BETHEL – Telstar’s run-and-gun style paid huge dividends Tuesday night when the Rebels utilized a ball-hawking defense for a convincing 47-26 victory over Old Orchard Beach in the Western Class C girls’ basketball prelims.
Telstar and Old Orchard Beach each entered with identical 12-6 records, but the Rebels’ fullcourt pressing defense forced numerous mistakes. The Seagulls never recovered.
No. 7 Telstar (13-6) will make a repeat trip to Augusta to play No. 2 Dirigo next Monday. The Rebels lost twice during the regular season.
“We really didn’t know what to expect,” Telstar forward Bailey Davis said. “The only thing we knew about was from the Internet. We knew they had a good scorer, but not many other threats, so we felt our difference would hold them.”
Bailey Davis led a balanced offensive attack with 11 points, four assists and two blocks. Josie Reiss and Liz Rosenberg each scored 10 points.
Telstar jumped ahead behind treys by sisters Chea and Bailey Davis. A Rosenberg jumper and a three-point play by Reiss made it 21-8 after one quarter.
“We executed our offense well,” Telstar coach Kelly Dole said. “We set the tone and created an up-tempo game, which led to some fast breaks. Even when their zone forced us into a halfcourt offense, we eventually figured it out.”
Telstar relied on a solid passing attack, which led to several high-percentage shots. Kelsey Dole (seven points) scored in the paint and Megan Smith and Lindsay Hart controlled the boards.
Telstar led 26-13 following a Dole trey, and extended it by 15 by halftime.
OOB was led by Kaylee Godan with 11 points and Courtney Rague who scored five points. The Seagulls shot |25 percent and committed 21 turnovers through three quarters.
“Our press forced mistakes,” coach Dole said. “The defense created offense.”
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