GUILFORD- An inter-class matchup highlighted a light Monday in High School Basketball as the Class B Orono Red Riots squared off against the Class C Piscataquis Community High School Pirates, in what turned out to be an adrenalin rushing thriller and an instant classic.
Heading into the second overtim, the game was tied at 41 after no points were scored in the first OT. Someone needed to do something to spark their team and Bailey Lemieux’s three pointer at the start of the 2nd overtime was the spark that PCHS needed as they were able to put 13 points on the board to push past Orono 54-50.
Lemieux was not the only star for PCHS as junior Erin Speed and Sophomore Sara Almirante came up clutch at the free throw line as they went a combined 6 for 7 in the second overtime.Almirante had a team high 21 points while Speed racked up 15 for the Pirates. Sophomore Alivia Hunt and Junior Lexi Harris came up big under the basket as they combined for 16 rebounds. Defensively the Pirates had 12 steals and forced Orono into 16 turnovers.
Orono was led by Sophomore Lauren Melanson who put up 21 points while Seniors Hannah Steelman and Kassidy Dill each had nine. Steelman and Emily Witham each had eight rebounds for the Red Riots.
PCHS (7-2) will play at Schenck on Thursday. Orono (2-6) will host Ellsworth on Thursday.
