Sixth ranked Dexter dethrones PVHS
The Dexter Tigers defeated the Penobscot Valley High School Howlers once again this Friday evening.
Ranked third in girls Class C North, PVHS has a record of nine wins and one loss. Their only loss was against Dexter back in December where they fell short on the scoreboard by five points. The Howlers have been scoring upward of 70 points and typically hold their opponents below 40.
PVHS handed second ranked Mattanawcook High School their only loss this season, winning by 11 points. The Howlers play a fast motion offense, but it all lays in their aggressive defense.
Dexter is ranked sixth with a record of eight wins and one loss. Mattanawcook beat the Tigers in a thrilling game by one point back in December. This team doesn't score as much as PVHS, however, they excel at keeping their opponents under 30 points.
The Tigers depend on their forwards to collect rebounds while their guards whip the ball around for open shots. Similarly, their defense is also aggressive and reliable.
The Howlers pressured the Tigers as soon as play commenced. With their trapping zone, PVHS caused several turnovers for Dexter throughout the first half. Senior forward, Mazie Peach, was determined to make her mark in this game; blocking every shot in her house multiple possessions. With four minutes left in the first, PVHS Junior guard, Ellie Austin drove on the defense. Keeping her dribble, she backed out of the paint for a step-back three pointer. Draining that, she made the score 8-5 Dexter.
In the last four minutes of the first quarter the Howlers forced turnovers on the Tigers for almost every possession with their scrappy defense. Tied 9-9 with ten seconds to go, Ryley Moulton, a PVHS Sophomore guard, scored a bonus foul shot to take the lead 10-9 going into the second quarter.
Backed by an enthusiastic fan section, the Howlers defensive aggressiveness sky-rocketed this quarter. However, they found it hard to strip Peach of her rebounding abilities. Once again, Austin hit a triple, fueling the Howlers late in the half.
The last two minutes of the half consisted of both teams running back and forth multiple times with no stoppage. Ten seconds were winding down with a score of 19-18, Dexter senior guard Callie Gudroe swished a three. The score was 22-18 heading into the second half.
Peach made a beautiful hook to open the second half and also made a pivotal putback. With six minutes left and a score of 24-18, she crashed the board and scored two for the Tigers. PVHS decided to put on a lot more pressure causing Dexter to struggle even more with turnovers.
Though, the Tigers made sure to capitalize on their offensive possessions. Senior forward Hannah Dean of Dexter made an easy layup from a full-court break. The Howlers were down by twelve points with just a fraction of a second remaining. Austin chucked up a shot of hope and got fouled. She hit both free throws to cut their deficit to ten. Dexter led 36-26 going into the final quarter.
Dexter made a twelve point lead again ten seconds into the quarter, but it wasn’t enough for them. Abilene Corson, a Junior guard, took an offensive foul in the paint for the Tigers, propelling the crowd into a frenzy of complaints.
Austin made a few baskets and so did Freshman guard Brooklyn Raymond, to try and bring the Howlers back in the game. However, due to Peach’s knack of always securing the rebound, the Howlers fell once again to the Tigers. The final score was 46-32.
Both teams compete again this Monday, January 22nd. The Howlers will face Stearns High School at home while the Tigers will play Mattanawcook High School at home.
