Dirigo takes home finale, 74-50

DIXFIELD -- It was to be the final home game for the Dirigo boys' basketball team and the four seniors certainly proved once again to be up for the task.

The seniors, as if right on cue, left a huge mark, with Robbie Babb, TJ Frost, Chad Snowman and Hunter Ross each scoring in double figures as the Cougars cruised to a 74-50 win against Telstar at DeFoe Gymnasium.

Dirigo switched gears in the second quarter, scoring 23 of the 30 points to surge ahead by 39-18 lead at halftime. The seniors paved the way, led by Ross, who scored eight of his 10 points on high percentage shots. Following a Frost missed shot, Ross (seven assists) jumped in the lane and while still airborne, tipped the shot in.

“We needed to come right out with our intensity level up,” said Snowman, who drained a pair of three pointers in first half and finished with 11 points.

Dirigo had jumped out of the gate on fire, scoring the first 12 points of the game. The pressure defense forced Telstar to turn the ball over on its first four possessions.

“We used a lot of rotations,” said Dirigo coach Travis Magnusson, referring to the lull in offensive execution that allowed Telstar to trail 16-11 after the first quarter. “These seniors have been incredible, some might not have been here as freshmen, but as a group, after tonight, they have won 78 games. We are having a better season than a lot of people thought.’’

Magnusson also cited manager Jen Smith.

A three pointer by TJ Frost (12 points, seven assists) opened the third quarter, with baskets by Babb (15 points), Frost and Snowman, helping put a nail in the coffin.

Dirigo made 19 of 32 shots in the middle quarters and six of 15 from beyond the arc in the game. Kaine Hutchins and Tyler Frost made treys also.

Telstar was led by Mike DelDuca, who scored a majority of his game-high 22 points in the fourth quarter.

“This team is starting to peak at the right time,'' said Snowman, who returned from a knee injury. “Yes, it was frustrating having to sit on the sidelines. But my knee feels good now and I'm ready to go.''

The Cougars had seven turnovers through three quarts, compared to the Rebels' 24.