Howlers outlast Penquis boys in four overtimes

In Milo Friday night, freshman Max Hamel knocked down a three pointer with under a minute left to eventually send the game into overtime, and Penobscot Valley would outlast Penquis 50-42 in four extra sessions in Class C boys basketball action.

The Howlers had the upper hand early in the game, finishing off the first two quarters with leads of 13-10 and 24-18 respectively. Junior Ryan Dawson led the way with 11 first-half points, while Brayden Hobbs netted 11 of his own for the Patriots, including 3 three-pointers.

Penquis outplayed their opponent in the third quarter, turning a six point deficit into a two point lead. Hobbs (5 points) and Kooper Badger (6) shouldered most of the scoring load during the frame, while Darius Miranda helped keep his Howlers in the game with a pair of baskets. 

Penquis took a three point lead late into the fourth quarter. But that is when Hamel and PVHS executed a set play that gave him some daylight at the top of the key and the freshman calmly buried the three-pointer to tie the game. A contested shot at the buzzer by Hobbs fell just short as the teams headed for overtime. 

There was no scoring involved in both the first and second overtime, as Penquis gained possession and ran the clock down for the final shot each time. In the third overtime Penobscot Valley held a two point lead, only to have senior Brenan Grant score a clutch basket in the paint with about 10 seconds remaining to send it to a fourth extra session. In the fourth overtime, the Howlers knocked down six free throws to help pick up the hard fought road win.

Dawson had 16 points and Miranda added 15 to lead the way for Penobscot Valley. Hamel scored nine, while Chase Osgood had four points, and Noah Austin along with Seamus Herlihy rounded out the scoring with three points a piece.

Penquis was led by Hobbs who dropped a game-high 18 points. Badger finished in double digits with 11, while Grant and Caiden Fowles each connected for six. Brodie Lovejoy chipped in three points, while Antonio Woodard had two for the Patriots.

PVHS salvaged the season split on the season with the win, and improved to 3-6 on the year. They will host top-ranked Class D foe Schenck on Wednesday. Penquis dropped to 3-5 and will travel to Millinocket to face off with Stearns on Monday.

Balanced scoring leads Penobscot Valley boys past Lee

At Howland on Friday night, the PVHS boys basketball team was able to salvage the season split by defeating Lee Academy 59-49.

Balanced scoring was key for the Howlers, as all five starters netted at least nine points. The teams were knotted up at 11 each after eight minutes of play, with Darius Miranda (6) and Noah Austin (5) supplying all of the scoring for PVHS. The second quarter saw Penobscot Valley outscore the Pandas 17-8 and take a nine point lead into the half.

The teams had a deadlocked third quarter as the lead remained the same.  The Howlers were able to get some timely baskets and some free throws in the fourth quarter to fend off the Pandas and get the ten point win.

PVHS was led by Noah Austin, who had 14 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Drouin Brochu finished with 12 points and seven boards, while Darius Miranda (11 points), Chase Osgood (10 points and four assists), and Ryan Dawson (nine points and nine rebounds) all had big nights. Camron Smeal also scored three points for the 4-8 Howlers who will host Mattanawcook Academy on Monday.

Jackson Sabattus scored a game-high 15 points for Lee Academy, while Austen Jipson (14) and Finn Knowles (11) each scored in double figures. Andrew Glidden and Cayden Pullen finished with five and four points respectively. Lee did a great job of getting to the line, knocking down 13 more free throws than the Howlers. The Pandas drop to 7-6 and will travel to Stearns on Monday.

Balanced scoring effort leads PVHS boys to a win over Stearns

In Millinocket Monday, the PVHS Howlers jumped out to a 14-6 first quarter lead and never looked back in defeating the Stearns Minutemen 57-43.

As they've done all season, PVHS spread the ball around and had balanced scoring. Noah Austin scored a game-high 15 points and hauled down six rebounds, while fellow junior Ryan Dawson finished with 14 points and five boards. Darius Miranda went 3 for 3 from three-point range and tallied 11 points, and Drouin Brochu was relentless in the paint and on the glass in scoring 10 points and collecting 16 rebounds. Chase Osgood (5) and Camron Smeal (2) rounded out the scoring. The Howlers improve to 5-12, as they try to keep their playoff hopes alive. They will host Dexter in the regular season finale on Wednesday and recognize their lone senior (Smeal). 

Stearns was led by Michael Robinson (12 points), Beckett Brown (10), Shayne Grass (9), and Tyler Morris (7). Other scorers included Cohen Raymond (2), Tristan Shafter (2), and Lucas Pelkey (1). The Minutemen drop to 5-12 on the season and will travel to first place Schenck to wrap up their regular season also on Wednesday.