By Kevin Sjoberg
Sports Reporter
CARIBOU, Maine — The regular season ends for local high school basketball teams Feb. 7 and the Caribou boys find themselves in a position of strength heading into their final five contests.
The Vikings were in fifth place with their 10-3 record heading into yesterday’s make-up contest, played at home against Hermon. They play at Fort Kent Thursday and again will take on the Hawks, in Hermon, on Saturday before finishing up with games next week at Houlton (Feb. 4) and at home against Presque Isle (Feb. 7). Plenty of points are on the line as Hermon is currently ranked No. 6 in Eastern Maine Class B with their 10-4 record. Houlton is undefeated and atop the Class C rankings, while Presque Isle is in 10th in ‘B’ at 7-7.
Caribou was able to salvage a split over the weekend at home as they fell to Mount Desert Island Friday, 59-55, but bounced back by looking impressive on both ends of the floor in a 71-48 win over Ellsworth the following afternoon.
In the win, the Vikes had a season-high in points as sophomore guard Donovan Savage poured in 17 points, which was the most of his young career.
Caribou had a big second quarter, outscoring the guests by a 25-12 margin after being up 16-12 after one period. The lead grew to 32 points after three quarters. Cody Herbert netted 16 points, while Derek Richardson posted 10 and Kameron Manter and Dayne Savage eight each for the winners.
Jonathan Phelps had a big fourth quarter with 11 points, including a 7-of-8 effort from the foul line, to lift MDI to a 59-55 victory the previous evening. Caribou struggled in shooting throughout the game, but Herbert ended up leading the offense with 14 points and Dayne Savage finished with 13.
The Caribou girls saw their losing streak extend to five games following losses to MDI Friday (88-63) and Ellsworth Saturday (56-41).
Offense wasn’t an issue in Friday’s game as the Vikings posted their highest point total of the season, but the team had no answer for MDI’s size and accurate perimeter shooting as five different players on the visitors hit at least one three-pointer in the contest. Sarah Phelps had 21 points to lead the winners.
Three players reached double figures in scoring for coach Ryan Deprey’s Caribou team, led by freshman Rachel Soucy’s 14 points. Maddie Doucette had 12, all on three-pointers, while Bria Judd added 10. Shyanne Barnes put in eight more and Sam Lizotte had seven for the Vikes.
On Saturday, Caribou held a one-point lead at the end of the first quarter and trailed by just two at halftime, but then Ellsworth took control en route to the win. Morgan Card had a game-high 18 points for the Eagles.
Judd notched 15 and Jenna Boucher 14 for Caribou, which has lost 10 of its last 12. The Vikes are in 15th place in the division at 4-10 with just four to play. The team played Hermon Tuesday and the rematch is Saturday in Hermon. Games against both Houlton (Monday) and Presque Isle (Feb. 6) will wrap up the regular season.
The Limestone-MSSM Eagle girls saw their undefeated season come to an end at Van Buren Thursday. Playing without two starters in Chelsey Pelkey and Jordyn Hopkins, both out with concussions, the Eagles fell by a 58-35 score.
Parise Rossignol helped carry the Crusaders to the win with 28 points and 11 rebounds and they overtook the Eagles for the No. 1 position in EM Class D.
Kassee Albert scored 10 points and Melissa Cantafio nine for Limestone-MSSM, which is now 14-1 with three games to play.
The boys’ team at Limestone was beaten handily at Van Buren that same evening, 63-31. Jake Rioux paced the Crusaders with 33 points, while Sam Kupiec had nine to lead the Eagles.
