Buckfield knew playing unbeaten Richmond was an opportunity to get better, if not give them a scare. The Bobcats removed any hopes of the latter when they scored the game’s first 11 points, led 26-4 after one period, shut out Buckfield in the second quarter, and cruised to a 63-9 win.
Sydney Underhill-Tilton led the Bobcats (4-0) with 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Cassidy Harriman added 11 points. Four different scorers tallied two points apiece for the Bucks (1-2).
“We knew what we were going up against. I told them it was, if not the best team we were going to play, one of the best,” Buckfield coach Ryan Wilkins said. “I knew (Richmond) was going to press us and I wanted (them) to press us because I told (Richmond coach Mike Ladner), the only way we’re going to get better is to go up against that pressure.”
The Bucks (0-3) didn’t completely wilt under the pressure while committing nine turnovers in the first quarter and 15 in the first half. But it’s unlikely they’ll face a team with the size and athleticism the Bobcats possess. So the lessons learned from Richmond could come in handy against future opponents.
“Our kids a couple of times broke their pressure and did some nice things, but it’s just a matter of doing it consistently,” Wilkins said. “We don’t have a lot of experience. We really only have a couple of kids that have played a whole lot, so it’s kind of like Mike’s playing chess and my team’s playing checkers. You have to pitch a perfect game in order to be competitive and we’re just not at that point.”
Tilton scored 14 points in the first quarter, including 10 in a row as the Bobcats opened up a 21-2 lead.
“Tilton’s a horse inside. You can’t really stop her,” Wilkins said. “You have to step to help and a few times we did a nice job of that, but consistently it just isn’t there. They’re trying their best and they’re putting forth an effort. It’s just a matter of taking some things and applying them and that’s where they’re struggling right now. But that’s to be expected.”
After going scoreless in the second quarter, freshman Katy Henderson broke the Bucks’ drought with a bank shot from the wing midway through the third. Mackenzie Richardson added the Bucks’ other basket.
The Bobcats, who are accustomed to taking control of games from the opening minutes, took their foot off the pedal and focused on refining their halfcourt offense in the second half. Harriman led the way with nine of her 11 in the second hal.
“I’ve got three great seniors this year. They’re doing a good job of leading the younger kids by example,” Ladner said, referring to starters Harriman, MacKenzie Abbott, and Meranda Martin.
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