NORTH YARMOUTH – Lindsay Henderson stepped to center court and gazed up at 6-foot-plus center Jaime Rogers.

Henderson looked to her Buckfield teammates to see if any others wanted the task of jumping against Rogers to start Wednesday’s game, but there were no takers.

That was the first sign that the height of North Yarmouth Academy might create some problems for undefeated Buckfield.

Sure enough, the Panthers size in the post and their scrappy zone defense gave the Bucks their first real test of the season. Buckfield still managed to pull away in the second half, though, for a 50-39 victory.

“I’d take 10 of these over 10 of the 66-11 games,” said Buckfield coach Troy Eastman. “In the end, we’re going to have to play games like this.”

The Bucks (8-0) have won by an average margin of 63.8 to 21. It has made for many easy nights and few challenges. Being tied at halftime against the Panthers was actually a welcome opportunity.

“Every game this year has been a killing, by like 30,” said junior Lindsay Henderson. “We needed it. We were sick of it. We wanted competition.”

Henderson led the Bucks with 16 points while Ashlee Hamann finished with 11, despite battling foul trouble. Abby Jones and Tristen Newton each had seven rebounds as the Bucks assumed control of the post in the second half.

Between NYA’s height and zone defense, the Bucks created few opportunities inside early. When shots weren’t falling and turnovers were prevalent in the second quarter, NYA (1-6) stayed close. The Panthers’ outside shooting led to a 19-19 game at the half. Kate Merrill had 13 for NYA, while Hillary Keach added 11.

“They didn’t panic,” said Buckfield co-coach Dan Jack. “I think that’s a big key to this team. They didn’t panic. We said at halftime, ‘You’re going to have to grind this one out.'”

In the third, the Bucks showed more intensity and determination. They got the ball inside and took it at the NYA size. A Newton rebound broke a 23-23 tie, and Emily Eastman followed with a fast break basket. After Lindsay Henderson scored inside on a feed from Newton, the Bucks had six straight points and a quick 29-23 edge.

“Every team we’ve played has been really short, and they haven’t scored as much as we do,” said Henderson. “We wanted to attack and try to run the clock down so we didn’t really have to shoot much.”

Late in the third, the Bucks spread the offense out. They forced NYA to pursue and open up the post. Buckfield ran that offense effectively. When the Bucks got NYA out of position, the Panthers fouled. After hitting seven of 19 free throws in the first three quarters, the Bucks hit 14-of-21, including five from a fresh Hamann in the fourth.

“I was impressed with being able to pull the ball out and make their zone extend,” said Eastman. “I don’t think we had a turnover when we did that. That’s really good ball control to handle that and make good decisions. Last year and the year before, those decisions weren’t being made. So it definitely shows maturity.”

Buckfield opened a double digit lead in the fourth, scoring its last 14 points from the free throw line.

“(NYA) played hard,” said Eastman. “They played aggressive. They’re young kids trying to prove that they can play. They play in a tough conference and see competition every night. I’m impressed. They were probably the best defense we’ve seen all year.”