Strong 2nd Half Effort Pulls Number 1 Lee by 7th seeded Houlton 58-47

The Lee Academy Pandas needed a strong second half performance and the got it as they out scored a young Houlton team 38-22 in the second half and 22-9 in the 4th period.

Boubacar Dialco had just 4 first half points but nearly outscored Houlton by himself in the 2nd half as he poured in 21 points to lead all scorers with 25 points. C.J. Johnson chipped in with 13 for Lee. For Houlton outstanding freshmen Kyle Bouchard netted 20 points and was supported by Dickerson’s 13.

Houlton led at the end of each of the first 3 quarters…12-11.. 25-20 and 38-35 before Lee had that big fourth period explosion.

Lee’s athleticism was too much for Houlton in the 4th and final period and the young Houlton players looked tired.

Both teams looked tired and ragged during the first 3 periods of play with Houlton getting the best of things for 3 periods. However, having to play 2 nights in a row and having such a emotional win over MA last night on Nick Guido’s three pointer at the buzzer may have taken it’s toll on the young Houlton Team.

However, with just one senior starter they will be a strong team again for the next few seasons.

Lee’s scoring came alot on offensive rebounds and put backs as Houlton struggled to box the aggressive offensive rebounders of Lee. Also, when Lee went to their trapping 3.4 and half court zone press trap it also gave Houlton some problems as turnovers directly led to several key Lee Layups.

Dirigo defeated Old Orchard Beach in the Western Maine C Final 69-38 foir their 4 consecutive Western B Championship under 4 different coaches. Hpowever they failed to win a state championship the previous 3 games in the State Games.

Lee defeated Dirigo in last years State C Final for their first Class C State Boys Championship.