Foxcroft Academy athletic news
Boys basketball picks up
first wins of 2014-15
Sean Cody converted two free throws with 15 seconds left in double overtime to deliver the boys basketball team a thrilling 58-57 win over visiting Dexter last Monday.
The senior big man finished with 20 points and seven rebounds and teamed with freshman Drew Dankert (20 points, four rebounds, three steals) to carry the Foxcroft offense down the stretch after leading scorer Hunter Smith, who was held to nine points and five rebounds, fouled out midway through the third quarter. Cody did all of his damage in the paint and at the free throw line (8-10) while Dankert knocked down five three-pointers, including a huge one to force the second extra session.
Freshman Nick Clawson was also impressive for the Ponies, forcing overtime with a gutsy left-handed lay-up in traffic and finishing with four points, two assists, and two steals. Junior Dylan Harmon-Weeks chipped in with three points, three rebounds, and two assists while notching five of his game-high six steals in extra time.
“This was a confidence-building win for the younger kids and those without much varsity experience,” said Coach Dave Carey. “It should pay dividends before the season is out.”
Back in action in Caribou on Saturday, Foxcroft was unable to overcome a poor start and eventually fell 67-51 to the unbeaten Vikings, who are expected to be near the top of Class B East this season. The Ponies were outscored 18-4 in the opening session but played the Vikings to a near standstill the rest of the way. “We competed much better after the first quarter,” said Carey.
Smith knocked down five three-pointers and finished with a season-high 27 points to go with three assists and two steals. Dankert scored eight points, Cody had five points and four rebounds and Harmon-Weeks tallied four points and four rebounds.
The Ponies, now 1-2 on the year, will travel to Hermon Wednesday evening and will host Presque Isle at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. “Moving forward, we’ll need to do a better job taking care of the basketball and will need to be more efficient offensively,” said Carey. “But I like the way our guys are competing.”
Girls basketball
splits its two games
The girls basketball team fell 48-30 at Class C powerhouse Dexter on Thursday but bounced back nicely with a 53-46 win at Caribou on Saturday. Coach Blake Smith’s team sits at 1-2 and now returns home for a matchup with Presque Isle Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
At Dexter, the Ponies got off to a great start (led 12-8 after one quarter) but never quite recovered from a 13-0 Tiger run to close the first half. Grace Bickford and Madison Chadbourne provided nearly all of the offense (14 points a piece) while Liz Richard added two points. Megan Peach and Abbey Jordan combined to score 31 for the Tigers.
At Caribou, the Ponies jumped out to an 11-7 lead after one, led 23-20 at the break, upped their lead to 39-30 after three and played a solid fourth quarter to hold on for the 53-46 win. Chadbourne followed up her strong performance in Dexter with 17 more points while Abby Simpson was also tough inside, scoring 13. Bickford poured in eight points and was a standout on both ends of the court, Abbi Bourget scored seven points, Richard had five, and Kendra Ewer added three.
Annis, Carroll and Clukey lead swimming team
to win in season opener
The girls swimming team opened its season with an 87-70 win over Brewer at the PRYMCA Friday night. Julia Annis, Avery Carroll and Jenna Clukey accounted for 16 points each to lead the Ponies to victory.
In individual events, Annis dominated the 100 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke, Carroll took care of business in the 200 IM and the 100 backstroke and Clukey won the 200 freestyle and the 100 butterfly.
In relay action, Carroll, Julia Annis, Clukey and Jil Annis won the 200 medley relay, nearly breaking the school record in the process; Carroll, Gabie Johnson, Chloe Waugh and Julia Annis won the 200 freestyle relay; and Jil Annis, Johnson, Waugh and Clukey won the 400 freestyle relay.
The boys team fell to the Witches 88-43 but received a very strong effort from Clay Carroll, who won the 200 IM and the 100 butterfly while also teaming with Zach Johnson, Dexter Canning and Tony Tang to win the 200 freestyle relay.
Both teams will be back in action against John Bapst at the PRYMCA this Friday at 6:15 p.m.
Wrestlers hold their own against tough
McDonald’s field
The wrestling team scored 91 points to place fourth out of 17 teams at the McDonald’s Tournament at Mountain Valley High School in Rumford on Saturday. The Ponies finished behind Noble (168.5), Ellsworth (128.5) and Mountain Valley (109).
“This was a very good tournament,” said Coach Luis Ayala. “There was a lot of tough competition, which is what we need to get ready for the end of the season. We finished where I thought we would, and there were a lot of positive things to take away.”
Three Pony wrestlers finished second in their brackets: Brooks Law at 152 pounds, Billy Brock at 170 and Michael Pendriss at 220. Brandon Brock took third at 195 while Esau Olson (106) and RJ Nelson (120) posted fourth-place finishes.
Ayala was particularly impressed with Olson’s performance. “Freshman Esau Olson, our 106, just showed a lot of heart and determination. He weighs only 75 pounds and beat some wrestlers that were 25-30 pounds heavier than him. As the tournament progressed, everybody in the gym was cheering for him because every time he wrestled he just gave his all.”
Ayala also continues to be impressed with the toughness shown by Nelson, another freshman, and singled out Brandon Brock’s effort in fighting his way back from an upset loss in the quarterfinals. He also applauded the work done by Pendriss, who sprung several upsets to reach the finals. “That is the best I have seen him wrestle,” he said. “He is putting things together and wrestling smart. If he stays healthy, he will go far.”
The Ponies will welcome Dexter, PCHS and Mattanawcook in their first home meet of the season this Wednesday at 6 p.m.