Girls Varsity Basketball

Coaches: Torri Pratt & Lindsey Carter

VINALHAVEN (Jan 7): After starting the season with back-to-back close road losses, the Vinalhaven girls basketball team has won seven straight games — including Saturday morning's 49-11 home victory over Penobscot Bay neighbor Islesboro — and soared to the number one spot in Western Class D.

The Vikings improved to 7-2 with Saturday's win over the Eagles, who evened their early-season mark at 2-2.

Vinalhaven used stifling defense, solid passing, depth and a balanced offensive attack to stay several steps ahead of the visiting Eagles, who competed with only seven players.

The Viking defense was so tough that the Eagles scored only two points in the first quarter, three in the second, four in the third and two in the fourth. Vinalhaven led 13-2, 25-5 and 41-9 at the quarter breaks.

For the Vikings, Claire Carter netted 12 points; Kayla Conway, eight; Chelsey Moyer, six; Amelia Davidson, five; Alex Young and Brooke Conway, both four; and Alana Watt and Jenn Guptill, both two. The Vikings made 5-of-12 free throws (42 percent).

For the Eagles, Michelle Reidy netted seven points and Shawna Johnston and Sarah Cowles both two. Islesboro made 3-of-4 foul shots (75 percent).

Earlier Viking Results

The host Vikings downed Valley-Bingham 37-30 on Dec. 28, after leading 8-7, 22-18 and 26-19 at the breaks.

Keying the islanders were Olivia Chilles with nine points; Kayla Conway and Young, both six; Carter and Jenn Guptill, both four; Davidson, three; Moyer and Chelsea Guptill, both two; and Brooke Conway, one. Vinalhaven made 9-of-17 foul shots (53 percent).

The Vikings swept a pair of games from visiting Richmond Dec. 21-22. The Bobcats are coached by Molly Bishop, a former student-athlete and teacher-coach at Medomak Valley High School.

Vinalhaven's Kayla Conway, right, and Islesboro's Erica Hatch collide as they go for the ball during Saturday's game. (Photo by Ken Waltz)

On Dec. 21, Vinalhaven won 46-35, after trailing 12-10 at the end of the first quarter and leading 19-16 and 35-25 after the next two stanzas.

Keying the islanders were Chilles with 13 points; Chelsea Guptill with 12 points; Carter, 10; Davidson, nine; Jenn Guptill, three; and Kayla Conway, two. The Vikings made 5-of-16 foul shots (31 percent).

On Dec. 22, Vinalhaven bested Richmond 42-35, after trailing 8-6 at the end of the first quarter and leading 24-17 at halftime and 30-23 after three stanzas. The islanders tallied 18 points in the second quarter.

Islesboro's Emily Thomas looks to make an inbounds pass against Vinalhaven Saturday. (Photo by Ken Waltz)

Pacing Vinalhaven were Chilles with 16 points; Carter, 10; Kayla Conway and Chelsea Guptill, both six; and Jenn Guptill four. The Vikings made 2-of-6 foul shots (33 percent).

The Vikings bested host and Penobscot Bay neighbor North Haven 57-27 on Dec. 17, after leading 14-7, 28-12 and 45-15 at the breaks.

Leading Vinalhaven were Davidson with 13 points; Brooke Conway, Chelsey Moyer and Chelsea Guptill, all eight; Young, six; Carter and Chilles, five; and Kayla Conway, four. The Vikings netted 4-of-6 foul shots (67 percent).

For the Hawks, sisters Erin and Brittany Cooper led the way with nine and eight points respectively. Natalie Jones and Amelia Campbell both scored four points and Kelsi Ruffalo two for North Haven, which connected on 3-of-14 foul shots (21 percent).

The Vikings started their current win streak with a sweep of Rangeley Dec. 14-15. The hosts beat the Lakers 50-22 Dec. 15 and 42-19 Dec. 14.

On Dec. 15, the Vikings led 13-4, 22-10 and 39-14 at the breaks. Carter scored 13 points; Jenn Guptill, eight; Davidson, six; Watt and Chelsea Guptill, both five; Chilles, four; Brooke Conway, three; and Kayla Conway, Moyer and Alex Young, all two. Vinalhaven made 7-of-15 free throws (47 percent).

On Dec. 14, Vinalhaven led 6-5, 19-11 and 34-15 at the breaks against Rangeley. Pacing the islanders were Chilles with 11 points; Brooke Conway, nine; Davidson, six; Moyer, Kayla Conway and Carter, all four; and Jenn Guptill and Chelsea Guptill, both two.

Vinalhaven began the campaign with back-to-back tough losses to host Forest Hills of Jackman, losing the second game 42-34 on Dec. 8. Forest Hills led 13-12 and 22-20 after the first two breaks. The teams were tied 30-30 after three quarters. Forest Hills outscored the Vikings 11-4 in the final stanza, including making 7-of-8 free throws (88 percent).

Keying the Vikings were Carter with 11 points; Chelsea Guptill, six; Brooke Conway, five; Alex Young and Davidson, both four; and Kayla Conway and Libby Young, both two. The islanders made 7-of-10 free throws (70 percent).

Forest Hills nipped the Vikings 47-46 in a season-opening game Dec. 7. Vinalhaven led 12-10 after one quarter but trailed 30-23 at halftime and 35-30 after three quarters.

Leading Vinalhaven were Davidson with 17 points, including making four 3-pointers and 3-of-4 free throws. Alex Young added 11 points; Kayla Conway, nine; Carter, eight; and Chelsea Guptill, one.

Top-ranked Vikings ground Eagles in island matchup
By Ken Waltz
VillageSoup/Knox County Times Sports Director