Pony defense clamps down to defeat Dexter for eighth straight victory

DOVER-FOXCROFT — A sole point yielded in the first quarter and five field goals surrendered all game helped the Foxcroft Academy girls earn a 36-21 victory over Dexter Regional during a Class B North/Class C North interclass contest between the Route 7 rivals on the evening of Feb. 3.
The 21 points represented a season-best defensive performance for the Ponies who improved to 13-3 with the team’s eighth win a in a row heading into the last week of the regular season. Foxcroft stood in fourth place in the Class B North Heal Point standings after the game, which would be good to earn a trip straight to the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor for a quarterfinal matchup.
Foxcroft jumped out to a 7-0 advantage before a free throw by Tiger senior Kayli Cunningham put her team on the scoreboard with 2:26 remaining in the opening eight-minute session. The team would not connect on its first shot from the floor until nearly two minutes into the second quarter, and from there Dexter got to within two at 9-7.
Pony senior Grace Bickford would prevent the Tigers from getting any closer as she made a basket while positioned in the low post and was fouled in the act of shooting. Bickford made Dexter pay for its transgression by converting the resulting foul shot to complete the 3-point play.
Before the clock expired to send the two teams to the locker room Bickford had both a layup and jumper to put the Foxcroft advantage at 16-7. She was the only player from either squad to reach double figures with 13 points as Bickford picked up 11 of these in the first half with seven coming in quarter No. 2.
A double-digit lead was kept up the rest of the way as the Ponies won by the final 36-21 score. The win gave the team a season sweep of Dexter, as Foxcroft won the road contest 38-37 on Jan. 9.
Dexter fell to 9-6, losing for only the second time in the team’s previous six games as both defeats were against Foxcroft. The Tigers are aiming to be at home for next week’s Class C North preliminary round with three games remaining on the schedule as of presstime.
Cunningham and senior Megan Peach tied for the Dexter team lead with nine points apiece.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
LUCKY 13 POINTS — Foxcroft Academy senior Grace Bickford drives toward the hoop while being guarded by Dexter senior Kayli Cunningham with Tiger junior Rebecca Batron and Pony senior Emily Mikoud positioned to the right. Bickford would score 11 points in the first half, and 13 overall, to lead all players in Foxcroft’s 36-21 home victory on Feb. 3.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
DRIVING THROUGH TRAFFIC — Senior Abby Webber of Dexter dribbles around Foxcroft senior Alli Bourget during the second quarter of Friday night’s game before a full gym in Dover-Foxcroft.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
LOOKING FOR SOMEPLACE TO GO — Tiger senior Kayli Cunningham seeks an opening over the reach of Foxcroft sophomore Makenzie Beaudry with Pony seniors Abigail Simpson (40) and Grace Bickford (24) also positioned in the paint.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom
ON THE BLOCK — Getting ready to get a shot off in the opening quarter is Dexter senior Megan Peach during the Feb. 3 game between the visiting Tigers and host Foxcroft Academy.