PARIS — Oxford Hills senior Bryan Stone said it was a wonderful feeling being back on the court and surrounded by his teammates.
Stone (six points) helped the Vikings string together a convincing 48-36 victory over Fryeburg Academy in Friday’s Unified basketball season opener.
“It felt really good,” Stone said as a wide smile flashed across his face. “Even with the mask on, the energy was great and we finally got to play again. (My performance) could have been better, but everybody had fun.”
Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School Unified basketball player Bryan Stone, left, gives teammate Aaron Nason, right, an arm bump as he comes off the court during a timeout Friday’s game against Fryeburg in Paris. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal Buy this Photo
All that pent-up energy Stone was referring to was responsible for 30-16 halftime lead.
“They were so excited,” Oxford Hills coach Jennifer Mocciola said. “They were just happy to get out there on the court.
“They played well as a team for our first game. They played some good defense and got some good shots in, and so that was really nice to see.”
Senior Michael Patterson had the hot hand for Oxford Hills, scoring a team-high 16 points, and senior Alex Kahkonen and sophomore Cole Mackenzie each dropped in eight.
Destiny Webb’s teammates wouldn’t let her leave the court without her scoring a basket. The Vikings kept feeding Webb the ball before she finally slipped the ball past Fryeburg defenders and into the net late in the second half.
Oxford Hills senior Megan Bickford, who began volunteering to help students with developmental disabilities play Unified basketball since she was a freshman, enjoys being a mentor on the court.
“Honestly, it is just the atmosphere we create,” Bickford said. “It is very positive and there is a lot of teamwork and students get to be part of a team.
“They are amazing kids. They can shoot, they can dribble and they are some of the nicest people you can meet.”
Like Bickford, senior Maggie Powers has been a volunteer with Fryeburg’s Unified basketball program since her sophomore year.
“It really fun,” Powers said. “We are a great group of friends. We spend a lot of time outside the sport, too. I have had a blast doing it. It has been a while, so I am really happy to (participate).
Fryeburg turned things around in the second half, making it a tighter game for Oxford Hills.
Raiders big man Donny Calderwood dominated the boards and turned in a game-high 26 points.
“It felt good to have my first game, finally,” Calderwood said.
Fryeburg coach Kathy Dunham said it has always been a pleasure coaching the Raiders.
“Just watching the athletes and watching them develop their skills, and just watching them become a team,” Dunham said. “They were so excited (to play).”
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