Strong early start for Cougar boys

DIXFIELD -- Even though it's still early, the Dirigo boys' basketball team proved once again it was up to the task again in a Mountain Valley Conference game.

TJ Frost recorded a triple-double with 12 points, 12 assists and 11 steals, while Riley Robinson and Robbie Babb scored 23 and 22 points, respectively, as Dirigo pulled together early and often for a 75-43 win against Carrabec at DeFoe Gymnasium.

Dirigo remained unbeaten after playing on back-to-back nights, including running past Madison 64-47 on the road.

The game with Carrabec had been moved to Saturday in lieu of the impending snow storm. The Cougars left no doubt who was in control by applying pressure to lead 15-2 at the end of the first quarter.

“We played with energy,” said Dirigo coach Travis Magnusson, referring to the half-court trap. “But our focus was only there in spurts. We can't afford to let up. We've got to be ready to play 32 minutes.’’

Dirigo missed 12 of its first 14 shots, before draining three straight in the final minute of the first quarter. The smothering defense held the Cobras without a field goal on five shots and two free throws.

Carrabec switched gears and hit six of eight shots in the second quarter, including two three pointers by Troy Dunphy, who scored a team-high 21 points. The Cougars made nine of 25 shots, with treys by Frost and Robinson, but hurt themselves by making one of seven free throws.

"At Madison, we all played with intensity,” said TJ Frost. “Our goal is to keep turnovers under 10 a game.”

The Cougars committed 18 turnovers in the game, but Carrabec committed 19 of its 32 turnovers in first half. Dirigo led 36-21 at halftime and 52-32 after three quarters.

Babb, who had scored a game-high 18 points against Madison, shared in team rebounds with Robinson with nine each.

“Against Madison, we played with energy the entire game,” said Magnusson. “We stressed consistency.”

Dirigo played its entire bench, in striving to create depth. Also scoring was Kaine Hutchins with six points, Hunter Ross with four, and two each from Joe Casey, Gavin Arsenault and Clay Swett.

“We play hard and the results are what they are,” said Frost.

The cold outside filtered through the rims, as both teams struggled shooting from the floor- Dirigo 35 percent and Carrabec 32.