Recap of Falcon girls' basketball

RUMFORD -- The Mountain Valley girls' basketball team was put to the test and their efforts nearly paid off in a drive to reach the next step on the hardwood.

Mountain Valley recorded another double-digit (14-4) campaign, but the season ended abruptly in a Western Maine Class B quarterfinal game. The No. 5 Falcons certainly proved to be competitive, however, they fell shy in a three-point loss against No. 4 Greely.

It was the fifth straight year that Mountain Valley has lost a playoff game to the Rangers. This year, the team certainly had opportunities.

“The team ended on a high note even in the loss,” said MV coach Rich Allen. “They played their hearts out and never showed any quit and I was proud of the effort. I couldn't have asked for anything more from them."

The Falcons will graduate a trio of seniors in McKenzie Paterson, Breana Roberts and Lindsay Gallant. The backcourt of Gallant (five points per game, two assists per game) Paterson (five ppg, two apg) both provided unique contributions.

Paterson was a hard nosed defensive player with some range when the shots are going; vocal leader on the court.

Gallant was the floor general who directed everything on the offensive end. Roberts (three ppg, four rebounds per game) had a solid year, worked hard at both ends of the court and became a much stronger rebounder.

“We seem to always start slow,” said coach Allen. “It seems like we have a good summer and good pre-season but it may have more to do with the fact that we have started the last few seasons against Hall-Dale and Jay.”

MV lost three games in the first half and one in the second half. The team played better as the season progressed and was playing their best basketball at the end. A second win over Livermore Falls was key because Ayla Allen (17 ppg, 10 rpg) found that her three-point range could be a weapon. In the first 10 games, she had one three and had 12 in the last 8 games.

This range combined with Chrissy Briggs (six, three) and Makayla White (seven, four) will be an asset next year.

Additionally, Kaitlyn Armstrong slashing to the hoop and Brooke Dolloff's play underneath should be fun.

Coach Allen expects contributions next year from incoming juniors Darbi Brown, Abby Day and MaKenzie Gallant as well as incoming sophomores Katie Puiia and Jena Plourde.