Lisbon tops Monmouth for the Greyhounds’ first victory since 1998.
LISBON FALLS – It’s over. Finally.
Last time the Lisbon High School girls’ basketball program won a Mountain Valley Conference game, it coincided with the gigantic ice storm that crippled parts of Maine for much of January 1998.
Six subsequent seasons have been equally icy for the Greyhounds, but Lisbon heated up Friday night and melted away one of the longest losing streaks in Maine schoolgirl hoop history with a 36-29 triumph over Monmouth Academy.
Senior Krystal Doughty scored 23 points as Lisbon snapped a 115-game skid.
The victory is only the Greyhounds’ fifth since their last winning season in 1992-93.
“We came so close last year,” said Lisbon coach Jake Gentle, who took over the varsity program this season after coaching the JV team in 2002-03. “We had shots at the end of games that didn’t go in, or we got ahead and let it slip away.” Not this time, as Lisbon rallied from a 17-13 halftime deficit to snag a 26-22 lead at the end of the third period.
Then the Greyhounds used superior free throw shooting, with Gabrielle Mathieu (eight points) nailing six straight in the fourth quarter to put away the Mustangs.
“Credit Monmouth for a tough game. They fought hard, and it was close all the way,” Gentle said. “They struggled a little bit from the line, going 11-for-25, and that probably made the difference.”
Lisbon (1-14) dropped three tight games to Monmouth the last two seasons, including a 34-30 verdict on the road in December. The Greyhounds also pushed Livermore Falls to overtime last winter before watching the streak continue.
It is six years and one week since Lisbon’s last previous victory, a 41-35 decision over Telstar on Jan. 18, 1998.
Renee Brodeur scored nine points and Bianca Cloutier pitched in with seven for the Mustangs (2-13).
Lewiston 65, Lawrence 47
LEWISTON – Junior forward Kelsey Varney scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead unbeaten Lewiston to a 65-47 KVAC win over Lawrence.
Point guard Holly Noyes recorded a game-high 19 points for the Bulldogs (5-6), who led by a point at halftime. Jaime McGee chipped in 10.
The Blue Devils (9-0) turned up the defensive pressure in the third quarter. Amanda Bryant and Varney tallied five steals apiece and helped produce a series of quick second-half baskets. It was 44-39 at the end of three.
Bryant and Tracy Bradley each finished with 14 points.
Mt. Ararat 61, Edward Little 42
TOPSHAM – Erin Johnson poured in a game-high 25 points and hauled down eight rebounds to lead undefeated Mt. Ararat to a 61-42 KVAC win over Edward Little.
The Eagles led 34-12 at the half. Elaine Emerson added 10 points, including a pair of 3-pointers. Michelle Bernier and Kate Dargie combined for 18 points for EL.
Poland 42, St. Dom’s 34
POLAND – Mindy Thomas led Poland at both ends of the floor with 11 points and 10 steals as the Knights topped St. Dom’s 42-34 in the WMC.
Sarah Lefebvre added 10 points and 12 rebounds for Poland (2-11).
Misty Grant chipped in nine points for Poland, which led 10-6 at the end of one period and gradually extended the margin at the end of each eight minutes.
Abby Gilbert led the Saints (3-9) with 12 points.
Gray-NG 42, Falmouth 33
GRAY – Gray-New Gloucester held Falmouth to three points in the second quarter to take command of a 42-33 WMC victory.
The Patriots (12-1) trailed 16-10 at the end of the opening quarter, with Jill Jones and Bethany Graffam combining for 14 for the Yachtswomen (7-6). Christine Whittier’s defensive effort held Graffam (eight points) scoreless thereafter until two free throws late in the game.
Jones led Falmouth with 10. Josalee Danieli paced the Patriots with 14 points and 15 rebounds.
Dawn Ross added 13 points, and Whittier chipped in eight.
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