Sophomore Brienna Limeburner controls the ball while freshman Rylee Eaton screens during the Mariners’ semifinal match up against Woodland at the Cross Insurance Center February 22. Photo by Anne Berleant
BANGOR—A 16-point final quarter was not enough to push the Deer Isle-Stonington Mariner girls basketball team to victory against the Woodland Dragons in their semifinal game February 22 at the Cross Insurance Center.
The third-ranked Mariners, unbeaten until today, fell to the #2 Dragons in a game where turnovers were a matter of course while high percentage shot-making was not.
Senior Orly Vaughn looks to block at the net in a semifinal game against Woodland February 22 t the Cross Insurance Center.
But the Mariners never stopped fighting.
Seven points behind at 16-9 as the first quarter ended, with Woodland holding them to four points in the second for a 29-13 lead, the Mariners came out strong in the third quarter, scoring four quick points while blocking Woodland at the net.
Woodland answered in kind and the Mariners headed into the final quarter trailing 29-40. An eight-point run with two minutes left on the clock brought them within nine points but time had run out.
Junior captain Lily Gray scored 19 points, including five three-pointers, with sophomore Brienna Limeburner adding eight and sophomore Katie Hutchinson six.
The Mariners finish the season 17-1, with a young team, losing only one player, Orly Vaughn, this year.
Sophomore Brienna Limeburner controls the ball down court. Photo by Anne Berleant
Coach Randy Shepard high-fives junior Lily Gray as the Mariners head into a time out. Photo by Anne Berleant
Brienna Limeburner defends at the net. Photo by Anne Berleant
The Mariners defend against Woodland. Photo by Anne Berleant
The Mariners look to rebound. Photo by Anne Berleant
The team watches from the sidelines as the final seconds play out. Photo by Anne Berleant