Mountain Valley’s Brooke Carver looks for a teammate to pass the ball to while Oak Hill’s Desirae Dumais plays defense during Friday night’s game in Rumford. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
RUMFORD — Oak Hill’s defense clamped down and its free throws went in as the Raiders defeated Mountain Valley, 39-27, in MVC girls’ basketball action Friday.
“Just a gritty game. We’re a gritty team,” Oak Hill coach Mike Labonte said.
The Raiders held the Falcons scoreless for almost five minutes to start the game, but Avery Sevigny hit a 3-pointer for Mountain Valley, and Rylee Sevigny converted an and-one after a steal to make it 7-6.
Oak Hill’s second run, though, was too much for Mountain Valley to overcome. The Raiders scored eight straight points in the second quarter to turn a 16-13 advantage into a 24-13 cushion. During that run, Abby Nadeau scored six of her 10 points.
Saydie Garbarini ended Mountain Valley’s drought with a free throw with 1:12 left in quarter. Oak Hill’s halftime lead was only 10 points, 24-14, and an entire half still remained, but the Falcons’ offense was too grounded and mount a serious comeback.
“Oak Hill’s extremely well-coached, very disciplined,” Mountain Valley coach Ryan Casey said. “Their length gave us some challenges. We’re a little small, we rely on the jump shot, the dribble-drive, and when you have length and some disciplined defenders, it’s hard to find your offensive rhythm.”
The Falcons actually held the Raiders without a field goal in the third quarter. Mountain Valley only made one field goal of its own — a 3-pointer by Brooke Carver with about 1:20 remaining in the period – but the Falcons were able to cut the lead in half, down to 25-21.
“I thought our first half, we were soft in our passing lanes. I felt like we didn’t do a good job helping and recovering,” Casey said. “Second half, definitely did a better job.”
The Raiders got back on track in the final period, building the lead as high as 12 before the Falcons made their last stand with 3-pointers by Kierstyn Lyon and Carver to make it 33-27 with 2:42 remaining in the game.
But a bucket by Sadie Waterman made it 35-27 and Desirae Dumais sealed the win.
“I think the difference was maybe just a little bit more composure at the end,” Labonte said. “Kids are just battling hard — both teams battled hard.”
Six of Dumais’ game-high 18 points game at the line, and the Raiders made 11 of their 12 foul shots.
“Lately we haven’t been doing too good (at the free-throw line), but in practice we’ve been practicing them more, and we’re just getting better and better,” Dumais said.
Carver led Mountain Valley with seven points.
Mountain Valley’s Rylee Sevigny drives to the basket as Oak Hill’s Abigail Nadeau tries to block her during Friday night’s game in Rumford. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
Oak Hill’s Kaitlyn Ridley looks for a teammate as Mountain Valley’s Alyvia Lee tries to get in on the play during Friday night’s game in Rumford. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
Oak Hill’s Audrey Bauer drives towards the basket as Mountain Valley’s Avery Sevigny plays defense during Friday night’s game in Rumford. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
Oak Hill’s Desirae Dumais bounce passes the ball as Mountain Valley’s Brooke Carver plays defense during Friday night’s game in Rumford. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
Oak Hill’s Audrey Bauer up for a lay up as Mountain Valley’s Rylee Sevigny plays defense during Friday night’s game in Rumford. (Andree Kehn/Sun Journal)
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