BANGOR- The Southern Aroostook Warriors outrebounded the Bangor Christian Patriots 35-19 on Wednesday evening, and went on a 13-0 run that started in the third quarter and stretched into the fourth en route to a 41-28 Maine Principals’ Association Class D boys semifinal win at the Cross Insurance Center.
A basket from Graham Siltz and three-pointers by Buddy Porter and Dylan Burpee out of the gates made it 8-0 Southern Aroostook. The Warriors led 12-8 after one quarter. Jalen Reed had the first 11 points for Bangor Christian, but they were still on the other end of a 19-14 deficit at halftime. The Patriots would take a momentary lead in the third quarter 24-23, but a bucket from Siltz and a three-pointer by Porter put SACHS back up for good at 28-24 heading to the fourth. They turned it on in the fourth continuing the run to 13-0 by scoring the first eight points for a 36-24 advantage, and they held BCS to just four points in the final eight minutes. The Warriors have held their first two opponents of this tournament to 24 and 28 points respectively.
Dylan Burpee led the way in the win after a slow start. Burpee had 15 points (nine in the second half) and also added 12 rebounds. Porter had 11 points and five rebounds, while Siltz chipped in eight points and also hauled in 13 rebounds. Drake Weston also contributed with seven points and five rebounds. The top seeded and defending state champion Warriors now 20-0 will take on Machias in a regional final rematch from last season on Saturday at 10:45 a.m. Reed led Bangor Christian in the loss with 16 points, eight rebounds, and two assists. Conrad Straubel and Jason Libby each made a pair of three-pointers for six points a piece. The Patriots end their season with a record of 15-5.
Recap by Chris Lessner/Photos by Lisa Prescott/Videos by Gabe Nason
