BANGOR- Survive and advance. That’s exactly what #1 seed and undefeated Ellsworth did on Saturday afternoon. Chance Mercier scored a game high 25 points before fouling out in the fourth quarter, as the Eagles held off #8 Presque Isle 54-48 in a Class B North boys quarterfinal at the Cross Insurance Center.
Presque Isle (10-9) had an early 8-4 lead when Noah Yarema knocked in a three-pointer. Ellsworth though took over the lead for good helped by 10 first quarter points from Mercier, and led 14-10 after the opening eight minutes. The Eagles led 26-18 at the half, and then seemed to be in control taking a 12 point lead in the third and a 37-27 advantage headed to the fourth. The Wildcats though took advantage of 10 missed free throws by Ellsworth in the final period, and got within 52-48 late on a three-pointer from Dawson Beaulieu. 1-2 efforts from the line by both Hunter Curtis and Brett Bragdon though would ice the win, advancing the Eagles into a Wednesday night semifinal against Old Town at 8:35 p.m.
Mercier added six rebounds and three assists to his point total in the Ellsworth win, as their record now goes to 20-0. Gage Hardy added eight points and seven rebounds, while Curtis chipped in seven points and seven rebounds. The Eagles closest game prior to Saturday was a 12 point win over Foxcroft Academy on January 18. Malachi Cummings had 17 points and four rebounds for Presque Isle, and Yarema contributed 11 points and six rebounds. Ellsworth went 9-19 from the foul line in the fourth quarter, allowing PI to get back in the game.
PRESQ 10 8 9 21- 48
ELLSW 14 12 11 17- 54
ELLSWORTH (54)
C. Mercier 10-5-25, Hardy 3-2-8, Curtis 2-3-7, MacDonald 1-1-4, Bragdon 1-2-4, B. Mercier 1-0-2, Michael Palmer 1-0-2, Miles Palmer 1-0-2, Harris
Rebounds- 28
Free Throws- 13-24
Three-point goals- MacDonald
PRESQUE ISLE (48)
Cummings 4-7-17, Yarema 5-0-11, McAtee 4-1-9, Maynard 1-1-4, Hallett 1-2-4, Beaulieu 1-0-3, Castonguay, Buck, Langley
Rebounds- 18
Free Throws- 11-20
Three-point goals- Cummings 2, Maynard, Yarema, Beaulieu
