BANGOR, Maine- The Deer Isle-Stonington Mariners outscored the Woodland Dragons 19-9 in the fourth quarter Thursday night, to rally for a 51-44 win in a Maine Principals’ Association Class D girls semifinal game at the Cross Insurance Center.
The Mariners had to contend with a very strong offensive and rebounding game from Dragons sophomore Emily Curtis. The two teams exchanged leads seven times in the opening quarter, with Woodland taking a 17-14 lead after the opening eight minutes. Woodland led 23-17 midway through the second quarter, before Deer Isle-Stonington scored nine of the final 10 points of the half including a layup from Peyton Rice just before the buzzer to take a 26-24 lead at the break.
Woodland (14-6) took back the lead when Curtis scored on a three point play on the first possession of the third quarter. The Dragons held the lead after three as well at 35-32. The Mariners stormed back in the fourth quarter, tying it 35-35 on a three pointer by Kaylee Morey. Curtis got a rebound down low and scored to push the Dragons lead back to 41-37. Two fast break layups by Lilly Gray and Katie Hutchinson tied it 41-41, before a three point play by Brienna Limeburner pushed Deer Isle-Stonington back on top 44-41 with two minutes to play. Woodland never got closer than that three point deficit the rest of the way, as Limeburner put it away hitting 5-8 from the foul line in the closing two minutes. The seven point difference was the biggest lead all night for the now 18-0 Mariners.
Deer Isle-Stonington was led by Morey with 16 points (4 three pointers). Gray added 12 points. Limeburner had eight points all coming in the fourth quarter. Curtis finished with 30 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks for Woodland. She scored 17 of her teams 20 second half points, and the 30 of the total of 44. Brooke Russell added nine points for the Dragons.
Deer Isle-Stonington advances to a Saturday regional final against Southern Aroostook at 9:05 a.m.
Woodland center Emily Curtis (#25) and Deer Isle-Stonington forward Katie Hutchinson look on for an anticipation of a rebound during Class D girls semifinal action on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Photo by Lisa Prescott (click to enlarge)
WDL 17 7 11 9- 44
DIS 14 12 6 19- 51
Rebounds- Woodland 26 DIS 22
Free throws- Woodland 10-16 DIS 9-14
Turnovers- Woodland 19 DIS 17
