Dirigo girls take control in second half

 DIXFIELD -- When the game is ongoing, there needs to be precise execution and everyone involved should be on the same page. The Dirigo girls' basketball team was able to capitalize when it counted.

What began extremely competitive score through the first quarter evolved in to a one-sided affair as the Lady Cougars turned the tide in a 57-34 triumph against Saint Dominics. The duo of Jessica Conant and Kelsey Hutchins led the offense with 22 and 20 points, respectively.

Prior to the doubleheader at Defoe Gymnasium, the boys' 2012 Class C state championship banner was unfurled.

Dirigo had exercised patience and found a flashing player more quickly resulting in seven of 11 shooting to open up a 28-16 lead at halftime. The Saints were hampered, missing two starters, suited-up eight players and relied on Kelly Pomerleau (19 points) as their lone offensive threat.

"My job on defense was to stick to Pomerleau," said Conant. "Our goal was not to shoot from outside, so we set up down low and scored from there. For the first half, Saint Doms adapted to missing two players well."

The Cougars were able to take control in the third period with multiple-crisp passing that led to high-percentage baskets. The score steadily increased with five field goals and four free throws for a 42-24 lead after the third quarter. Pomerleau was successful at getting to the basket, but SD had just four field goals.

"The team worked well together tonight," said Hutchins, before the game the team watched films of previous games to get fired up. "By the middle of the third period, our defense picked up and our transition did also. We used our height advantage and went inside well."

Kayla Gaudin had two baskets, while Gretchen Bradbury, Lyndy Crutchfield, Rachel Knight and Emma Leuders had one each. Alexis Dwinell had 10 points, but the rest of the Saints scored five points.

The Cougars shot 43 percent, made nine of 17 free throws and committed 22 turnovers in the game.

"We manned up on Pomerleau," said coach Reggie Weston, whose Cougars played Mount Abram last night. "Our transition game worked well in the second half. We also was able to get the ball down."