DIXFIELD – It certainly wasn’t a vintage performance, but the Dirigo girls’ basketball team proved Monday night that it can be resourceful.
The Cougars bent a little, but they didn’t break.
Michelle Holmquist scored a game-high 32 points as the Cougars featured their inside game in the 50-38 triumph against Telstar at DeFoe Gymnasium.
Dirigo (2-0), the defending Class C state champions, seemingly had an answer to any type of situation the Rebels tried. Holmquist made things happen on both ends of the court with nine rebounds and five steals.
“We tried (pounding) the offensive boards,” Holmquist said. “We had to play defense, but our intensity level was not as high as it was in our game (Saturday) against Monmouth.”
Dirigo used a man-to-man defense against the Rebels, which was effective at times. A basket by Megan Smith pulled Telstar to within six points with 3:30 left in the game. But the Rebels would get no closer, as Dirigo forced several turnovers down the stretch.
“A key was the inside play of Dirigo,” Telstar coach Kelly Dole said. “Especially Holmquist, but I felt my girls did a good job of helping each other on defense.”
Led by Holmquist, Dirigo jumped ahead 41-32. The Rebels had adjusted by keeping a defender behind Holmquist, but the senior wouldn’t be denied.
“We talked about giving Dirigo the outside shot in the fourth quarter,” Dole said. “Then we wanted to collapse on defense, but once again Holmquist was tough to handle.”
Telstar (1-1) relied on its balanced attack, led by Jillian Kimball, who scored nine points. Liz Rosenberg added seven points, while Kelsey Dole, Josie Reiss and Bailey Davis finished with six apiece. The Rebels shot 53 percent from the floor and committed 22 turnovers.
Katie Hutchinson had eight points and four assists for Dirigo. Abby Fenstermacher also had four assists.
The score was tied or changed sides seven times in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, a basket by Holly Knight gave the Cougars a 16-11 lead. A pair of baskets by Holmquist enabled Dirigo to build its lead to 27-19 by halftime.
Dirigo shot 39 percent from the floor and made 15 of 25 free throws. The Cougars turned the ball over 12 times.
“The strength of our team is our inside game with Holmquist, Knight and Shannon Daley,” Dirigo coach Gavin Kane said. “We didn’t have as much energy tonight, compared to our opener. I felt that we broke down defensively at times.”
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