It was almost like the Central Aroostook won twice Wednesday at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
The Panthers seemingly won on a buzzer-beating and-1 layup by sophomore Charlie Pierce, but upon an instant replay review by the officials, it was ruled that she did not get that shot off in time. She was still awarded two free throws.
After her team had already celebrated once, Pierce calmly stepped up and knocked down the first shot. She didn’t need the second, and her teammates rushed the floor to celebrate the win a second time.
Central Aroostook beat Wisdom 35-34.
“When I first put it up, I didn’t even realize how little time there was, and then I saw the red light as it hit the backboard,” Pierce said after the game when asked about the final play. “So I wasn’t sure if my hand got off of it in time for it to count.”
Central Aroostook coach Cody Tompkins appreciated that there was a replay review.
“I’d want to make sure that they got it correct, and I’m really glad that they did,” Tompkins said.
“And big shot for this one right here, I’m super proud of her,” Tompkins said about Pierce.
Central Aroostook’s Charlie Pierce (#40) makes the tie-breaking free throw to win the Class D North Semifinal game on Wednesday; Wisodm’s Peyton Roy Wilcox (#21) attempts to block a layup by Central Aroostook’s Lilly Burtt (#22) in Wednesday’s game; Central Aroostook’s Charlie Pierce (#40) shares an emotional hug with teammate Maggie Mahan (#20) after Pierce shot a tie-breaking foul shot Wednesday. Credit: Linda Coan O’Kresik / BDN
The Central Aroostook girls from Mars Hill are now headed to the Class D North regional championship on Saturday at the Cross Insurance Center.
The Panthers clawed back to beat the Wisdom Pioneers in yet another Bangor tournament thriller.
“I couldn’t be happier as a coach, and I couldn’t ask more from my kids. And man, it’s a good day to be a Panther,” Tompkins said.
Lilly Burtt led the scoring Wednesday morning with 18 points for Central Aroostook, and Ava Lerman had 13 points for Wisdom.