Mountain Valley’s defense puts a stop to Jay.
By Kevin Mills
Staff Writer

RUMFORD – As they get healthier and more seasoned, the Mountain Valley girls’ basketball team is starting to see a correlation in the win column.

After a slow start, hampered by illness and inexperience, the Falcons are picking up steam and Monday’s 44-34 win over Jay kept the success coming.

“We’re on a mission right now,” said Mountain Valley coach Greig Parr. “Confidence is growing. We’re looking forward to our next three games which are full of some very important Heal Points.”

The Falcons (8-7) were ranked eighth in the latest Western B Heal Points. Their recent run of three wins in the last four games should help bolster their standing significantly.

After a hard-fought loss to Dirigo Saturday, the Falcons made good in their efforts against Jay (11-4), ranked fourth in Western C.

“I think it made us a little more determined,” said Kristen Arsenault. “We know we have to get the W’s because our plan is to get back to Augusta. We’re really focused and working hard.” Arsenault led Mountain Valley with 22 points including three 3’s in the second quarter that helped turn a three-point lead into a 19-8 cushion at the half.

“Kristen really took the game over,” said Jay coach Chris Bessey. “She really wanted the ball in her hands. We had tried stopping her, even if the help side was aware that she was going to take the ball to the basket, there was no effort to try and slide over to stop her.”

Jen Arsenault added seven while Sasha Theriault chipped in six. Jay was led by Katie Mastine with 13 and Kaylie DeMillo with nine.

Jay’s offense struggled early, going 3-for-24 in the first half. When the Falcons got a run going in the second quarter, the Tigers couldn’t answer.

“They played great defense,” said Bessey. “When you’re allowed to hand check and play very aggressive, that’s the kind of defense you can play. We were held to eight points in the half. That’s a pretty good half for a defensive team. Granted we had some shots and missed some layups but still only allowing eight points at the half is pretty good.”

Arsenault helped spark the offense in the second quarter with her outside shooting. After Mastine had answered one 3 from Arsenault, Cerese Richardson scored in the paint and was followed by an Arsenault 3 that made it 14-6. Devon Allen then fed Theriault for a basket and 10-point lead. DeMillo ended a drought of over three minutes but Arsenault hit another 3 for a 19-8 lead.

“We just knew we really had to win this game,” said Arsenault. “So coach said we had to run our offense and have more patience. We were really focused on that as a team.”

Jay played a better defensive game in the third quarter in hopes of sparking a comeback, but Tiger turnovers and an inability to stop the Falcons’ offense kept Jay from closing the gap.

“We made a couple of runs and had a chance to get back in” said Bessey. “We’d turn the ball over or give up a second shot. We’d have a defensive letdown where they’d have an uncontested shot.”

Jay got as close as 33-27 late in the game on a Mastine 3, but every time Jay hit a shot, the Falcons answered. Allen hit a 3 and Jen Arsenault had a three-point play to bolster the lead again.

“We’re just really stressing the fundamentals,” said Parr. “We’re doing all the simple things that help win basketball games, like boxing out and squaring up. We’re not turning the ball over like we were and it is allowing us to execute our offense.”

Copy the Story Link