Vinalhaven eyes consecutive state crowns, Southern Aroostook eyes upset victory
AUGUSTA — Scores of people will gather at the Augusta Civic Center on Saturday, March 3 at 1:05 p.m. to enjoy a varsity girls basketball showdown between the Vinalhaven Vikings (21-0) and the Southern Aroostook Warriors (19-2).
The Vikings, the Class D South regional champion, will be entering the contest riding a 33-game winning streak that dates back to last season, a season that saw the Vikings secure a state championship.
RELATED: Vinalhaven Vikings take Girls Class D Championship and make history for the island
Members of the Vikings squad include Hope Cluff, Hannah Newton, Ashlyn Littefield, Paige Dennison, Amber Shane, Shyanne Warren, Corey Lazaro, Deja Doughty, Gilleyanne Davis-Oakes, Justice Grant and Cheyenne Bickford. The team’s head coach is Sandy Nelson, who is assisted by Sam Bickford.
The Warriors, this year’s Class D North regional champion, will be looking to stun the islanders.
Members of the Warriors squad include Victoria Belyea, Kylie Vining, Makaelyn Porter, Kacy Daggett, Paige Vose, Gracie Brewer, Hannah Landry, Sydney Brewer, Katelyn Slauenwhite, Emma Nadeau, Kassidy Mathers, Brianna Daggett, Emily Skinner, Madison Cummings and Selean Botting. The team’s head coach is Cliff Urquhart, who is assisted by Jessica Walker.
QUOTES
Cliff Urquhart, Southern Aroostook head coach: “Vinalhaven is a great team. I think they play a very similar brand of basketball that we do. Not to indulge too deep into the game plan but I think [Gilleyanne] Davis-Oakes is a tremendous player. The other [four] around her are equally as tough and shoot the ball really well. They are a tough team to defend as proven by some of their scores during the regular season and the tournament. Looking forward to a great game.”
Vinalhaven head coach Sandy Nelson did not respond to a request for her thoughts on the upcoming game.
SEASONAL RECAPS
Below is a look at how both Vinalhaven and Southern Aroostook have performed this season.
Vinalhaven Vikings (21-0)
| Friday, Dec. 8 | at Forest Hills | Won 77-24 |
| Saturday, Dec. 9 | at Forest Hills | Won 60-21 |
| Friday, Dec. 15 | vs. Valley | Won 57-19 |
| Saturday, Dec. 16 | at Valley | Won 69-29 |
| Saturday, Dec. 30 | at Temple Academy | Won 57-39 |
| Friday, Jan. 5 | vs. Rangeley Lakes | Won 53-39 |
| Saturday, Jan. 6 | vs. Rangeley Lakes | Won 51-32 |
| Friday, Jan. 12 | at Jonesport-Beals | Won 65-46 |
| Saturday, Jan. 13 | at Jonesport-Beals | Won 68-37 |
| Monday, Jan. 15 | vs. Temple Academy | Won 57-36 |
| Friday, Jan. 19 | at Highview Christian | Won 57-27 |
| Saturday, Jan. 20 | at Highview Christian | Won 54-27 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 24 | at Pine Tree Academy | Won 64-34 |
| Thursday, Jan. 25 | at Pine Tree Academy | Won 54-26 |
| Friday, Jan. 26 | at Buckfield | Won 72-30 |
| Saturday, Jan. 27 | at Buckfield | Won 52-18 |
| Friday, Feb. 2 | vs. Searsport | Won 55-37 |
| Saturday, Feb. 3 | vs. Searsport | Won 56-55 |
| Tuesday, Feb. 20 | vs. #8 Valley (Regional Quarterfinal) | Won 62-26 |
| Thursday, Feb. 22 | vs. #4 Greenville (Regional Semifinal) | Won 54-34 |
| Saturday, Feb. 24 | vs. #2 Rangeley Lakes (Regional Final) | Won 59-49 |
Southern Aroostook Warriors (19-2)
| Friday, Dec. 8 | vs. East Grand | Won 82-16 |
| Friday, Dec. 15 | vs. Shead | Won 60-18 |
| Saturday, Dec. 16 | vs. Central Aroostook | Won 69-51 |
| Tuesday, Dec. 19 | at Katahdin | Won 70-26 |
| Friday, Dec. 22 | at Houlton | Lost 51-37 |
| Thursday, Dec. 28 | vs. Wisdom | Won 69-14 |
| Friday, Dec. 29 | vs. Madawaska | Won 71-44 |
| Friday, Jan. 5 | at Shead | Won 61-26 |
| Tuesday, Jan. 9 | at Easton | Won 68-13 |
| Thursday, Jan. 11 | vs. Hodgdon | Won 61-27 |
| Monday, Jan. 15 | at Central Aroostook | Won 61-48 |
| Thursday, Jan. 18 | vs. Easton | Won 69-30 |
| Monday, Jan. 22 | vs. Houlton | Lost 50-45 |
| Wednesday, Jan. 24 | at Hodgdon | Won 60-32 |
| Saturday, Jan. 27 | at Madawaska | Won 56-45 |
| Friday, Feb. 2 | at Wisdom | Won 59-25 |
| Tuesday, Feb. 6 | at East Grand | Won 74-32 |
| Thursday, Feb. 8 | vs. Katahdin | Won 57-25 |
| Monday, Feb. 19 | vs. #9 Jonesport-Beals (Regional Quarterfinal) | Won 71-39 |
| Wednesday, Feb. 22 | vs. #5 Katahdin (Regional Semifinal) | Won 73-41 |
| Saturday, Feb. 24 | vs. #2 Woodland (Regional Final) | Won 55-41 |
Reach George Harvey and the sports department at: sports@penbaypilot.com.
