RUMFORD – Applying constant defensive pressure has become second nature to the Mountain Valley boys’ basketball team.
The Falcons’ ball-hawking defense proved unstoppable, and the offense simply scored at will behind a game-high 23 points by Andy Shorey in the their 82-40 triumph over Lisbon on Wednesday night.
“We really played well inn the first half,” Falcons coach Dave Gerrish said. “In addition to shooting the ball well, we had some high percentage shots and shared the ball. That was nice to see.”
Mountain Valley (5-0) set the tone from the onset and then never looked back. A 17-point lead ballooned to a 48-18 lead at halftime as the Falcons made 13 of 16 shots, including two 3-pointers each by Shorey (11 rebounds) and DJ Gerrish (nine assists).
“All we’ve been working on in practice the past couple days has been defense,” Falcon guard Byron Glaus. “We put a lot of emphasis on it, and tonight was a lot of man-to-man. The team likes to run, and we want to be in shape.”
Lisbon (3-2) scored consecutive baskets by Evan Manocal (14 points) and 6-foot-6 center Brendan McGiveny to pull with in 27-10, but then the Falcons scored 11 of the next 13 points. Shorey drained two shots from beyond the top-of-the-key, Marcus Palmer and Glaus each scored on fastbreaks.
“We simply didn’t rebound tonight,” Lisbon coach Doug Sautter said. “Mountain Valley outplayed us and when the score was 19-4 after the first quarter, 15 of those resulted from second chances. It’s nearly impossible to come back on a team like this. “
Mountain Valley forced five turnovers and Jeremy Child scored two baskets. Travis Fergola (11 points) made a conventional three-point play and Glaus drained a trey.
Brett Archibald scored 12 and was a force in the paint as the Falcons led by 40 early in the fourth quarter.
Lisbon shot 31 percent and had 19 turnovers. Levi Ervin had 10 points.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well,” Sautter said. “After the first few misses, the rim got smaller.”
Mountain Valley distributed the ball really well and showed a great deal of poise and unselfishness. On one occasion, Palmer stole the ball and threw a bounce pass ahead to Child, who then fed Palmer for a layup.
The Falcons shot 63 percent from the floor and committed 12 turnovers.
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