A win is a win in the Maine basketball tournament. Even an ugly win.
By Matt Junker, Bangor Daily News Sports Editor
BANGOR — The Foxcroft Academy Ponies worked hard to earn a quarterfinal win over Calais High School in the girls Class C North basketball tournament on Monday night. But it wasn’t always pretty.
Foxcroft survived a 32-22 game that featured a lot of defensive action and some stretches of non-existent offense for both teams.
“That was probably the ugliest win of the year, to be honest,” Foxcroft head coach Tyler Muzzy said after the victory. “We probably missed 20 layups.”
QUARTERFINAL WIN — Foxcroft Academy’s Kassidy Lebel goes up for a shot over Calais defender Jordyn Craig during first half action of a Class C North quarterfinal Monday at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor. No. 3 Foxcroft won 32-22 to advance to a semifinal against second seed George Stevens Academy of Blue Hill.
Foxcroft senior Kassidy Lebel had the best night by far for either team on the court Monday night, scoring 17 points and hauling down 13 rebounds. Sophomore Sadie McPhee led the scoring for Calais with six points.
Given the pace of the game, Muzzy said his message to the team was to “keep getting stops” against Calais.
“That’s been our focal point, our half-court man-to-man is really good,” Muzzy said about Foxcroft’s team defense. “We don’t allow a lot of easy baskets.”
Muzzy pointed out that the game was the first time at the postseason tournament in Bangor for this Ponies squad. He suspected that nerves had a lot to do with their offensive production.
DRIVING TO THE HOOP — Maddie Muth drives by Calais defender Jordyn Craig in the second half.
And even though Monday night was ugly, it was still a win for the No. 3 Ponies over the No. 6 Blue Devils.
“A win is a win,” Muzzy added. “I said, win and move on.”