Bangor Christian’s Reitsma stands tall in win over Eagles

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BANGOR – Bangor Christian center Pam Reitsma knows what to do against a man-to-man defense.

So when Limestone/Maine School of Science and Mathematics’ played man-to-man in their Class D quarterfinal game Monday night at the Bangor Auditorium, Reitsma found her place in the post, staked out her position – and put the ball in the hoop.

“When a team goes man, we get really good lob passes into the middle. And when we start making those shots, it gives us confidence,” Reitsma said.

The 6-1 junior preyed upon the shorter Eagles inside en route to 27 points (13-23 from the floor) and 16 rebounds (9 offensive) as Bangor Christian earned a 52-41 victory.

The 11-7 Patriots, ranked second in the Southeast division, advance to Thursday’s semifinal against Lee, a 83-45 winner over East Grand in Monday’s other quarterfinal.

Limestone, the third seed in the Northeast division, bowed out at 15-5.

Bangor Christian led just 27-24 at the half but Reitsma poured in 10 points in the third period to help the Patriots build a 12 point lead late in the third.

Eagle pointguard Ashley Brooker nailed a pair of 3-pointers in the last minute of the third and Jessica Stackhouse hit two free throws with 1:15 gone in the fourth to get Limestone back to within seven, 43-36.

But Reitsma scored Bangor Christian’s next six points, including two hoops off offensive rebounds, to put the game out of reach.

The Patriots’ towering frontcourt racked up 44 points, including 11 from 5-10 forward Jenna Seymour and six from 5-11 forward Emily Jenkins. Seymour also hauled down 16 rebounds. Bangor Christian enjoyed a 42-35 rebounding advantage.

Heather Niles and Kendil Snow (three assists each) fed the Patriot post players with some nice passes from the wing.

Limestone had just one player over 5-8, 5-10 center Erica Bickford.

The Eagles attempted to force the tempo with a variety of full court defenses, falling back mainly to a man-to-man.

Defensively, Patriots coach Craig Miller had his team counter with a 1-2-2 set in the halfcourt to minimize the effectiveness of Brooker.

Brooker finished with 11 points, but was held to 4-18 shooting.

PATRIOTS 52, EAGLES 41

Limestone (15-5) Bangor Christian (11-9)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

A. Weath’head 0 2 0 0 0 Page 1 2

Beaulieu 0 0 0 0 0 Layton 0 1 0

Stackhouse 0 2 4 6 4 Mead 0 1 0

Bickford 5 6 0 0 10 Elliott 0 0 0

St. Pierre 2 7 0 0 6 Niles 3 11 6

Brooker 4 18 0 0 11 Jenkins 3 6 6

Hancock 0 0 0 0 0 Seymour 5 8 11

Mulherin 0 0 0 0 0 French 0 1 0

Michaud 2 6 1 2 5 Snow 0 1 0

Beaton 0 5 1 2 1 Reitsma 13 22 27

T. Weath’head 1 6 2 5 4

Totals 14 52 8 15 41 Totals 25 60 52

Limestone 8 24 34 41

Ban. Christian 14 27 43 52

3-pt. goals: Limestone (5-18): Brooker 3-10, St. Pierre 2-4, Beaton 0-4; Bangor Christian (0-4): Page 0-3, Niles 0-1.