. Martinez and York both sailed in two-three pointers toward identical 12 point totals.
With a number-one ranking in Eastern Maine Heal Point Standings, Central Aroostook boys’ varsity basketball squad went onto the court to maintain their perfect record in a rematch against Fort Fairfield on Tuesday, Jan. 8.
The Panthers pulled rank in the second quarter to take a 22 point lead toward the eventual 59-45 final score.
Manny Martinez drove in 26 points, and Cameron York totaled up 20 points for Central Aroostook.
Doug Sharpe’s two three-pointers went toward the team-high of 18 points.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
CONGRATULATIONS! Long gets a hug from head coach Rodney Codrey.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
SARAH LONG puts up a basket despite the best efforts of her Owl defenders in last Wednesday’s home game at Mars Hill. Long affirmed her place in the history of Central Aroostook basketball by making her 1,000th career point.
