By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
BANGOR — Is the Houlton boys basketball team peaking at just the right moment?
All signs seem to point in that direction after No. 1 Houlton ran roughshod over No. 8 Bucksport Feb. 19, picking up a 72-53 victory in the Eastern Class C quarterfinals. With the victory, Houlton advanced to the semifinals Friday, where the Shires faced No. 5 Calais. (See accompanying story).
In the quarterfinal contest, Houlton (18-1 overall) scored early and often jumping to a 24-6 lead over Bucksport (9-11) in the first quarter and never looked back.
“We shot the ball well and we finished strong,” Houlton coach Rob Moran said. “Defensively, in the first half, we were really good.”
Houlton’s Kyle Bouchard almost single-handedly outscored Bucksport as he poured in a whopping 41 points to lead the Shires offensively. His 41 points were not only a season-high, but also a career-best for the talented sophomore.
Bouchard drilled 17 of 27 shots (63 percent) from the field and connected on three of five 3-pointers (60 percent). He also grabbed 15 rebounds, blocked three shots, had three assists and two steals, while committing just four turnovers and one foul on the night.
Coming into the game, Bouchard’s status was in question after he injured his wrist in the Shires regular season finale at Caribou. After he connected on his first five baskets, including a pair of 3-pointers, any concerns coach Moran or Shire fans had quickly dissipated.
“It was the first time Kyle has played in a while, so I am happy about that,” Moran said. “He is one of the best players in the state and makes a huge difference when he is out on the floor. He defends the other team’s best player and we use him wherever we can to get the most use out of him. He’s a super player.”
Kole Buzzeo chipped in 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and a steal for the Shires.
For Bucksport, Josh Gray led the way with 16 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The Shires sank 30 of 57 shots from the floor (53 percent), while Bucksport managed just 21 of 54 field goals (39 percent). Houlton also converted from the foul line, making seven of 12 free throws (58 percent), compared to five of eight (63 percent) for the Golden Bucks.
“I thought they (Bucksport) did a nice job finishing and luckily we built enough room to win the game,” Moran said.
HOULTON (72)
Putnam, Cone, Buzzeo 5 0-0 11, Crockett 2 0-0 4, Guiod 2 3-5 7, Bouchard 17 4-7 41, Swallow, Howe, 1 0-0 3, Condon, Holmes 1 0-0 2, Drew 2 0-0 4, Donovan, Crane. Totals: 30 7-12 72. 3-pointers — Bouchard 3, Howe, Buzzeo.
BUCKSPORT (53)
Gray 7 1-2 16, Grindle 1 0-0 2, Burgess 3 0-0 9, Fucillo, Stearns 4 0-0 9, MacLeod, Bowden 2 0-1 4, Dyer, Stevens 1 2-2 5, DeRedin 1 1-1 3, Osgood 2 1-2 5. Totals: 21 5-8 53. 3-pointers — Burgess 3, Gray, Stearns, Stevens.
Shires 24 21 11 16 — 72
Bucks 6 12 17 18 — 53
