RUMFORD – Wiscassett apparently found Mountain Valley’s new attitude overwhelming in Friday night’s girls’ basketball opener.

Junior Vanessa Cayer sparked a 13-0 run and scored 11 of her game-high 17 points in the first half as the Falcons relied on a ball-hawking defense in a 56-18 win against Wiscasset in a season-opening game at Puiia Gymnasium.

Mountain Valley is hoping to take advantage of its height with senior center Christine Volkenick and junior forwards Cayer and Taylor Smith.

Cayer was instrumental in a 13-0 run in the first quarter. The score had been tied 2-2 90 seconds into the game.

“We played as a team,” Cayer said. “There was a lot more intensity out there. We were moving to the ball and making things happen.”

Meagan Maifeld (15 points) buried a trey to break the only tie, and the Falcons never looked back. Cayer made a trio of baskets in the paint, and Volkenick put back two baskets. Volkenick had 11 rebounds.

“The defensive work really showed,” Falcon coach Rich Allen said. “We outrebounded them and unlike last year the team continued to work hard. I expect a lot from Christine and Vanessa – they are two captains. The team executed well.”

Tanya Martin directed the offense and Lauren LePage added seven points. A LePage trey put the Falcons ahead, and they led 32-7 by halftime.

Wiscasset had arrived late because of a bomb scare at its school, and even a distraction in the stands couldn’t wake it up. Mary-Ellen True had six points

The Falcons believe they will be a factor in the Mountain Valley Conference with Shawnee Akers and significant contributions from sophomores Kate Thorne and Emily Knapp.

“We have been playing a lot of ball together,” Volkernick said. “AAU and fall ball and defense is what we work on. It’s the No. 1 thing.”

Mountain Valley shot 34 percent and had 11 turnovers in the game. They made five of 10 at the free-throw line. Wiscasset shot 18 percent and committed 24 turnovers.