BANGOR, Me- Kolleen Bouchard scored a game high 21 points and had 11 rebounds, and also came up with a key steal late in the game, as the Houlton Shiretowners hung on for an exciting 41-38 win over the Central Red Devils in a Class C girls semifinal Friday afternoon at the Cross Insurance Center.
Central had an early lead on a Sydney Allen three pointer at 5-2, but Houlton ended the first quarter on a 13-4 run to take a 15-9 lead, as Bouchard put in eight in the opening quarter. Houlton continued to hold a five to seven point lead in the second, and led 22-17 at the half.
Central outscored Houlton 6-3 in the third quarter, and went into the fourth quarter down just 25-23. Allen had a big final quarter for the Red Devils, scoring 10 in the final eight minutes, and giving Central their first lead since 5-4 when she hit a three pointer to make it 33-31. Aspen Flewelling hit a three pointer with 1:40 left to regain the lead for the Shiretowners 36-35. Allen hit a pair of free throws with 39.8 seconds left to give the Devils back a one point lead 37-36. Bouchard then converted an unconventional three point play with 16.6 seconds left as the lead went back to Houlton 39-37, and that lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Bouchard made a steal on Allen on the ensuing inbounds play with 11 seconds left, and after a foul that was the fifth on Allen, Bouchard made both free throws with 8.7 seconds to make it 41-37. Emily Smith was fouled with 2.1 seconds left and made the first free throw to make it 41-38. Smith made three of her final four foul shots in the game after starting 1-7 from the line. Smith then missed the second free throw intentionally, and Houlton lost control of the rebound that went out of bounds giving Central one more chance with 1.1 seconds left. Emilee Cohen had a wide open look at a three pointer to tie it, but the shot was long as the buzzer sounded, sending Houlton back to another regional title game.
Allen led Central (18-3) with 17 points. Cohen and Smith both had eight points a piece.
Along with Bouchard, Abbie Worthley had eight points and Flewelling chipped in six for the 20-0 Houlton Shiretowners.
Houlton is seeking their fourth straight regional title when they face Dexter at 7:05 p.m. Saturday night. The Shires won Class C in 2015, and then won the last two regionals while in Class B.
CEN 9 8 6 15- 38
HOU 15 7 3 16- 41
Three point goals: Central- S. Allen 3, A. Allen Houlton- Flewelling 2, Worthley
Free throws: Central- 8-11 Houlton 10-18
Turnovers: Central 8 Houlton 16
