Early burst by Falcon girls leads to easy win

RUMFORD -- A dose of adversity helps a team grow stronger and the Mountain Valley girls' stepped it up for a 78-23 triumph against Telstar in a basketball game at Puiia Gymnasium.

Sophomore Brooke Dolloff scored a career-high 14 points as a trio reached double figures.

Mountain Valley needed a positive performance after the difficult loss to Dirigo, so Telstar proved to be a sacrificial lamb. The Falcons established control early and scored the first 20 points of the game; seven different players scored in the first quarter.

The Falcons received well balanced contributions from Ayla Allen game high 19 points, Chrissy Briggs (six points), Makayla White (trey), Lindsay Gallant and McKenzie Paterson (six points).

Mountain Valley switched up its defense, forced nine turnovers in the opening period.

“I’ve found using zone is necessary,” said MV coach Rich Allen, regarding developing depth and keeping fresh legs in the game. “Against a four-guard set, I’ve been having to keep players on the floor longer than I’d like to and they wear down. A zone mixes things up and while I haven’t always been a proponent of zone. I think we’ll be using it more in the second half of the season.”

Telstar’s Emma Davis hit three three pointers, however there was little resistance by the others. The Rebels revived their program after disbanding last season. The young team is taking its lumps in the MVC this season. A runner by Gallant put the Falcons up by 30 and they led 50-14 at halftime.

“We most definitely learn from a game like this,” said senior Breana Roberts, who opened the third quarter with two baskets. “Never play down to opponents' level of play.”

Mtn.Valley ran its half-court offense and Allen scored on a back side. Dolloff made a basket in the lane as MV led 68-18 after three quarters.

“We are becoming more comfortable playing a zone,” said White, who scored 11 points. “Each game is different, so you learn new things.”

MV stayed busy by rotating players in and out, including Darbi Brown, Abby Day, Katie Puiia and McKenzie Gallant.

Mountain Valley shot 49 percent from the floor and made one of its nine turnovers in the first half.

Telstar (17 percent shooting) made 24 turnovers.