Falcons easily handle the Andies

LIVERMORE FALLS -- Cam Kaubris recorded a double-double 24 points, 10 rebounds and the Mountain Valley boy’s basketball team received a strong defensive effort to remain unbeaten with a 66-35 win against Livermore Falls.

Class B Mountain Valley (7-0) have traditionally started fast and this game was no exception. The Falcons drained five three pointers on seven of 17 shooting in the second quarter to open up a double-digit lead and led 31-16 at halftime.

“We just needed to keep pushing the ball up the court,” said Falcon guard Adam Volkernick. “Plus it really helped that we hit some big shots.”

Izaak Mills (15 points) and Jacob Theriault (14 points) had three and two treys, respectively. The Falcons had gone on a 16-4 run behind a pair of treys by Kaubris (six assists), Zach Radcliffe (three steals) and Theriault.

Mountain Valley entered the game fully anticipating a test, however, it never materialized.

“This is a big stretch for us,” said MV coach Rick White, who felt losing to Transit Tech (NY) helped the team refocus their attention to detail and maintaining composure.

“This was a very physical game and they let a lot go. I certainly have no qualms about the way Hanson Gorham (four points, five rebounds) played on defense because that’s the best he has looked,” he said.

Livermore Falls (3-4) was led by Mike Castonguay (16 points) and Mike Armstrong (13 points, 11 rebounds). The Andies rely on a strong inside game, but the defensive pressure forced 24 turnovers and prevented the Andies from executing its offense.

"We knew (Armstrong) was having a good season and we matched up well against him,” said Gorham, referring to Mills, Justin Carter and himself, who leaned heavily on Armstrong in the low post. “We needed to control the boards and it led to some easy shots.”

Both teams shot 39 percent and made seven of 13 from the charity stripe. The Falcons turned the ball over six times through three quarters.

The Falcons scored the first nine points of the third quarter on treys by Kaubris (two) and Mills.

The closest Livermore Falls came was on baskets by Mike Anctil and Armstrong to trail 10-8 at the end of the first quarter.

“We don’t want to run with them,” said Livermore Falls coach Travis Magnusson prior to the game.

“We’ll try to slow (tempo) down and pound the ball inside to Armstrong.”