Rangeley’s Brooke Egan takes the ball down the court as Hebron Academy’s Franceska Halloran plays defense during Friday night’s basketball game in Hebron. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)
HEBRON — A second-quarter shift in momentum propelled Rangeley to a 45-36 girls’ basketball victory over Hebron on Friday night.
After Hebron led16-10 and the end of the first quarter, Rangeley charged back behind the play of Olivia Pye, who scored 10 in the second period, to take the lead late in the first half.
Hebron’s Allyson Welsh scored eight points on four layups in the first quarter to help grow the Lumberjacks’ six-point lead. However, with 3:33 left in the half, Welsh committed her third foul, moments after fellow starter Reily New did the same. That left Hebron vulnerable inside, and Pye took advantage.
“We didn’t have the extra passes on offense that we can get and the shots just weren’t falling,” Griggs said. “In the first half we got ourselves into foul trouble, and in the second half we couldn’t get the shots to fall.”
The Lumberacks scored only five points in the second quarter, and with Welsh and New out, the defense suffered as much as the offense.
In the second half, Rangeley (13-1) started to double-team Welsh in the paint and also effectively neutralize Hebron’s 1,000-point scorer Franceska Halloran.
On the other end of the court, the Lakers found offense in Lauren Eastlack and Winnie LaRochelle, who each scored six points in the third. LaRochelle hit two long jumpers and a layup to help her team take the lead.
“I find the gaps inside the paint, but it was a lot harder because they have those two tall girls,” LaRochelle said. “So I kind of stepped out, which made them decide if they wanted to stay in the paint or come out, and when she didn’t I made the shot.”
Lauren Eastlack scored a layup when she cut to the hoop and received a darting pass from Emily Eastlack. Lauren Eastlack then stole the ball off at half-court, drove to the hoop or a layup that beat the third-quarter buzzer, and Rangely went into the final frame up six points, 34-28.
“We started to hit the open man instead of forcing it, and that’s key for anybody,” Rangeley head coach Heidi Deery said. “We have to just stay confident and find the open man, and I thought we did a good job of that.”
Rangeley’s offense found its stride in the second half and the defense continued to shine.
“We were trying to stay fundamentally-sound and have confidence,” Deery said. “Our defense played well as a team and sometimes we have some great individual efforts out there, but we really need to stay focused on team defense.”
Hebron brought the game within four at 38-34 with four minutes left in the game, but didn’t score another basket until 10 seconds remained. Rangeley buckled down, caused turnovers and finished off its 13th win of the season thanks in part to LaRochelle’s clutch free throws as the game wound down.
When asked what was going through her mind at the free throw line to ice the game, LaRochelle calmly replied, “Nothing.”
Griggs expected Friday’s game to be tough and hopes the loss galvanizes the Lumberjacks (10-2) heading into the playoffs.
“That type of game is great for us going into the postseason,” Griggs said. “That intensity and atmosphere is what we expected against Rangeley, and we know moving forward we will have tougher games coming up.”
Pye led all scorers with 17 points, and LaRochelle finished with 13.
Halloran led Hebron with 13 points.
Hebron Academy’s Franceska Halloran and Rangeley’s Emily Eastlack scramble for a rebound at plays Friday night’s basketball game in Hebron. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)
Rangeley’s Emily Eastlack keeps her eye on the basket before setting up for her shot during Friday night’s basketball game in Hebron. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)
Hebron Academy’s Franceska Halloran pivots looking for a teammate while Rangeley’s Olivia Pye plays defense during Friday night’s basketball game in Hebron. (Sun Journal photo by Andree Kehn)
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