Dexter nets combined Penquis-Penobscot pod titles

By Ernie Clark, Bangor Daily News Staff

The Dexter Regional High School boys and girls basketball teams completed their 2021 seasons Tuesday by winning the outright Penobscot Valley Conference Penquis-Penobscot pod championships.

The Dexter girls capped off an undefeated campaign at home with a 52-24 victory over Penobscot Valley of Howland while the boys’ team traveled to Schenck of East Millinocket and outlasted the host Wolverines 60-55 in overtime.

In the girls game, senior guard Peyton Grant scored 29 points for the Tigers, including 14 in the first quarter to help Dexter race out to a 22-5 lead. Coach Jody Grant’s club maintained control throughout the final three quarters.

Cheyenne Beem added eight points and Avery Herrick scored six for Dexter, which ended its season at 15-0.

In the boys game, Dexter outscored Schenck 9-4 during the extra period to secure its regional crown.

The Tigers (13-2) trailed for much of the game, with Schenck leading 15-11 after the first quarter, 29-27 at halftime and 43-36 at the end of the third period before outsourcing the Wolverines 15-8 over the final eight minutes of regulation play to force overtime.

Will Kusnierz led a balanced Dexter offense with 18 points while older brother Brett Kusnierz scored 16. Robbie Dorman, Parker Ponte and Avery Gagnon added eight points each for coach Peter Murray’s club.

Regan Currie paced Schenck (11-4) with 18 points, while Kaden Hannan scored 15 and Tyrone Davis and Isaac Adkins finished with 10 points each.