AUGUSTA- To win a championship you need multiple players to step up. The Central Aroostook Panthers had just that in a 67-61 win over Winthrop in the Class C girls state title game played Saturday night at the Augusta Civic Center.
The Panthers jumped out to a 10-2 lead and held a 16-8 advantage after the first eight minutes behind six points from Maci Beals. Central Aroostook built the lead to 21-10 early in the second quarter. Winthrop went on a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to 21-17. Beals had 16 points in the first half, including 10 in the second quarter as the Panthers held a 35-25 intermission advantage.
Central Aroostook held a lead of 38-30 with 5:07 remaining in the third quarter. That is when Beals picked up her fourth foul. Things changed towards Winthrop favor as they went on a 12-2 run and took what would end up being their only lead at 42-40. Liberty Fulton made a three pointer to give the Panthers the lead back. Central Aroostook held a 46-44 advantage heading into the final quarter.
The Panthers scored the first five points of the final quarter to move ahead 51-44. Winthrop rallied to even the score at 51. Libby Grass went 5-6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, including making two to give Central Aroostook a lead (53-51) they wouldn’t give back. Central Aroostook secured the win by going 11-17 from the free throw line in the final eight minutes to secure the win.
Aaliya Wilson-Falcone led the Ramblers with 17 points, eight rebounds, and five steals. Kena Souza had 15 points. Madison Forgue and Jillian Schmelzer finished with 10 points each. Winthrop finishes the season with a 19-3 record. Winthrop shot 7-11 from the free throw line, while Central Aroostook shot 14-23.
Beals led the Panthers with 20 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Bre Bradbury recorded 14 points (9 in fourth quarter), seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Grass and Fulton had 12 points each. Fulton who missed two games in the regional tournament, made 4 three pointers. Central Aroostook made nine three pointers, setting a record for a Class C girls state game. It is the first state title for Central Aroostook (19-4) since 1982.
