Gilbert’s hustle lifts Foxcroft by Dexter Ponies hold off rivals, avenge only loss

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DOVER-FOXCROFT – Bobby Gilbert plays basketball with the same aggression that made him a Fitzpatrick Trophy finalist during the most recent high school football season.

Occasionally that works against the senior guard on the hardwood, but Gilbert’s hustle played a decisive role Monday night as Foxcroft Academy outlasted Dexter 48-44.

Gilbert had three assists, two steals and two key rebounds in the final quarter and he also made four late free throws as Foxcroft avenged its only loss of the season, a 20-point defeat at Dexter on Dec. 21.

That was in contrast to the first three quarters, when Gilbert struggled with his offense against a formidable Dexter defense.

“Everything in life revolves around staying positive,” said Gilbert, who finished with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists. “It doesn’t matter if you miss your first five or 10 shots, you’ve just got to keep playing. If you sulk, you’re not going to win in basketball because basketball is a game that goes from one play to the next.”

“He was clutch down the stretch,” added Foxcroft coach David Carey. “He made those four straight free throws, had some huge rebounds, and picked the ball a couple of times. He turned his game on and showed just how much he wanted to win.”

Foxcroft also received a big effort from senior center Kyle Rideout, who followed up a 27-point outing in a win at Presque Isle on Saturday with 19 points – on 8-of-12 shooting – and 10 rebounds.

“Kyle gets great position, and if you’re not watching him 100 percent of the time, he’s going to score or get the rebound because he’s stronger than most of the guys his size,” said Gilbert.

Senior forward Matt Carey added 13 points, three blocked shots and strong interior defense for the Ponies, who improved to 15-1 with their 12th straight victory as they battle Camden Hills of Rockport for the top seed in Eastern Maine Class B.

Senior guard Mark Pullen finished with 11 points and six rebounds to lead Dexter, the top-ranked team in Eastern C. Senior guard Eric Day and senior forward Chris Rabideau each scored nine points, while senior center Tim McCarthy had eight points and six boards for the Tigers, who fell to 13-2 with their second straight narrow loss.

Dexter held a slight advantage for much of this contest after Pullen sparked an 11-0 run good for a 24-20 second-quarter lead.

But with Dexter taking a 33-31 edge into the final period, Gilbert ignited an 8-2 run that gave Foxcroft the lead for good. First he stole the ball and scored to tie the game. McCarthy countered from the low post to give Dexter a 35-33 edge, but Rideout then scored twice inside, the second time after Gilbert gained control of a loose ball and rifled a pass from near midcourt, to give FA a 37-35 edge.

Gilbert fed Carey in the post to cap off the run and give Foxcroft a four-point lead with 3:21 left, but Dexter responded, as Day was fouled while making a 14-footer and added the free throw to draw the Tigers within 39-38.

Foxcroft then committed one of its 18 turnovers, and Dexter had a chance to regain the lead but missed the front end of a one-and-one after a Foxcroft timeout with 2:42 left. Gilbert rebounded the miss and soon fed senior guard Jason Cynewski, who buried a 3-pointer from the left wing to give the Ponies a 42-38 lead with 2:14 left.

Gilbert and Carey then combined to make six straight free throws in the final 1:03.

“It’s tough to go to Presque Isle on a Saturday and come back and play again Monday,” said coach Carey. “That’s tough scheduling for us, especially when you’re not allowed to practice on Sunday.

“But I guess the fatigue at that age goes away in a hurry when you see a packed house and you’re playing a rival.”

PONIES 48, TIGERS 45

Dexter (13-2) Foxcroft (15-1)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Day 3 10 3 5 9 Cynewski 2 3 6

Murray 1 4 0 1 3 Prescott 1 2

Pullen 5 11 0 1 11 Tirrell 0 0 0

Bowers 0 2 2 2 2 Carey 5 7 13

Rabideau 4 8 1 4 9 Croan 0 0 0

Martin 1 2 0 0 2 Gilbert 1 4 8

McCarthy 4 6 0 0 8 Rideout 8 12 19

Totals 18 43 6 13 44 Totals 17 29 11 15 48

Dexter 11 27 33 44

Foxcroft 16 26 31 48

3-pt. goals – Dexter (2-12): Pullen 1-2, Murray 1-4, Bowers 0-1, Martin 0-1, Day 0-4; Foxcroft (3-6): Cynewski 2-3, Carey 1-2, Gilbert 0-1

JV: Dexter 50-42

Attendance: 750 (est.)