Senior Taylor Schildroth drives past Houlton. Photo by Monique Labbe
BANGOR – The two-time defending Class C State Champion George Stevens Academy Eagles took a 55-43 victory over the Shiretowners of Houlton in a Class C North quarterfinal showdown on February 20 at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Taylor Shildroth got the action going for the Eagles with back-to-back three-pointers en route to an 8-0 run for GSA in the first quarter. Houlton found its groove and at the end of the first GSA had a five-point, 17-12 lead. GSA came out hot in the second with eight straight points from Shildroth and extended its lead to nine entering the halftime break.
“They’re a good team, we knew it wasn’t your typical 1 vs. 9 matchup,” said head coach Dwayne Carter.
Senior Max Mattson blocks a Houlton shot. Photo by Monique Labbe
Houlton scored the first four points of the second half before senior Max Mattson silenced the Shires’ run with a layup for GSA. Mattson rallied the GSA fans with a rebound dunk off a missed layup to put the Eagles up 42-28 with 3:30 left in the third quarter.
GSA held on to its lead entering the fourth quarter, but a Houlton run in the early minutes cut the lead to six. The Eagles rallied back, in large part due to aggressive post play, to take a 14-point lead with just under a minute to play before eventually earning its third-straight appearance in the semifinals.
Houlton rejoined Class C this year after playing in Class B the last two seasons. The last time Houlton played in Class C they were the state champions.
Carter said his team had “a few more turnovers” than he would have liked, but it was a combination of offense and defense that won the game.
Junior Isaac Wardwell defends against Houlton. Photo by Monique Labbe
“Our defense at times was really good, and [Mattson] really changed the game up a little bit.”
The team will take on the Fort Kent Warriors at 8:35 p.m. Friday, February 23 for a chance to play for the Class C North title.
Shildroth finished the game with 23 points, while Mattson tallied nine points to go along with 10 rebounds and six blocks.
Senior Stefan Simmons shoots. Photo by Monique Labbe
The Eagles work against the Houlton defense. Photo by Anne Berleant
Coach Dwayne Carter, left, and Assistant Matt Mattson watch for the sidelines. Photo by Anne Berleant