GUILFORD– Connor Robertson recorded 24 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists to lead the Orono Red Riots boys basketball team to a 78-53 victory over Piscataquis Community High School (PCHS) Pirates on Saturday night.
Robertson is a sophomore starter on a team that has nine seniors on the roster, including four in the starting lineup.
“The (Connor) Robertson kid is tough inside. He has come on as of late. He is still a sophomore, he just turned 16 last week. He is still young, still understanding his body and realizing what he is capable of doing,” Orono coach Jason Coleman said. “Between him (Robertson), (Jonny) Spencer and (Evan) Kenefic coming back next year. We are obviously senior heavy, but we won’t fall off the map next year.”
The Red Riots jumped out to a 17-9 lead after the first quarter. Robertson (6), Nate Desisto (5), and Keenan Collett (4) combined for 15 points in the first eight minutes.
Robertson scored 10 of the Red Riots 24 second quarter points as they built the lead to 41-20 at halftime. Orono out rebounded PCHS 37-16, including 21-5 in the first half.
Orono stepped it up another notch offensively in the third quarter. Desisto (9) and Robertson (8) combined for 17 points as the Red Riots outscored the Pirates 26-19.
Orono (11-3) has now won five straight games. They are currently fourth in the Maine Principals’ Association class B North heal point standings.
“I will never complain about being 11-3. I think we are top four right now with four games to go,”Coleman said, “Our kids know you can’t win a state title in December. We want to peak in February.”
Orono has a date at top seed in class B MDI on Tuesday night. The Trojans lost for the first time this season on Friday night to Presque Isle.
“MDI is very good. We had two very tough games with them last year,”Coleman said. “They lost a tough one on Friday night, but they were missing a kid. I am assuming he is going to be back. We are going to plan like he is going to be back.”
Bryce Gilbert led the Pirates with 21 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Dillion Drew scored 12 points (all in the second half) and grabbed four rebounds. Damyan True scored 11 points (nine in the first half). Jarrod White put in six points, while Eben Cooley added three points.
PCHS (6-7) will host Stearns on Monday night. The Pirates will host Schenck on Wednesday night. That game against the Wolverines can be heard live on Eastern Maine Sports starting at 6:50 PM.
Desisto recorded 19 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Collett added 10 points, five rebounds, and two steals. Jackson Coutts scored seven points, Collin Moran put in six point and grabbed five rebounds, Jonathan Steelman added five points, Jonny Spencer made a second quarter three pointer, while Jake Koffman and Evan Kenefic scored two points each.
Orono shot 12-14 from the free throw line, while PCHS shot 8-15.
