SOUTH PARIS – By the end of the summer, they could see the potential.

So even though the girls’ basketball team from Oxford Hills lost five starters and eight players overall, the Vikings had the kind of expectations not many others did. So while a 3-0 start may be surprising to some, it isn’t for the Vikings themselves.

“People thought we couldn’t do it, and it feels good to prove that we can,” said junior guard Annie Foster. “We all knew we could play well because we played well at the end of the summer. I think it’s a matter of getting back into the swing, and I think we’re finally getting there.”

Oxford Hills continued its strong start Thursday with a 42-24 win over Waterville. The Vikings broke open a tight game in the second quarter. Building off a solid defensive effort, Oxford Hills’ offense heated up and turned a two-point deficit into a 23-14 lead by halftime.

“People are playing with more confidence,” said sophomore guard Kelly Sunderland. “I think we find ways to pick ourselves up. We’re determined not to let things slip away.”

Sunderland and Foster each had a game-high 10 points. Kristina Bowden and Kelsea Pelletier each chipped in five as 10 different Vikings (3-0) scored. Alisha Champagne led Waterville (0-3) with seven points.

“There’s never been a go-to kid offensively on the floor,” said Oxford Hill coach Craig Jipson. “Last year, it was (Annie) Dyer and before that it was (Kyla) Decato and (Tiffany) Seams. These kids have never been the go-to kids. So somebody has to kind of establish themselves or we need to do a little better job of getting all five players involved offensively.”

The Vikings offense struggled early, going 2-for-12 in the first quarter and hitting just one of their first seven attempts in the second. Waterville built an 11-8 lead after one quarter and were up 12-10 early in the second when the Vikings found the range.

“We haven’t had practice for a couple of days because of the weather,” said Foster. “I think our shots were off. It took awhile to get our shots back.”

Foster started a 13-2 run with a 3-pointer to give the Vikings the lead. Sunderland followed with a drive, and Allison Fox scored on a leaner. After two free throws by Shannon Burns got Waterville to within 19-14, Kelsea Pelletier hit a free throw and a 3-pointer for a 23-14 lead at the half.

After finishing the second quarter by hitting five of their last eight, the shots kept falling in the third. Brianna Thompson fed Lauren Austin with a nice bounce pass for a hoop. Foster then put back a rebound for a 13-point lead. When Danae Plaisted scored with 3:06 left in the quarter, it broke a streak of nearly 12 minutes in which Waterville went without a field goal.

“Defensively, I’m thrilled,” said Jipson. “We gave up 24 points. The other night against Leavitt, they only scored four points in the last quarter.

“Defensively, we were second in the conference to Cony in points allowed. Unfortunately, we were 11th out of 13 teams in points scored. So defensively, we really got after it last year, and we haven’t given up 40 points this year.”

Waterville was held to three points in the second and four in the third as the Vikings had the lead up 34-18 by the fourth.

kmills@sunjournal.com

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