TURNER – If you were looking for the Grinch Tuesday evening, he was at Robert A. Mitchell Gym.

Senior Brian Wells led all scorers with 19 points and junior Ted Neil followed with 16 as Mt. Blue (3-1) completely shut down Leavitt, 54-31, in Class A KVAC basketball action.

What was just as important for the Cougars is what they took away from Leavitt.

“You need to credit Mt. Blue’s defense,” said Leavitt coach Mike Remillard. “Their hands are everywhere, they are very active, and they are very aggressive.”

Passing lanes, good looks at the basket, and the low post game all but disappeared for the Hornets from the opening tip.

“We tried to get a little inside-outside going,” said Remillard. “But it didn’t work.”

The Cougars took command immediately and led 11-2 midway through the first frame. While it was the Hornets (0-4) who were deliberately trying to go inside, it was Mt. Blue that was cashing in.

“We were very disappointed after the game last Friday night against Mt. Ararat,” said Mt. Blue coach James Bessey. “We came out very aggressive early (tonight). Our seniors and captains said we needed to come out and play defense like we do at Mt. Blue.”

With the low post taken away, Leavitt’s inexperience just created more problems. The Cougars led by 13 at the end of the first quarter.

With the exception of one basketball by Steve Wells to open the second quarter, it was all Brian Wells and Neil. The latter scored the team’s final nine points of the half to give the visitors a 32-14 lead at intermission.

“Boxing out was one of the big things we needed to work on,” said Brian Wells.

“They have good big guys,” added Neil. “Our scouting reports told us they get the boards real good offense and defense. We really focused on that.”

The Cougars continued to run and expand the lead into the fourth quarter.

“That is what we are trying to do,” said Brian Wells. “That’s the look we are looking for. That’s our game.”

Jonathan Pirruccello led the Hornets with 12 points. Jacob Witham followed with nine.

Steve Wells added nine as well for Mt. Blue.

“I thought we passed very well in the first half,” said Bessey. “In the second half, I thought we lost our focus a little bit, but we played well enough to finish it off.”

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