Central Aroostook girls defend regional title with narrow win over Woodland

Defending Class D North champions hold off late rally to advance to semifinals

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The defending Class D North champion Central Aroostook High School girls basketball team fought off a late rally by Woodland to earn a 39-36 victory in the regional quarterfinals. Senior guard Harleigh Allen and junior guard Lilly Burtt, the tournament MVP last year, each scored 12 points to lead the Panthers. Woodland senior guard Karleigh Smith, the school's all-time leading scorer, had 14 points in the loss.

Why it matters

Central Aroostook is looking to return to the Class D North championship game after winning the title last year. However, the Panthers face a tougher path this season with several teams that were previously in Class C now reclassified to Class D. Woodland, led by 1,000-point scorer Smith, put up a strong fight and showed the Panthers will have to earn their way back to the regional final.

The details

Central Aroostook built a lead in the fourth quarter, but Woodland went on an 8-0 run to pull within 32-30 with three minutes left. A 3-pointer by Allen and a layup by Burtt helped the Panthers hold off the late rally. Central Aroostook's full-court 1-3-1 trap defense forced 32 Woodland turnovers, which helped offset the Panthers' own offensive struggles as they shot just 27.1% from the floor.

  • Central Aroostook defeated Woodland 39-36 in the Class D North regional quarterfinal on February 14, 2026.

The players

Harleigh Allen

A senior guard for Central Aroostook High School who scored 12 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and had 3 steals, 2 assists and 2 blocks in the win.

Lilly Burtt

A junior guard for Central Aroostook High School who was the tournament MVP last year. She scored 12 points, had 9 rebounds, 8 steals and 4 assists in the victory.

Karleigh Smith

A senior guard for Woodland High School who is the school's all-time leading scorer with over 1,400 points. She led Woodland with 14 points in the loss.

Mishun Cornelius

A 5-foot-11 center for Woodland High School who had 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocked shots, 3 steals and an assist in the game.

Cody Tompkins

The head coach of the Central Aroostook High School girls basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“It's definitely a hard title to hold.”

— Harleigh Allen, Senior guard, Central Aroostook High School (Bangor Daily News)

“I'm just trying to have my best games so we can have as good a run as last year. I want to be there for my team.”

— Lilly Burtt, Junior guard, Central Aroostook High School (Bangor Daily News)

“Our defense is really good. We had some good steals and we tried to stay disciplined.”

— Lilly Burtt, Junior guard, Central Aroostook High School (Bangor Daily News)

“We have a team that never quits, never dies, never gives up.”

— Mark Hornbrook, Head coach, Woodland High School (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

Central Aroostook will face Machias in the Class D North semifinals on Wednesday, February 19th at 10 a.m.

The takeaway

Despite the challenges of defending a regional championship, Central Aroostook's experienced backcourt duo of Harleigh Allen and Lilly Burtt helped the Panthers grind out a tough win over a scrappy Woodland team. The Panthers will need to continue relying on their stifling defense as they look to return to the Class D North final in a reclassified landscape.