JAY – Taryn Flagg scored 10 points in the final quarter to lead Livermore Falls to a 50-42 girls’ basketball win over arch-rival Jay at the Tigerdome.
Livermore Falls (7-1) refused to be denyed and Flagg proved to be the play maker. The senior made three baskets and four three throws in the final four minutes.
Flagg finished with 19 points and was helped by Jenika Kelley, who had 11 rebounds.
“We came in here knowing we needed to do what we do best,” Flagg said. “That’s work hard for 32 minutes, and we are playing with confidence and believe in each other.”
Jay (5-3), who saw its three-game winning streak snapped, was led by Kaylie DeMillo, who scored a game high 26 points and added five steals.
DeMillo, a junior guard, was honored as Jay’s all-time leading scorer. The old mark was 1,015, held by Jane Hamel DiPompo.
Jay had closed to within 39-37 on a Morgan Turner layup, but that was close as it got.
Flagg scored on two consecutive possessions, then grabbed a defensive rebound and scored a jumper in the paint.
“Don’t lose.’ That was my strategy in the fourth quarter,” said Livermore falls coach Frank Donald. “We had to keep the ball out of DeMillo’s hand and take care of the ball.”
The Andies firced the tempo, but committed 21 turnovers. But they shot 66 percent in the final frame, while Jay missed 16 of 19 shots. The taller Andies were dominant on the boards.
The Andies’ Caryn Howell scored 10 points, and Rachel Ventrella added eight. Liz LeBlanc scored eight for the Tigers.
Jay trailed 29-18 in the third quarter, but roared back with an 11-0 run to tie. DeMillo drained a trey, Kelly Mastine and Turner each scored, and DeMillo scored off a steal. The Andies then scored six of the next seven points to lead 35-30 after three quarters.
“The kids were excited coming in,” Donald said. “But, they needed to be in control. This is a big rivalry and Jay will be worth a lot of Heal Points.”
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