Machias Bulldogs Cruise Past Central Aroostook in Class D North Quarterfinal

Top-ranked Machias dominates second half to secure 71-46 victory and advance in boys basketball tournament

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The top-seeded Machias Bulldogs defeated No. 8 Central Aroostook 71-46 in the Class D North boys basketball quarterfinals on Monday. Machias led by just 1 point after the first quarter but pulled away in the second half with a balanced offensive attack led by 17 points from senior guard Liam O'Connor and 15 from junior guard Dallas Richardson. Machias senior center Landon Barrett said the team was motivated to make a statement after an early exit in last year's tournament.

Why it matters

The Bulldogs' convincing win over Central Aroostook establishes them as the team to beat in the Class D North regional tournament. As the top seed, Machias is looking to avenge last year's early playoff exit and make a deep run towards a state championship.

The details

Machias jumped out to an early 1-point lead after the first quarter, but the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half with a balanced scoring attack. In addition to O'Connor and Richardson's big games, senior center Landon Barrett chipped in 13 points. Machias' other co-captain, senior point guard Mickey Fitzsimmons, was held to just 5 points but contributed 7 assists and 6 rebounds.

  • The game was played on Monday, February 16, 2026 in Bangor, Maine.

The players

Liam O'Connor

A senior guard for the Machias Bulldogs who led the team with 17 points in the win.

Dallas Richardson

A junior guard for the Machias Bulldogs who scored 15 points in the victory.

Landon Barrett

A senior center and co-captain for the Machias Bulldogs who had 13 points in the game.

Mickey Fitzsimmons

The other co-captain for the Machias Bulldogs, a senior point guard who was held to 5 points but contributed 7 assists and 6 rebounds.

Chad Fitzsimmons

The head coach of the Machias Bulldogs.

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What they’re saying

“I've never won a game here in Bangor, so I think this could really get us rolling.”

— Landon Barrett, Senior center and co-captain (Bangor Daily News)

“They played good D. Just trying to dish it out to my teammates and get them involved. And they played great today.”

— Mickey Fitzsimmons, Senior point guard and co-captain (Bangor Daily News)

“I thought the first quarter, we had some nerves. We missed some easy shots that we usually make. Once we got up tempo and once got our rhythm, we started to hit some open shots.”

— Chad Fitzsimmons, Head coach (Bangor Daily News)

What’s next

The Machias Bulldogs will advance to the Class D North semifinals, where they will face the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between No. 4 Woodland and No. 5 Penobscot Valley.

The takeaway

Machias' balanced scoring attack and stifling defense proved too much for Central Aroostook in the quarterfinals. As the top seed, the Bulldogs have established themselves as the team to beat in the Class D North tournament as they look to avenge last year's early playoff exit and make a deep run towards a state championship.