Sports Desk

The Mountain Valley basketball teams are being assisted by a new hoop machine, Dr. Dish, which was purchased last spring by the Athletic Boosters. It has proven to be a good practice tool.

Athletic Director John Bernard, a former coach, can see the benefits.

This tool simulates the fast pace of game situations. Players get a lot of repetitions in a short period of time. The automatic shot success counter gives players an idea of the accuracy success they are having and allows for accurate goal setting.

The Dr. Dish is programmable to suit many needs. It rotates to pass the ball to different spots on the court, so players are constantly moving to those spots to receive the pass. Another benefit is that it only takes one player to operate, removing the need to find another player to rebound for you.

Falcon boys' coach Rick White is sold on the device because it has increased the players agility. The team shooting from beyond the arc is up 12 percent this season. Mountain Valley had missed its first 12 shots from beyond the arc in a game against Madison. In the second half, they eventually connected for six, by Jacob Theriault, Izaak Mills, Zach Radcliffe and Cam Kaubris.

Former Dirigo standout Trevis Knapp admitted a return to DeFoe Gymnasium last week was strange because the Mount Abram basketball coach was a marked man.

“It’s certainly different,” said Knapp, who is a 2005 Dirigo graduate. “I have butter flies like when I used to compete.”

The Roadrunners wished Knapp could have stepped on the deadwood after being crushed 75-12 by the Cougars. Knapp, who recently graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in Political Science and Economics, is in his first-ever coaching job.

“I’ve learned to be patient,” said Knapp, who was helped during practices by younger brother Colby who was between college semesters. “We knew the wins (1-8) wouldn’t be there this season, but the kids are improving and that’s all I can ask for.”

The Dirigo boys' basketball team won in the face of adversity at Jay 56-49.

Junior Ben Holmes led the way with a double-double, 16 points (10-12 from the foul line), 12 rebounds, four assists. Arik Fenstermacher added 13 points and seven rebounds, Josh Turbide scored 10. Cody St. Germain (sprained ankle) suited up, but did not play in two games last week.

The Mountain Valley and Dirigo cheerleaders competed in the MVC championships at Jay HS, last Saturday. The Falcons were the favorites to win for their 10th straight year.

The ski team waited on pins and needles for the snow and then had to wait a day because the snowstorm forced school to be cancelled last Wednesday. The Falcons Nordic team best Telstar, with six skiers finishing in the top 10.

The Falcons and Cougars both competed in the Hornet Classic at Leavitt. Nick Woods of MV and Sawyer Smith of Dirigo were its teams highest finishes in the boys' three-mile race. Sam Glover and Hannah LaPointe paced the Falcon girls.

Dirigo senior Jeff Colpitts suffered a broken collar bone last week.