BANGOR – The No. 2 Deer Isle-Stonington High School Mariner girls basketball team is on to the semifinals, after beating Ashland 57-28 in a Class D North quarterfinal matchup on February 18 at the Cross Insurance Center.
After taking a 9-4 lead to open the game, the Mariners allowed six unanswered points by the Hornets to let go of the lead, before senior captain Lily Gray responded with a jump shot to take the lead back, 11-10. Ashland answered with a three-pointer to close the quarter, as Deer Isle-Stonington found themselves down 10-13 after the first eight minutes.
Deer Isle-Stonington High School’s Brienna Limeburner drives hard against an Ashland defender during a Class D North quarterfinal matchup on February 18. Photo by Monique Labbe
The Mariner defense dug in during the second quarter, allowing just two total points, while DISHS poured in 13 points to take the 24-15 lead going into the half.
The offense continued for DISHS in the second half, as Ashland could not find an answer to forward Taylor Hardy, who dumped in 12 of the Mariner’s 20 third quarter points from inside the key. Deer Isle-Stonington rolled from there, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter en route to the victory.
Gray led the team in scoring with 15 points, while Hardy’s 12 points was second in team scoring. Kaylee Morey contributed nine.
Deer Isle-Stonington’s Lily Gray keeps her eye on the basket during a Class D North quarterfinal contest on February 18 at the Cross Insurance Center. Photo by Monique Labbe
The team, now, 17-0 on the season, will face third-seeded Woodland in a Class D North semifinal. That game will be a semifinal rematch from last season, where the Mariners will look to avenge a 45-54 loss during the tournament last year. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Thursday, February 21 at the Cross Insurance Center.
Deer Isle-Stonington’s Kaylee Morey goes hard to the bucket during a Class D North quarterfinal game against Ashland on February 18 at the Cross Insurance Center. Photo by Monique Labbe
The Deer Isle-Stonington fans are on their feet at the Cross Insurance Center for the Mariner girls basketball team’s Class D North quarterfinal game against Ashland on February 18. Photo by Monique Labbe