Mapleton High School
Basketball
1900-1963
I hope you enjoy the history of high school basketball in Mapleton. The reason I began my research is that many people today do not even know that Mapleton had a high school since the consolidated with Presque Isle beginning with the 1963-64 school year. In the early years you will notice that there may not have been a team then in other years there was a team but they just played in Winter Carnivals. Mapleton High School was destroyed by fire approximately 1955, from that point on they attended school with the creation of split sessions. During those last eight years they practiced and played their games in the Presque Isle Armory and one year at the Cunningham Jr. High gym. Bob Johnston began coaching the “Bobcats” during the 1946-47 season , he coached for 17 years the last nine years Jerry Desmond was his assistant coach.
1922
In November of 1921 Mapleton had try-outs in the grange hall with Franklin S. Cunningham the principal acting as coach. The school joined with Washburn, Ashland and Fort Kent to form the Western Aroostook League. Mapleton went 2- 4 in the league and was 4 – 1 in non-league games accumulating a record of 6-5. MHS also had a girls team that year member were: Erma Pulcifur, Crystal Hughes, Elizabeth Fillmore, Marguerite Turner and Bessie Libby. The team had a record of 1 – 5.
1923
In November of 1922 tryouts were held in the Eureka Grange Hall. This was a completely new team as all of last years players graduated. Mapleton was 3- 4 in non-league games and 2-1 in league games. Incomplete.
1924
1925
1926
Had team but played only in Winter Carnival Tournament.
1927
Had team but played only in Winter Carnival Tournament.
1928
1929
Had team but played only in Winter Carnival Tournament.
1930
Had team but played only in Winter Carnival Tournament.
1931
No formal team
1932
1933
1934
The boy’s and girls utilized the newly completed Parish Hall for practices and games. Mr. Carter was the new coach. The boy’s team was inexperienced but had a rewarding year.
1935
1936
A Mr. Carroll was the new coach at Mapleton, games and practices continued to be at the Parish Hall. The school did not join the league this year as they could not afford equipment and expenses. The boy’s had a record of 1-6 playing teams like the PI Future Farmers, MHS faculty, Stockholm, and Ashland. The girls had a team as well and were coached by Mr. Kolouch.
1937
The gymnasium not being completed until after Christmas practices did not begin until January. The team was still coached by Mr. Carroll and they recorded a record of 3 – 13 and a league record of 3-5. The girls team had record of 3 – 5.
1938
Mr. Myers was the coach this year and Mapleton was back in the league. There league record was 2-8, non league 3-6 good for an overall record 5 - 14. The Mapleton girls had a successful season compiling a 15-5 record ( 8 – 4) non league and 7 – 1 in the league. They tied with Ashland for first place and lost a play-off game held in Presque Isle 16 to 15.
1939
This season the Mapleton boys tied with Ashland for second place in the Central League with a 5 – 3 record. In non-league games they were 0 – 10. The Mapleton girls were coached by Mr. Merrill and had a 6 – 2 record in the Aroostook Central League and were 8 – 3 overall.
1940
Mr. Merrill was the coach of the boys team this season. They began by losing three consecutive and then ran off 12 consecutive wins. They were the Aroostook Central League Champions and undefeated (8 – 0) in the League. They were 7-3 in non-league games and were 15 – 3 overall. In the County Tournament in Presque Isle they defeated Van Buren 47 – 36 and lost to Washburn 34 – 11.
1941
Coach Merrill had only two letterman returning in Guy Dudley and Dana Coffin. They were 3 – 5 in the Aroostook Central League and 5 – 7 overall. Guy Dudley and Dana Coffin led the team offensively scoring 111 and 91 points respectively.
1942
The new coach at Mapleton was Coach Webber, he had three returning letterman and twenty boys trying out for the team. They accumulated a record of 10 – 10 and were the Aroostook Central League Champions with a record of 6 - 2. They finished second in the small school tournament held in Presque Isle, they defeated Washburn in their opening game 35 – 31 and lost to A.C.I. 27 – 22 in the championship game.
1943
No info available, no County Tournament held.
