JAY — What a difference one half of basketball can make.

After trailing 18-15 at the end of the first half, the Spruce Mountain Phoenix put the pedal to the metal in the second half to pull away from Madison and win their season opener 48-30 on Dec. 7.

The biggest difference, said Phoenix starting forward Emily Keene, was “energy; we came out with a lot more energy and were ready to go. We got our traps going and got some quick steals.”

After Vanese Barnes scored the season’s first two points for Spruce Mountain, Madison scored the next five points and led for the rest of the first half. Guards Kirsten Wood and Bronte Elias dictated play for the Bulldogs on offense. Turnovers hurt Spruce Mountain as well.

With Keene and center Samantha Richards leading the way, the Phoenix exploded in the third quarter. They went on a 22-3 run, with Keene’s perimeter shooting and Richards’ strong work in the paint keying the offense. Defensively, Spruce Mountain employed its 1-2-2 trap effectively, and extended its defense to three-quarters of the court.

Even with Alexandra Jarvais hitting a shot at the buzzer, the Phoenix led 37-24 after three quarters. Madison would get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way, and their frustration boiled over toward the end of the game with a technical foul after one of the Bulldog players argued a call.

Afterward, Phoenix coach Gavin Kane was happy with his squad’s second half defensive effort.

“I think we played much more aggressively on the defensive end and played with more composure in the second half,” he said. “The kids really just settled in and played their game.”

Kane was concerned about the number of Phoenix turnovers, though, as his team amassed 18 in the game.

“That’s a part of the game we need to improve on.”

Much of Spruce Mountain’s offense this season will come from their athletic, intense defense, said Kane.

“We don’t really have knock-down perimeter shooters, so we have to rely on our defense to create steals and scoring chances.”

Elias led the way for Madison with 10 points, while Wood added nine. Richards led the Phoenix with 14 points, while Keene had 12. Other Phoenix scorers were Vanese Barnes with seven, Alex Bessey with five, Nicole Hamblin with four, Kailee Newcomb with three, LaDesta Tracy with two, and Emily Hogan with one.

The day was extra special because the Phoenix girls’ and boys’ varsity and junior varsity teams all faced off against Madison in front of a sizeable crowd. The games were also significant because they were held to raise money for the American Cancer Society through “Coaches vs. Cancer”. Madison coach Al Veneziano and Coach Kane have battled the disease, and this is the third year Spruce Mountain has organized the event.

Raffles were held throughout the evening for prizes. During the national anthem before the girls’ varsity game, people who had suffered from cancer or who had a family member or friend who had battled the disease were invited onto the floor to stand together.

“It’s really cool, definitely special,” said Keene. “We won it for Coach.”

The Spruce Mountain boys won against Madison in convincing fashion. After falling behind by seven points early, the Phoenix’ speed and athleticism took over at both ends of the court and they pulled away for a 66-42 win.

Junior forward Deonte Ring and senior guard John McKenna provided 14 points apiece to pace Spruce Mountain. Derek LeBlanc tallied six field goals, including five three-pointers, for a game-high 17 points for Madison.

Nicole Hamblin, of Spruce Mountain, takes a jumper during the Phoenix home opener against Madison on Dec. 7.

The Phoenix’ Samantha Richards looks for help as a group of Madison players surround her.

Spruce Mountain’s Victoria Ouellette (right) guards a Madison player.

Kailee Newcomb (right) defends against Madison’s Kirsten Wood.

It was Coaches vs. Cancer night as the Spruce Mountain and Madison boys and girls basketball teams faced off on Dec. 7. Money raised from the games and raffles went to the American Cancer Society. People purchased ribbons in memory of someone lost to cancer or in recognition of someone who had survived the illness. They were displayed on a banner in the gym.

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