The second-seeded Wisdom High School girls basketball team booked its ticket to Saturday’s 9 a.m. Class D North final by outscoring No. 3 Machias 20-0 in the second period en route to a 61-25 victory at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Thursday.
The teams were tied 11-11 after one quarter, but the 16-1 Pioneers held the Bulldogs to an 0-for-14 shooting performance in the second period and forced several turnovers with their full-court press.
Wisdom will now take on defending three-time regional champ 20-0 Southern Aroostook of Dyer Brook in Saturday’s 9 a.m. D North final.
They did not meet during the regular season.
Junior forward Olivia Ouellette and sophomore guard Lilly Roy had exceptional first halves as Ouellette registered 10 points and 11 rebounds along with two assists while Roy had nine points, seven rebounds and two assists.
Roy finished with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and three steals and Ouellette dominated the paint throughout and wound up with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Junior point guard Abbie Lerman contributed 17 points, three assists, three rebounds and three steals.
Skyler Tinker’s seven points and five rebounds and Kristin Grant’s six points and three rebounds paced 14-5 Machias. Jaydin Anderson added four points and 10 rebounds.
Ouellette said it took her team a quarter to get warmed up.
“When we came out in the second quarter we were strong,” Ouellette said. “We had rebounds and passes and we all clicked together. That’s what got us the win.”
“Our press really worked in the second quarter,” Roy said. “And we rebounded better, too.”
The second quarter rally began with a Lerman pass to Roy for a fast break layup.
Roy sank two free throws, Lerman had a pair of foul shots and Ouellette fed Roy for a 3-pointer at the top of the key.
Roy hit a jumper, Ouellette passed to Kylie Pelletier for a base line jumper, Alexis Silva dished off to Ava Lermann for a three and Ouellette closed out the half with a pair of inside baskets off passes from Abbie Lerman and Kamryn Clavette.
