BANGOR, Maine — Generations have come and gone in the 14 years since the Bucksport boys basketball last won a tournament game in Bangor.
In fact, one of the catalysts of that team, Jason Harvey, is now the baseball coach at Husson University.
Now, a new generation of Golden Bucks is looking to carve their own niche as third-ranked Bucksport won its first tourney game since 2002 with a 47-28 Class C North quarterfinal victory over No. 6 Dexter Wednesday morning.
The 15-4 Golden Bucks will meet seventh-ranked Hodgdon, which upset No. 2 Fort Fairfield in Wednesday’s later game. Dexter finishes 13-7.
It was offensive efficiency and strong interior defense that were the keys to victory for coach Larry Deans’ club, which gradually pulled away after an 8-8 tie after the first quarter.
“It takes a while offensively, it’s tough for us at times,” said Deans.
Senior guard Kyle Jackson proved to be the offensive catalyst for Bucksport, scoring a game-high 16 points, including 11 in the second and third quarters during which the Bucks outscored the Tigers 27-15 to assume command.
“He’s led us in scoring several games this year,” said Deans. “I think we’ve had six or seven different high scorers this year. Tonight it was his turn. Friday night it could be somebody else’s.”
Jackson would jumpstart Bucksport’s second-half surge with a driving shot followed by a 3-pointer from the right side, and Riley Macleod and Tyler Pye contributed four points apiece during the Bucks’ third-quarter charge.
The interior presence of 6-foot-5 center Macleod made things tough for the Tigers, forcing them to settle for perimeter shots.
Macleod would pull down 15 rebounds to go with his eight points.
“He’s a force in the middle, at 6-5, he takes up a lot of space,” said Deans.
Hayden Craig was Bucksport’s other double-figures scorer with 10 points.
The Bucks’ defense limited Dexter to four second-half field goals while forcing the Tigers into many hurried shots.
Deans also is hopeful that now the Bucks have the tourney monkey off their backs, they’ll enter Friday’s game relaxed.
“I was nervous,” he said.
Brayden Miller’s 10 points led Dexter.
