BANGOR– Megan Peach recorded 19 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, three steals, and two assists in leading the Dexter Tigers to a 35-32 win over George Stevens in the Maine Principals’ Association class C girls Northern Maine championship game.
George Stevens scored the first basket of the game. That was the last lead for the Eagles. The Tigers went on a 6-0 run and held a 7-4 lead after the first quarter.
Dexter went on a 5-0 run to take a 11-4 lead in the second quarter. Peach scored eight points in the second quarter as the Tigers expanded the lead to 15-10 going to the half. Peach made two 3-pointers, one free throw, and one three pointer during the quarter.
“I noticed they weren’t really guarding me when I went out there (past the 3 point line),” Peach said. “They did a good job closing out. I wanted them to stretch out. They did a really job guarding the high post.”
Dexter held a 24-15 lead after the third quarter. The Eagles got the deficit down to three, but could not convert on their last possession.
Peach averaged 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks during the Tigers tourney run. Peach wanted another week of practice. She and her teammates will get that opportunity as they will prepare for their state championship clash with Monmouth. The game will be on Saturday, March 4th at 7:05 PM at the Cross Insurance Center.
“I think the past years I have been like you don’t know what you have until it is gone. I thought I knew what I was losing,”Peach said. “I am scared because this is it and every time we step out here it could be the last time. We get another week of practice. I was on a mission because I wanted that for me and all of my teammates.”
Dexter coach Jody Grant added, “Absolutely pleased with Megan. She has put a lot of time into basketball. She loves basketball. She is a big time fan of basketball. I couldn’t be happier for her. She wanted to play in this building and be a kid that carries us through some difficult stretches.”
The Tigers defense has been their trademark. It was no different in he regional final. They forced 14 Eagles turnovers. Abi Webber, Kaitlyn Webber, and Ashley Reynolds led the Dexter defensive pursuit.
“It is not me that plays good defense, it is our guards. They are phenomenal, they smother people. We watched them play Calais and Guilford, there guards shot really well,”Peach said. “They (George Stevens) didn’t get to do that tonight because Abi (Webber), Kaitlyn (Webber), and Ashley (Reynolds) smothered them.”
Abi Webber put in eight points for the Tigers, Kaitlyn Webber and Kayli Cunningham chipped in with four points each. This is first regional title for the Tigers since 2007.
Morgan Dauk led the Eagles with 21 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Julianna Allen added seven points, two assists, and two rebounds. Mazie Smallidge chipped in with four points, eight rebounds, and three assists.
Thank you to the following businesses for sponsoring Eastern Maine Sports coverage of Tourney 2017.
