DIXFIELD – A wake-up call was necessary and the Dirigo boys’ basketball team responded on Wednesday.
The Cougars broke open a tight contest with a huge run, engineered by Erik Kersey and Adam Law, to end the third quarter, and went on for a 77-51 win over Madison at Defoe Gymnasium.
Spencer Berry scored a team-high 20 points and had four assists to lead the Dirigo offense.
Dirigo (12-1) is ranked No. 2 in Class C and Madison (2-12) was hoping to earn some valuable Heal Points.
“We were winning but there was no energy,” Dirigo senior Chris Richards said. “In the locker room at halftime, coach (Gavin Kane) spoke about picking up our intensity level and the captains (Josh Daley, Berry and myself) talked to the team and we came out all set. It led to our big third quarter.”
Madison had pulled to within nine points behind sharpshooter Tom Steuber, who scored a game-high 27 points, including six three-pointers. The guard was a thorn in the Cougars’ side throughout the game.
Dirigo scored 15 of the final 18 points to take a 57-36 lead after three quarters. Kersey had a pair of baskets and Law scored six of his eight points. Earlier in the third quarter, Berry had scored nine unanswered points to put the Cougars up 42-28. The Cougars utilized their trapping defense and height advantage to dominate in the paint.
Richards, Colby Knapp (11 points, eight rebounds, six assist), Mike Holmquist (eight points, six rebounds, seven assists) and Josh Daley added five assists.
“We wanted to attack the middle an drive on them,” Madison coach Jim Litsze said. “We needed a couple of taller players, rebounding was our weakness. Still, I was pleased by our effort. Dirigo has a good club.”
In the second half, Dirigo shot 58 percent from the floor.
“Confidence definitely helps,” Richards said. “Our coach wants perfection, so the team tries doing everything right and that’s nice to have.”<.000>
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