BANGOR– The Dexter Tigers girls basketball program has a tradition of great defensive teams. The 2017/2018 Lady Tigers turned in their best defensive performance in a 36-15 victory over Calais in a Maine Principals’ Association class C semifinal game on Friday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center.
Calais was one of the highest scoring teams in class C during the season. They averaged 64.8 points per game. Dexter was able to slow down a team that didn’t score under 48 points in any game during the season.
“(We were) Just trying to make it difficult. They (Calais) have four kids that can really handle it. They can shoot it and drive it,”Dexter coach Jody Grant said. “Just getting down in our defensive stance and make it hard. They (Calais) are as good offensively as any team we have played.”
Dexter went on a 6-0 run to take a 6-1 lead. They went on another 7-0 run later in the half to take a 13-3 lead. Avery Herrick scored 10 of her 14 points in the first half as the Tigers held an 18-7 halftime lead. Peyton Grant dished out three assists.
“Cheyenne (Beem) and I worked on posting up the last two days,”Herrick said. “Peyton (Grant) got me the ball, I put it up there and they went in.”
Peyton Grant added, “we knew with them (Calais)being little we could post Avery up and get the ball inside to her.”
Grant scored 10 of her game high 16 points in the second half, including eight in the fourth quarter. The Tigers went 7-8 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter. The freshman duo of Herrick and Grant combined for 30 points.
“They (Grant and Herrick) compliment each other very well,”coach Grant said. “They really have contrasting styles and play well off of each other.”
Olivia Huckins and Lauren Cook scored five points each to lead the Blue Devils. Calais finishes the season with a 15-6 record.
Dexter (17-3) will play undefeated and top seed Houlton in the regional final on Saturday night at 7 PM.
“They (Houlton) have a lot of good players. We need to be ready.”
Herrick pulled down 10 rebounds, while Becca Batron pulled down seven rebounds and put in four points. Kaitlyn Webber added two points. Cheyenne Beem recorded four rebounds and two assists. Dexter out-rebounded Calais 26-14.
