George Stevens Academy senior Julianna Allen makes a pass from the top of the key during a game against Sumner on December 21. By John Brooks
Blue Hill—A 59-35 win over Sumner on December 21 gave the Eagles’ varsity girls basketball team a first taste of victory this season. Having it happen before a home crowd made it even sweeter.
“Getting the first win was rewarding for the kids, a testament to how hard they have been working,” said Coach Brandi Ensworth.
The team, with a contingent of players new to the varsity level, has struggled early, losing its first four games. At a tournament-style slate of games played Thursday, December 27, at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, the GSA girls faced Mattanawcook and got a taste of where they’d like to find themselves come late February play-off time, and of the 94-foot court, the regulation size for college ball.
“Any time you get to play at the Cross Insurance Center is a lot of fun and is a great opportunity to play and experience playing on the bigger court,” Ensworth said.
The Eagles are 1-5 and ranked 17th of the 20 Class C North teams. There are 12 games left in the regular season for the team to edge up a few spots in the rankings and secure a playoff spot, with five of those games played over a nine-day period. On Wednesday, January 2, it was Eagles at Calais (5-0) (score not available by press time). Next up are home games against Central (5-1) on Friday, January 4, and Lee (0-5) on Monday, January 7, before the team travels to Narraguagus (6-1) on Wednesday, January 9, and Bucksport (1-4) on Thursday, January 10.
“[There’s] a lot of important games coming up we have high expectations for,” Ensworth said, “and we look forward to seeing how much growth we have obtained through the first part of the season.”