Bartlett pours in 30 points to key visitors, Wright 17 for host Vikings
SEARSPORT — Although they are neighbors separated by seven miles off Rt. 1, in 2020-21, the Belfast and Searsport boys basketball teams are, literally and figuratively, worlds apart. They occupy a different place in time.
This winter, the Lions, a Class B squad, include 11 seniors. The Vikings, a Class C team, have a roster that includes two seniors, two juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen.
Belfast is built to win now. The Vikings are rebuilding, shooting to improve for the future. Post pandemic.
The Waldo County squads met on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 13 for the second time this season and, while the contest was competitive to start, the more experienced and powerful Lions slowly, but surely, roared to the victory.
When the final horn had sounded, Belfast had nailed down a 68-43 win.
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The Lions also beat the Vikings 85-53 earlier in the season.
Thus far in this pandemic-altered winter campaign, Belfast is 4-5 and Searsport 1-6 playing regional schedules.
On Saturday, Belfast trailed 10-9 after one quarter, but led 28-18 at halftime and 51-29 after three stanzas.
Ultimately, the Lions had too much of everything, especially Jason Bartlett, who made shots all over the court, including on hard drives to the hoop. Bartlett finished with 30 points, which included five in the first quarter, four in the second, 11 in the third and 10 in the fourth. Bartlett nailed two 3-pointers and both foul shots.
He had help from Chris Kelley with 18 points, while Tanner Veilleux added six; Chase Sanders, four; James Ritter, three; and Steve Friel, K.J. Payson and Zeb Leppanen, two; and Cole Martin, one.
The visitors made 6-of-9 free throws (67 percent) and Kelley chipped in two trifectas.
For SDHS, Josh Wright tallied 17 points, including connecting on four 3-pointers, while Chase Brassbridge added 12. Also for the hosts, Cody Reynolds, Tim Smith and Gabe Kneeland added four points and Elias Higgins two.
The Vikings made 3-of-8 foul shots (38 percent) and Brassbridge also netted two fourth-quarter treys.
Viking Gage Ellis was involved in a hard, multi-player fall to the court at one point, but shook off what appeared an arm injury, showed his toughness, and saw additional playing time during the contest.