1944
Mapleton had a regular season record of 3 – 3. Defeated Aroostook Central League Champions during the regular season 28-27. No County Tournament was held
1945
Mapleton got off to a slow start but demonstrated marked improvement as the season progressed. With two games remaining in the season and in third place they had to win their last two games in order to have a chance to win the league title. They defeated Limestone 28 – 27 and Easton 27 – 22 to force a three way tie for the league title. Mapleton was asked to play-off with Easton for a chance to be represented in the small school tournament held in Presque Isle, they did so and came away with 28 – 24 win. They later played Limestone for and the league championship winning that game by a score of 27 -26. In the preliminary game of the tournament Mapleton defeated Madawaska 26 – 20. They then played Washburn in the championship game where they were defeated 25 – 23. Team members who contributed significantly to their success were Olin Condon, Omar Young, Ivan Porter, Philip Smith and Elwood Hand. Condon and Elwood made the All-Tournament Team while Porter was an honorable mention.
1946
This season Mapleton was plagued by injuries and was still able to post a 10 – 10 mark. They had a chance to play-off to get into the County Tournament but lost a tight game to A.C.I. 41 – 39 in overtime. In that game Ivan Porter led the way with 17 points, Roy Ireland added 15. For the season Porter scored 251 points, Omar Young 206 and Roy Ireland 153. Mr. Carter had returned to coach the team this season.
1947
Mapleton was known as the Raiders and were coached by Bob Johnston of Easton. Mapleton had a very good ball club this season, after the Christmas break they won 9 of 12 games including a win over Caribou 48-18. They lost only one league game this season and that was to Limestone 45 – 36. They had an even greater loss when one of their starting guards, Dick Baird, had an appendectomy and was unable to play in the Easton game and the County tournament. On Feb. 14 they defeated Easton 31-21 and were declared League Champs. In the Small School tournament held in Presque Isle they lost to Limestone in the second round 33-25, in the consolation game they defeated Oakfield 33-27. Roy Ireland led the team in scoring with 357 points, Dale Carter added 149, Weldon McPherson 147 and Don Lovely 133. Their regular season record was 12-7 and League record of 7 – 1.
1948
Mapleton had one of the best records in school history finishing the regular season with a 12 – 4. They had a chance to win the league out-right with a win over Easton in their final game but lost creating a three way tie with Easton and Limestone. Limestone received a bye and Mapleton played Easton in the first play-off game coming away with a win 48 – 47. They then played Limestone defeating them 46-41 to win the League championship. In the opening round of the County tournament Mapleton lost to Easton 37 – 24. Offensively the team was led by Dale Carter with 344 points, Sterling Bagley 222, Earlan Braley 222, Richard Baird 126 and Elwood Dean 122.\
1949
This year Mapleton produced its first Aroostook County Championship in its history. The Maroon Raiders were coached by Bob Johnston. They were the first team from Mapleton to participate in the Eastern Maine Class M Tournament. They won 17 of 26 games. The Aroostook Central League ended in a tie with Easton and it was decided to leave it as co-champions. In the Aroostook County Tournament Mapleton defeated Limestone 55-36, in the semi-finals they defeated Washburn 41-31 and in the Championship game against a strong Oakfield team they emerged victorious 34-31. They were selected along with Easton to participate in the Eastern Maine Class M Tournament. They were paired up with Easton in the quarter final and played one of their worst games losing 41 – 28. Mapleton had four players selected to the Aroostook Class M School All Star team; First Team: Earlan Braley and Elwood Dean ; Second team: Vernon Lovely and Gerald Carter. Braley led the team in scoring with 339 points, Wendell Tompkins 333, Elwood Dean 222 and Vernon Lovely 219.
1950
After a slow start to the season Mapleton finished strong and won the Aroostook Central League. Their overall record was 10-10. They played A.C.I. in the Medium-Small school tournament and took a loss by the score of 48-37. Scoring leaders for Mapleton were Vernon Lovely with 353, Mac Higgins 224, Winston Bagley 163 and Mac Brown 136.
1951
This year Mapleton was known as the “Bobcats”. The had only one returning veteran returning but put together a respectable season completing the regular season with a 15 – 3 mark. The played in the County M Tournament and lost a heartbreaker to Hodgdon 57 – 56. Mac Higgins led the team in scoring with 360 points, he was followed by Norris Braley with 244, Jerry Tompkins 158 and Darrell Chandler 120.
