BANGOR, Maine- The Stearns Minutemen opened up a big early lead Tuesday afternoon, and then cruised to a 71-45 quarterfinal win over Central Aroostook in a Maine Principals’ Association Class C girls basketball game at the Cross Insurance Center.
Stearns (16-4), the #9 seed, opened up a 16-3 first quarter lead behind eight points from freshman Alisyn Alley. The Minutemen led 18-6 after one quarter. Stearns opened the lead to 32-11 in the second quarter, before three pointers from Ashlee Harris and Sydney Garrison cut the Panthers deficit to 34-20 at the half.
The Minutemen regained momentum starting the third quarter on a 9-2 run, and never looked back in ending the season for top ranked Central Aroostook (15-4). Stearns later opened up the margin to 32 points in the fourth quarter, advancing to a Friday semifinal against PVHS at 8:35 pm.
Stearns guard Alisyn Alley ended up as the high scorer for the game with 24 points. She also added five rebounds and four assists. Annalys Robinson added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Katherine Alley had 15 points. Central Aroostook was led by Harris and Garrison who both had nine points. Harris added five rebounds. Breann Bradbury also chipped in eight points and eight rebounds.
Stearns guard Katherine Alley (#22) looks to make a pass during action on Tuesday, February 19, 2019 at the Cross Insurance Center during a Class C girls quarterfinal game. Photo courtesy of Lisa Prescott (click to enlarge)
STNS 18 16 21 16- 71
CTRL 6 14 9 16- 45
Rebounds- Stearns 33 C. Aroostook 22
Free throws- Stearns 15-21 C. Aroostook 12-18
Turnovers- Stearns 10 C. Aroostook 17
