BANGOR, Maine — Katahdin High School of Stacyville freshman Polly Cullen isn’t your typical point guard, especially for the small-school Class S.
First of all, she is 5-foot-8. And secondly, she leads her team in points and rebounds.
She displayed her versatility in her Class S Tournament debut on Thursday night, scoring 15 points and posting game-highs in rebounds with eight and steals with seven. Cullen helped lead the second-seeded Cougars to a 48-23 victory over seventh seed Van Buren at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
Katahdin, now 17-2, will take on third seed Jonesport-Beals, 12-7, in Tuesday’s noon semifinal at the Cross Insurance Center.
Van Buren wound up at 7-12 including three losses to Katahdin.
Cullen said she expected to be nervous before Thursday’s game, but she wasn’t. And she thought she and her Cougars teammates turned in a solid performance.
“I was happy with myself and happy with my team, and I’m just happy we got the win today,” said Cullen, who also had two assists. “We had a good performance.”
Katahdin coach Craig Hartsgrove said Cullen has averaged a double-double this season and has been instrumental in the team’s success.
“She has great size and athleticism,” said Hartsgrove. “She has the ability to play at all levels and all positions and that is certainly unique. With that opportunity at a smaller class like Class S, that creates advantages for her and some of that is just instinct and heart and being a true competitor. And she’s a true competitor.”
Being a freshman point guard can be a pressure-packed situation, but Cullen doesn’t seem to mind.
“I like being the point guard,” she said. “Wherever my coach needs me.”
Cullen admitted that her favorite part of the game is rebounding.
“I really like to crash the boards and everyone helps with assists and stuff,” said Cullen, who averages 12-13 points and 10-11 rebounds per game according to Hartsgrove.
The Katahdin coach said that rebounding gives his team opportunities, and limits them for opponents.
“And when your point guard can get in there and get double-digit rebounds, we don’t have to outlet the ball,” said Hartsgrove. “We’re already pushing it up the floor and it opens up lanes and opportunities.”
Senior forward Ayanna Lester had 13 points, six rebounds, four blocked shots and two assists for Katahdin and senior guard Emily McNally had eight points, four assists and three steals. Junior guard Elizabeth Lane chipped in with six points, five rebounds and two assists.
Freshman forward Emily Lapierre paced Van Buren with a game-high 16 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Eighth-grader Kailey Kurtyka grabbed seven rebounds. Freshman Hailey Sirois had five rebounds, an assist and a steal.
