Sports Editor
It is getting down to crunch time for girls basketball teams as the season rapidly comes to a close. The postseason is a near certainty for several local squads, as only the Limestone-MSSM team has been virtually eliminated from playoff consideration.
Staff photo/Joseph Cyr
Stephanie Leighton takes the ball in on Washburn’s Sarah Sjoberg during last Wednesday’s game in Limestone.
The regular season comes to an end on Feb. 5, with preliminary-round playoffs starting Feb. 9-10. The Maine Principals’ Association Heal Points standings as of Tuesday reveal the following scenarios:
In Eastern Class B, Caribou (8-5, 35.8025) is in seventh place and if the playoffs started today, the Vikings would face No. 10 John Bapst in a preliminary playoff.
In Eastern Class D, Fort Fairfield (10-0, 38.3170) is third, while Washburn (8-4, 29.9837) is fifth. If the playoffs began today, No. 3 Fort Fairfield would face No. 6 Ashland in a quarterfinal; while No. 5 Washburn would face No. 4 Bangor Christian in another quarterfinal.
The following is a recap of games played through Monday, Jan. 18.
Caribou 57, Old Town 51 — At Caribou Monday, the Vikings won their third straight game with a victory over Old Town. Caribou led 13-8, 27-20 and 37-35 at the quarter breaks. Jenna Selander led Caribou with 23 points, while Brittany Doak added 11. For Old Town, Ashley Abott had 22 points.
“When we have the performance that Brittany gave us tonight, we are a very different team,” Caribou coach Bill Schofield said. “She comes off the bench with great intensity whether its rebounding or playing defense, if she plays hard, it is contagious and our other girls feed off her and we are as strong as anyone else in the Big East. We have not seen another sixth man have more impact then Brittany.”
Caribou 57, Bucksport 47 — At Bucksport Saturday, Caribou rolled to the 10-point victory over the Golden Bucks. The two teams were tied 9-9 in the first quarter before Caribou took a 21-17 halftime lead that grew to 40-29 after three quarters.
Selander again led Caribou with 24 points, while Alexa Massey added 13 and Dayna Michaud nine. For Bucksport, Sadie Wight had 17.
“This was a close game most of the way, as we ran out early to a 12 point lead and they ran off 14 unanswered points,” coach Schofield said. “After a second timeout we straightened out our defense and went on to hold the lead the rest of the way. Our free throw shooting was much better enabling us to continue to add points with the clock not running, stopping any run which they mounted.”
Washburn 53, Van Buren 21 — At Washburn Friday, Rebecca Campbell pumped in 23 points to lead Washburn over the Crusaders. Jordan Chandler chipped in six points, while Rayah Saucier and Olivia Doody each had five; Angie Hernandez and Meghan Saucier, four each; and Felecia Cochran, Kristi Sperry and Sarah Sjoberg, two each.
Washburn led 17-9, 36-13 and 49-20 at the quarter breaks.
Fort Fairfield 46, Katahdin 36 — At Stacyville Friday, Fort Fairfield managed to preserve its unbeaten record, but not without a scare. The Tigers trailed 8-6 in the first quarter and were down 20-13 at halftime before mounting a second-half surge to tie the game at 30-30 after three stanzas. The Tigers outscored Katahdin 16-6 in the final eight minutes for the win.
Amanda Hotham tallied 18 points to lead the Tigers past Katahdin to stay undefeated on the season. Danielle Tracy and Brooke Beaulieu each chipped in eight points, while Courtney Churchill had six; Sydney Churchill, four; and Kelsie Wilson, two.
Katahdin’s Olivia McNally led all players with 20 points.
Caribou 53, Hermon 42 — At Hermon Thursday, the Vikings had solid all-around play, which keyed the victory. Caribou trailed 12-7, in the first quarter before taking a 22-17 halftime lead. The Vikings also led 38-33 after three quarters.
Selander led all scores with 16 points, including a 6-of-13 effort from the foul line. Massey added 13 points, while Doak had 12. For Hermon, Dani Ross had 15 points.
“The difference in the game was our defense,” Schofield said. “We did a good job of helping on Marissa Kelley and Ashley Thayer who are their best offense players. We received good play from our bench with double figures from Brittany and Alexa, as well as the spark that Brittany brings when she steps on the floor on offense and defense.”
Washburn 48, Limestone-MSSM 27 — At Limestone Jan. 13, the visiting Beavers jumped to a 16-1 first-quarter lead and never looked back. Campbell sparked Washburn with 24 points, while Caitlin Good and Victoria St. Pierre each had eight for Limestone-MSSM.
Washburn led 16-1, 25-8 and 37-15 at the quarter breaks.
Fort Kent 41, Caribou 37 — At Fort Kent Tuesday, Jan. 12, Jenna Selander’s 14-point effort was not enough to lift the Vikings to victory. Caribou stayed within striking distance throughout the contest as Fort Kent led 10-6, 20-18 and 32-31 at the quarter breaks.
Dayna Michaud added 11 for Caribou, while Alexa Massey and Danielle Soucy each had four; and Jamie Martin and Britany Doak each had two.
Taylor Boucher netted 15 points to pace the Warriors, while Samantha Carapellucci added 10.
