DIXFIELD – Experience paid off for the Jay boys basketball team, who pulled together down the stretch in a Class C preliminary-round tournament game at Defoe Gymnasium on Wednesday.
A balanced attack was a key as Jay had four players in double figures and Brad Loon scored the eventual winning basket with 1:38 remaining as the Tigers rallied for a 67-61 triumph against Dirigo.
No. 9 Jay advances to play a quarterfinal Monday against Hall-Dale at the Augusta Civic Center.
The senior-laden Tigers were led by Justin Wells with 15 points and eight rebounds and Loon, who finished with 13 points.
“We have seven seniors on this team,” Jay coach Frank Williams said. “When I looked in the huddle it was obvious that they didn’t want to lose. It was important for them to earn a trip back to Augusta. Dirigo only has one senior and they’ll be a good team, but our experience paid off.”
Dirigo (7-12) received a strong performance from Trevis Knapp, who scored a game high 30 points and hauled down 11 rebounds.
The Cougars seized the momentum behind a big 3-pointer by Gary Holman to take a 49-43 lead after three quarters
Jay tied the score at 59-59, following the last of four 3-pointers by Leigh Trask (12 points), who got free off designed screen plays for open shots.
“Those three pointers by Trask really hurt,” Dirigo coach Donnie Hebert said. “We had played well for three quarters, but we weren’t able to execute in the final four minutes. I think our inexperience showed.”
An inside basket by Shane Bourgault gave the Tigers the lead for good.
“We knew that defense would eventually win the game,” Wells said. “Dirigo had played a man-to-man defense and we were able to get the ball inside to create a few mismatches. Once I was able to penetrate early, it opened things up for some open shots.”
Jay shot 66 percent in the fourth quarter, but had left an opening by missing three of four free throws in the final minute. Ryan DiPompo (nine points) added a big basket.
Dirigo took a 46-36 lead after scoring 13 of the first 17 points in the third quarter. Knapp scored three baskets and Chris Richards made an underhand shot in the lane. The Cougars were running with Spenser Berry, Mike Holmquist and Josh Daley.
“We didn’t change things in the end,” Hebert said. “Jay had been in a 1-3-1 zone and we had been successful. In the end they were able to hit some big shots.”
Dirigo shot 72 percent from the floor in the first half and made 11 of 18 free throws in the game. The score was tied or changed sides 11 times in the first quarter.
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