Taylor Schildroth drives down court. Photo by Anne Berleant
BLUE HILL—A highly anticipated matchup between the undefeated George Stevens Academy boys varsity basketball team and Class B Ellsworth ended in a 52-47 win for the Eagles. They are now 9-0, and holding fast to the top Heal Point ranking.
Down 9-6 at the end of the first quarter, the Eagles defense held Ellsworth to only four points in the second, while shooting for 19, heading into the third quarter with a 25-13 lead. Ellsworth —who were 6-1 heading into the game—turned up its defense and battled hard in the third, but could only keep GSA from extending its lead, with an 12-point gap in place to open the fourth at 36-24. Both teams were quick to foul into bonus time, slowing the action.
Max Mattson goes for a jump shot. Photo by Anne Berleant
The court heated up with 2:18 on the clock and GSA leading 42-32 when Eagle point guard Taylor Schildroth was benched after being levied a technical foul for protesting a travel call, then hit with a second for disagreeing with the first. Ellsworth scored all four foul shots closing the gap to six points, to start a seven-point run that brought them within four points in the last 45 seconds of play—but the Eagles held on for the win.
Beckett Slayton crowds the court. Photo by Anne Berleant
Schildroth led GSA with 16 points with 8 coming in the pivotal second quarter, Jarrod Chase scored 11, while Nick Szwez earned a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The Eagles host Deer Isle-Stonington Mariners at home on Friday, January 8, 7 p.m.
The Eagles race on court. Photo by Anne Berleant