DEXTER- Mazie Peach had a triple double, and Hannah Dean added a double double on Friday evening in leading the Dexter Tigers to a 39-34 Class C girls basketball win over Penobscot Valley (PVHS) in a battle of unbeatens at Ed Guiski Gymnasium.
In a game that had a tournament intensity, the first half saw five lead changes and six ties. Dexter led by as many as three, and PVHS by two as the first half ended with a 19-18 edge for the Tigers. Peach put in 11 of her 15 points on the night in that first 16 minutes, but eight points by Lila Cummings kept the Howlers in it. The hosts opened up the third quarter on a run of 10-0 in what was a decisive period. Four players scored during the spurt as the lead grew to 29-18. PVHS finally found the basket with 2:45 left in the stanza, but it was Tigers taking a 13 point advantage to the final quarter. The Howlers would chip away opening the fourth on a 7-0 run, and a three-pointer by Mia Neal sliced the deficit to 34-28 with three minutes to play. A rebound and layup by Brooklyn Raymond got the guests even closer at 37-34 with 1:02 remaining. Dexter was able to put it away however with 1-2 effort from the foul line by both Abilene Corson and Cally Gudroe to remain perfect on the season at 4-0.
Peach had 15 points, 16 rebounds, and 10 blocked shots. Her presence in the paint was huge in leading Dexter to the victory. Dean had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Also chipping in for the Tigers was Gudroe with six points, six rebounds, and three assists, Corson with five points, and Desiree Adams with three points. They had a 36-20 rebounding advantage and would shoot 8-14 from the foul line. Cummings led PVHS (3-1) in the defeat with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ellie Austin had eight points and five rebounds, Neal and Rylee Moulton had six points a piece, and Raymond contributed four points and five rebounds. The Howlers went 3-9 at the line. Both teams are back in action on Wednesday as Dexter plays at Mattanawcook Academy, and PVHS will host Orono.
Recap by Chris Lessner/Videos by Marc Calnan/File featured photo is from the 2023 High School Basketball Tournament in Bangor by Lisa Prescott
