Thursday night saw perhaps the most highly anticipated match-up of the entire Aroostook League basketball season, and it didn’t exactly live up to the hype.

The reigning Class D North Regional Champion Southern Aroostook Warriors faced a rude awakening to the depths of Class B basketball, as the powerhouse Presque Isle Wildcats put a 25 point stain on their formerly perfect record.

Both teams traded baskets out of the gate, but as the game continued, the Wildcats would carry on making them, while the Warriors did not. A 19-8 first quarter lead was stretched to 36-14 at the half as senior Jenna Sargent hit her third three pointer of the night.

The second half proved to be no different, as the defense of Presque Isle stifled the Warrior offense down the stretch, holding Southern Aroostook to a season low 30 points as triples continued to fall for the home team. The Wildcats would take this one by the score of 55-30, improving their record to a still undefeated 9-0, now with possibly their biggest regular season test in the rearview. 

In addition to Sargent’s three makes from beyond the arc, junior Faith Sjoberg and senior Meg Casavant each had three of their own in the game.

“I thought we shot really well today,” Casavant said following the win. “They were a tough team so we had to step up, and we rose to the occasion, just like I knew we would.”

Sjoberg led her team with 17 points on the night, followed by Casavant, who had 13 and Sargent who recorded 9. 

The Wildcats will hit the road next Tuesday to face off against a fellow Class B opponent in the Houlton Shiretowners.