BANGOR- The defending class C state champions, are now at the top of the class B girls basketball world. The Houlton Shiretowners girls basketball team went 11-11 from the free throw line, including 6-6 in the final two minutes to defeat the Gray-New Gloucester Patriots 48-35 in the class B state title game on Friday night at the Cross Insurance Center.
“We were looking at the book before the game, we were like holy cow, they (Gray-New Gloucester) have like 210 more people (550-340) then us, this is crazy,”Houlton sophomore Kolleen Bouchard said. “Proven points, you don’t need a lot of kids, you just need a lot of talent.”
Gray took their only lead of the first quarter when Isabelle Detroy made a shot to beat the buzzer and give the Patriots an 8-6 lead. Houlton went on a 9-0 run that extended into early in the second quarter. The Shiretowners lead didn’t go below five the rest of the way.
Bouchard said, “we didn’t come out hot at all at first, it was tough at first, then we got our rhythm going.”
The Patriots cut the deficit to 38-33 in the fourth quarter. After a timeout, and a Rylee Warman steal, the Shiretowners went on a 10-2 run to close out the game. Warman, Bouchard, and Natalie Hill each made two free throws in the final two minutes.
“We talked about staying composed, we have been in this situation before,”Houlton coach Shawn Graham said. “We talked about getting to where we needed to be on our press break, get it into the middle and get ready to attack.”
Bouchard led the Shirtowners with 21 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, and two assists. The Sophomore won the BDN class B tournament MVP for her performance in the regional final.
“She (Bouchard) is a tremendous player, complete player” Graham said. “Kolleen can go with her right hand, left hand, sees the floor, and defends. Just a really bright future ahead of her.”
The Shiretowners overcame adversity throughout the season, including losing starting forward Katie Condon early in the season. Houlton lost a game to MDI after the injury, they followed that up with a 17 game winning streak, including winning the most important one Friday night.
“When we lost Katie (Condon), our whole game plan changed. Nobody was in the right spot,” Bouchard said. “That was a tough game (MDI). We came back stronger than ever, we wanted to get it so much more for her.”
Graham added, “it is unbelievable for the school and the community, the smallest school in class B, a number of injuries and sicknesses all season long. We were about six deep. I can’t say enough about this group. They are just winners. They know how to get it done when the game is on the line.”
When the Shiretowners lost Condon for the season, someone needed to step up in a different role. That player was sophomore Aspen Flewelling.
Flewelling said, “I knew I needed to step up, and play both inside and outside.”
Natalie Hill recorded 10 points, four assists, and four rebounds. Warman added nine points, four steals, and four rebounds for the Shiretowners. Flewelling scored eight points, including two three-pointers.Houlton finishes the season with a 21-1 record.
Skye Conley led the Patriots with 13 points and six rebounds, Alanna Camerl added six points and six rebounds. Gray -New Gloucester finishes the season with a 17-5 record.
