Fast start carries Lee girls by Washburn for regional crown
By Andrew Neff
BANGOR - This one was over almost as soon as it began.
The top-ranked Lee Academy Pandas used intense defensive pressure and textbook ball movement and passing to fuel a dizzying start that sent them on their way to their third Eastern Maine Class D title in the last four years.
Lee Academy scored the first eight points of the game and never looked back en route to a 65-37 victory over No. 2 Washburn at the Bangor Auditorium Saturday morning.
Lee Academy, now 18-3, will take on the winner of the Western Maine final between Rangeley and Hyde next Saturday in Bangor at 1 p.m. Washburn winds up its season 14-8.
The Pandas' fullcourt trap and man-to-man pressure helped force 17 Washburn turnovers in the first half and their transition game and crisp passing built a 23-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. It was a barrage that the Beavers were never able to recover from.
Junior guard Amanda Gifford led the way for the Pandas with 14 points in the first half and a game-high 24 total. She also had five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
Kelsee McLaughlin was Washburn's lone double-digit scorer with 13 points. She also had five rebounds and four steals.