DIXFIELD — The Oak Hill girls’ basketball team has been working hard this season, and things haven’t always been easy. The senior leadership from Brianna Mulherin has been key, and she showed what she could do again Friday, scoring at the buzzer to end a 47-46 double-overtime thriller against Dirigo.
The game-winning possession was set up after Oak Hill received an out-of-bounds call with 6.6 seconds left. Following a timeout, the ball was inbounded to Mulherin on the right side. She dribbled through defenders, across the paint to the left side, and threw up a one-handed runner as the buzzer sounded.
“It was a total team effort,” Mulherin said. “I’m glad it was called at the end.”
Dirigo played with high energy and intensity, led by seniors Olivia Noyes (22 points) and Kaicey Conant. Oak Hill led by one when Madison Bennett (13 points) made the first of two free throws. The Cougars had gone ahead 46-45 on two free throws by Alexa Varnum with 47 seconds left.
”When we had the lead in OT, we wanted to delay,” Dirigo coach Rebecca Fletcher said. “When it was tied, we wanted to spread the floor and allow Olivia to create something. Olivia played a great game; it was her best by far this season.”
The game turned in to a battle of quarters, with Dirigo in charge early. The Cougars ran out to a 17-15 lead at the half. Noyes drained a 3-pointer and Sophia Jacques buried back-to-back treys for the hosts.
Oak Hill controlled the third on a 7-0 run by freshman Desirae Dumais, and led 30-24 after three quarters.
”Dirigo played with intensity and great defense, and didn’t allow us to get into a rhythm,” Oak Hill coach Michael Labonte said. ”We were able to get going in the second half. The kids played their hearts out, as did Dirigo.”
Dirigo tied it on free throws by Noyes and Varnum in fourth quarter. The teams only scored two points each in the first overtime, with missed shots being the story in that frame.
Sophomore Ashley Perrault put Dirigo ahead by scoring with 57 seconds left in the second overtime. The fast-paced game went back and forth.
The Cougars made 33 percent of their shots, and 8-of-16 free throws while committing 29 turnovers. Oak Hill shot 31 percent, was 14-of-28 from the line, and turned the ball over 25 times.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
