DIXFIELD — There wasn’t any secret about what the Dirigo boys’ basketball team intended to do Thursday against rival Mountain Valley in an MVC matchup.

No matter what the Falcons tried to counteract the Cougars, Dirigo had all the answers following a fast start that had Mountain Valley reeling.

Dirigo used its pressure defense to notch a shutout in the first quarter and junior Riley Robinson sparked the offense by scoring a game-high 27 points as the Cougars ran away in a 69-32 win and a season sweep over Mountain Valley at a packed Defoe Gymnasium. Dirigo also defeated Mountain Valley 68-43 in the second game of the season.

The rematch was important for Mountain Valley (4-7), which entered the contest ranked eighth in Class C Heal Points. Dirigo (9-2) was third, and its objective was to keep winning as it prepares to host No.1 Winthrop on Monday.

Dirigo seemingly scored at will, with Gavin Arsenault (eight points) and Kaine Hutchins (10 points, six rebounds) each making two baskets and Robinson draining two 3-pointers. A long trey by freshman Cooper Chiasson (seven points at the buzzer gave the Cougars a 23-0 lead.

“The fast start was very important,” Dirigo point guard Tyler Frost, who had three assists, three steals and took two charges, said. “Especially in a rivalry game, where you can throw out the records. We came out with a lot of energy.”

Mountain Valley had to try to slow down the high-flying Cougars and the heavy load was the responsibility of the defense. The Falcons missed their nine shots — several rimmed out — and turned the ball over 11 times in the opening quarter.

Andrew Cote started the second quarter with a high percentage basket and Eduardo Esteban stole the ball on the ensuing possession and scored a driving layup. Tom Marshall drained a trey and Alex Ridley made four free throws.

“All of it,” Mountain Valley coach Tom Danylik said, referring to the Cougars pressure defense disrupting the Falcons execution. “We knew they were going to do it and we can’t control it. Then when they went to a zone, we couldn’t shoot from the outside. Coach (Travis) Magnusson does some nice things with it and has the kids moving.”

Dirigo center Clay Swett (nine points, six rebounds) made two baskets, Frost scored off a steal and Robinson (seven rebounds, six assists made four free throws, to give the Cougars a 43-17 lead at halftime.

“We didn’t maintain the (intensity) level that we had started out with,” Frost said. “That’s some thing we need to do through out the entire game. But we have younger guys like Cooper (Chiasson) taking a charge, last time he had received a technical for flopping.”

Dirigo scored the first three shots of the third quarter, including an Arsenault trey. “We didn’t some good things early on,” Magnusson said. “But, credit Mountain Valley for coming back and battling. They have played some good teams like Hall-Dale tough.”

Mountain Valley missed seven shots before scoring back-to-back baskets. Cote made a turnaround, with 1:41 left and Kyle Farrar put in an offensive rebound.

Brad Marshall led the Falcons with nine points and five rebounds.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Danylik said. “We have beat teams we was suppose to. But, tonight showed us that we need to work on defense because top to bottom (Mountain Valley Conference) is really tough and you need to come to play.”

The Cougars shot 44 percent from the floor, committed 17 turnovers and made 12 of 17 free throws.

Mountain Valley tried fighting back and cut the deficit a bit in the second half. Center Caleb Gavin  scored and Riley Flynn made two free throws. A runner by Jordan Parent and a Jordan Pilgrim put back helped trim the Dirigo cushion.

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