It hasn’t been uncommon for the Penquis and Penobscot Valley boys basketball teams to split during the regular season; it’s something they’ve done each year since 2019/2020. What has been uncommon, however, is to win at the other teams gym. Penquis broke the home dominance trend last month when they won in Howland by one point, and on Tuesday night the Howlers returned the favor with a 41-34 victory in Milo.
Balanced scoring got Penquis off to an early 11-8 lead that wrapped up the first quarter, led by Senior L.J. Shaw with four points. Kooper Badger knocked down a three during the frame as well. The PVHS points came courtesy of Gabe Reed and Colin Dunn, each with four. A big second quarter by Reed of seven points threatened the lead by the Patriots, but six points from the hot shooting hand of Max Wells carried Penquis into the break with a 20-19 advantage.
Balanced scoring by the Howlers allowed them to capture a lead late in the third, as they received contributions from Reed, Dunn, Isaac Doore, Kaden Loring, and Nate Scharff to go up 31-28. The dangerous tandem of Shaw and Wells kept their team in it with four points apiece. Timely baskets and free throws allowed Penobscot Valley to create some separation in the fourth, as they held on for the seven point win.
Reed led all scorers on the night with 17 points. Dunn finished with eight, Doore with six, Scharff with four, and Loring, Moon, and Harding each had two. The Howlers climb over the .500 mark for the first time since opening night of the season at 7-6, and have won six of their last eight games. PVHS will host Lee Academy on Friday.
Penquis had two double-digit scorers on the evening in Wells (14) and Shaw (12), and also got points from Badger with six and Andrew LaGasse with two. The Patriots slip to 5-6, and have a quick turnaround as they travel to Dexter on Wednesday.
Recap by Chris Lessner with information provided by PVHS head coach Jeremy Durost. Photo is PVHS guard Gabe Reed in a game against Guilford last week courtesy of Feldmus Photography
