The Houlton Shiretowners girls basketball team has won a state championship each of the last two seasons. The Shiretowners will play with a different style in their quest for a second straight class B title, and third in a row overall. Houlton won the 2015 class C state title.
Kolleen Bouchard, Aspen Flewelling, and Rylee Warman did the bulk of the scoring last season. All three return for the 2016/2017 campaign.
Bouchard a 6’0 junior was named to the All Maine first team in her sophomore season. She averaged 20.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. Flewelling is a 5’11 guard/forward who averaged 11.5 points, and 4.6 rebounds, while being the team’s best free throw shooter at 85%. Warman averaged 9.0 points, 2 steals, and 2.3 assists per game.while shooting 77% from the free throw line.
Junior Kristen Graham will slide into the starting lineup, after being the first player off the bench last season. The Shiretowners will have a familiar face returning, who could end up in the starting lineup. 6’1 senior center Makayla Watson was part of the 2014/2015 class C state championship team. Watson went to Windham high school last year.
“I like this team a lot. With the addition of Watson it give us some really good height to match up with some of the bigger teams such as Foxcroft and Hermon,”Houlton coach Shawn Graham said. “We can now go with three bigs if needed or it gives me plenty of options off my bench if I need to go a little smaller and quicker pending our opponent.”
With the loss of two starting guards from last year’s team, the Shiretowners will have a much different look. Graham expects to have a very deep bench with A couple very talented freshmen in Abby Worthley and Teagan Ewings who came over from Greater Houlton Christian. Junior Kristen Brewer, sophomore Tessa Soloman, and senior Emma Peterson will all likely see action.
“With the losses of Natalie Hill and Chelsea Gentle we lose lots of experience and quickness,”Graham said. “Our style of play will change drastically. I also think we are deeper off the bench, possibly as many as 9-10 girls.”
Schedule
- 12/10- VS Orono- 1:30 PM
- 12/13- @ Presque Isle- 7 PM
- 12/17- VS Central- 4:30 PM
- 12/20- @ Caribou- 7 PM
- 12/22- @ Mattanawcook- 7 PM
- 12/29- @ Foxcroft- 7 PM- Audio
- 1/7- @ Washington Academy- 3 PM
- 1/9- VS John Bapst- 7 PM
- 1/12- VS Calais- 7 PM
- 1/14- @ Ellsworth- 3 PM
- 1/18- VS Presque Isle- 7 PM
- 1/21- VS Hermon- 4:30 PM
- 1/23- VS Mattanawcook- 7 PM
- 1/27- @ Old Town- 7 PM
- 2/1- VS Caribou- 7 PM
- 2/4- VS MDI- 4:30 PM
- 2/6- @ Calais- 6:30 PM
- 2/8- @ Hermon- 7 PM
