Lady Falcons turn tables on Cougars

RUMFORD -- Ayla Allen and Chrissy Briggs combined for 30 points as the Mountain Valley girls' basketball team extended the floor in a convincing 51-30 triumph against Dirigo at Puiia Gymnasium. It avenged a 39-38 loss at Dixfield last month.

Mountain Valley established control early and exercised patience to lead 22-9 at halftime. Makayla White (nine points) had a basket and two free throws.

“The defensive pressure was completely different,” said MV guard McKenzie Paterson. “That was not Falcon defense in the last game, but tonight we came to play. This is Mountain Valley and Dirigo, it doesn’t get any better. We had a 12-point lead last time and they came back, so we knew we couldn’t let up.”

The Falcons' main threat was Allen (16 points, nine rebounds), with a supporting cast. Baskets by Briggs (12 points) and Lindsay Gallant put the Falcons ahead 18-6 early in the second quarter.

“We didn’t take anything for granted this time,” said MV coach Rich Allen. “There were no lulls; the kids stuck with the game plan and executed it the entire game. This team showed how it's capable of playing.”

A 2-3 zone wouldn’t allow Dirigo to penetrate; basket by Angela Ronan and a Hannah Knight (eight points) free throw in the entire second quarter. Dirigo made three of 22 shots in the middle quarters and 10 of 50 in the game.

“We couldn’t put the ball in the ocean,” said Dirigo coach Reggie Weston. “It certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying, but every athlete experiences nights like this during their careers; you just need to forget about this game and move on.”

Allen scored three straight baskets to open the third quarter; the latter on a pass from Breana Roberts. Paige Murphy hit a jumper and Knight buried a three pointer, but on the ensuing possession, Allen drained a trey.

Dirigo was given a technical for having six players on the court, and Briggs made both free throws. Brooke Dolloff scored at the buzzer to give MV a 39-19 lead after three quarters.

“We used our height advantage,’’ said Allen. “Dirigo is smaller, so we used our size and went high low (with all) against them. We knew that we needed to go out and play and not let up.”

Alyssa Wade (eight points, six steals) played solid defense and Miranda Shurtleff returned after missing several games with a hand injury.

Lady Falcons turn tables on Cougars Photo:

Alyssa Wade of Dirigo wrestles the ball away from the grasp of Breana Roberts of Mountain Valley as Cougar Kayla Gaudin defends. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)

Lady Falcons turn tables on Cougars Photo:

Kaitlin Armstrong of Mountain Valley goes up for a jumper from the baseline. (Times photo by Bruce Farrin)