BANGOR, Maine- The Jonesport-Beals Royals outscored the Greater Houlton Christian Academy Eagles 39-24 in the second half Thursday afternoon, en route to a 66-53 win in a Maine Principals’ Association Class D boys semifinal basketball game at the Cross Insurance Center.
Jonesport-Beals (17-2) started out quickly jumping out to a 10-0 lead, and really bothering the Eagles with a full court press forcing them into eight turnovers in the first three minutes of action. After a clock malfunction that stopped play for a few minutes, GHCA took advantage outscoring the Royals 13-4 to close the quarter to get within 14-13.
In the second quarter on the Eagles first possession they took their first lead on a Parker Brewer three point play. The two teams swapped leads on seven different occasions in the quarter, and GHCA went up as many as six, going into the half holding a 29-27 lead.
The momentum swung back to Jonesport-Beals in the third quarter. The Royals scored the first six points to make it 33-29, and after a three pointer by Will Austin pulled the Eagles back within one, the Royals went on a 9-0 run led by four points by Alvin Beal Jr., and a three point play by Judson Carver to give them their biggest lead to that point at 42-32. The Eagles pulled back within five with five straight points, but the Royals once again responded with a 8-2 run to close the quarter up 11. More of the same in the fourth quarter as GHCA never got closer than 11 points, and Jonesport-Beals led by as many as 18.
Jonesport-Beals was led by Kaiden Crowley who had 18 points (14 in second half) and six rebounds. Ryan Alley had 15 points. Beal finished with 14 points (12 in second half) and five rebounds. Judson Carver also added nine points, and Adam Robinson only had six points but was a key to the full court press with eight steals. Brewer finished with 17 points (15 in first half) and six rebounds for Greater Houlton Christian. Austin had 12 points. Isaac Potter also had 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Eagles finish their season at 16-3, making it to their first ever semifinal game in school history.
Jonesport-Beals advances to the regional final on Saturday morning at 11:05 a.m. to face the Schenck Wolverines.
Jonesport-Beals forward Ryan Alley (#33) tries to grab a rebound during Class D boys semifinal action against Greater Houlton Christian Academy on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Parker Brewer (44), Isaac Potter (40), and Cole Winslow (5) look to defend for GHCA on the play. Photo by Lisa Prescott (click to enlarge)
GHC 13 16 10 14- 53
JPB 14 13 23 16- 66
Rebounds- GHCA 23 JPB 20
Free throws- GHCA 7-8 JPB 14-21
Turnovers- GHCA 28 JPB 13