1952
Mapleton posted a 12-9 record this season, their biggest win was their opening game at Washburn when they defeated the Beavers 64 – 55. They lost five games by 5 points or less. They lost their opening game in the County Small School Tournament to Easton 54 – 53. Offensively the Bobcats were led by Norris Braley with 348 points, Darrell Chandler 255, Wayne Hughes 199, Richard Dunn 163 and Jerry Tompkins with 156.
1953
The “Bobcats” compiled a 10 – 8 record. At the County Tournament they defeated A.C.I. in their opening game 56 – 53 and lost to Ricker in the final 51-48. Offensively Bill Longley led the team in scoring with 229 points, Wayne Hughes also added 229 and Gerald Tompkins 202.
1954
The Basketball team compiled at 10-6 record and qualified for the County Tournament. They opened the tournament with a win over Limestone but then lost to Washburn in the final. Dale McHatten led Mapleton in scoring with 360 points, Richard Dunn added 228, Al Watt 123, and Floyd Higgins 105.
1955
This was a disappointing year for Mapleton as they finished the season with a 4 – 15 record. Two of their wins were over large schools Madawaska and Van Buren. They averaged 60 points per game and were invited to the Aroostook Medium School Tournament where the played Ricker losing the game 68 – 49. Dana Dow had 379 points for the season, Ken Longley 262, Earl Pendexter 162 and Galen Morrison 128.
1956
In mid January Mapleton High School was destroyed by fire. Arrangements were made for split sessions at the elementary school with the grades 1-6 attending school from 7:45 to noon, grades 7 -12 attended classes from 12:15 – 4:30 p.m. The athletic program continued as the use of the Presque Isle Armory, Washburn and Ashland high schools gymnasiums were offered which enabled the basketball teams to continue their season. Mapleton was selected to play Limestone in the opening round of the County M Tournament and defeated the Eagles 79 – 53 allowing to play Washburn in the Class M final with the Beavers defeating the Bobcats 65 – 64.
1957
It was a disappointing season ending with a 3 – 14 record probably as a result of having no gym to practice. In the County M Tournament Limestone defeated Mapleton 54 – 49. Don Waddell scored 210 points, Larry Dow 208, Gary Carter 111 and Skip Nadeau 109.
1958
Mapleton met pre-tourney favorite Washburn in the opening round of the County M Tournament and lost a thriller 58-57. The Beavers took a 33-26 lead at the half only to see Larry Dow and Marv Higgins lead the resurgent Bobcats back into the game and trail by one. Don Waddell had 22 points for Mapleton while Larry Dow added 19 and Marv Higgins 13. Waddell was an All County honorable mention selection
1959
This was a relatively successful season winning eight games and losing 10. The lost four games by two points and one by six. In the County M Tournament Mapleton lost to Washburn 84 – 65. Marvin Higgins led the team in scoring with 355 points and averaging 18.6ppg, Roger Stephenson 307 points and 16.2ppg, Victor Winslow 196 points and 10.2ppg, Raymond Harris 128 points and 6.7ppg.
1960
Again they had no gym to practice in which demonstrated how important practice time is as the team went 0 – 14. Buddy Gough led the team in scoring averaging 10.7ppg. In the Class M Sectional it was Sherman 45 Mapleton 32.
1961
A young Mapleton squad struggled throughout the season and finished with a 2 – 15 record. They did have a Class M Section tournament game with Sherman which they lost 64 - 40.
1962
In the semi-final round of the County M Tournament Mapleton was defeated by Sherman 57 -43. Could not find regular season and league records.
1963
This was the year that marked the end of Mapleton High School as they concluded their season with a game at Perth N.B. It also ended the 17 year tenure of Bob Johnston as the coach. During that time they won five Aroostook Central League Championships and one County M & S Championship. This season was rather disappointing ending with a 3 – 13 record and finishing in 25th in the Class M Heal Point ratings.
1921 – Mapleton Girls Basketball Team – Dr. Frank Cunningham was the coach
