By Kevin Mills,Staff Writer

They aren’t exactly twin towers. They only tower so much, and they act alike more than they look alike.

Yet, Holly Knight (5-foot-11) and Michelle Holmquist (5-9) have been integral components to unbeaten Dirigo’s post game and will play large roles in Friday’s Class C state championship game against Dexter (21-0). Knight and Holmquist will be the “David” to the Goliath challenge of playing against Dexter’s six-foot Ames sisters.

“They’re really tall,” said Knight. “We haven’t played against anybody with that height all season. It’s going to be a challenge.”

Ashley Ames, a senior center, is listed at 6-foot-4. Her younger sister, Mallory, is a 6-foot-6 sophomore in the post.

“It’s kind of scary because they’re really tall,” said Holmquist. “I’m not that tall of a post player. It’s difficult for me because I don’t have the height. It’s going to be hard.”

It may be a tall order for the two junior forwards, but the work of Knight and Holmquist might be critical to the Cougars’ success Friday at Bangor Auditorium. The two combined for just eight points in last year’s 50-31 loss to the Tigers.

“Not only defensively are they going to play a big role for us, but it’s going to be very important for them to contribute on the offensive end with some of the ideas we have to attack the Ames girls,” said Dirigo coach Gavin Kane.

The two Cougar post players are coming off a Western C championship win over Hall-Dale in which Knight and Holmquist had to deal with two six-foot forwards in Caitlyn Laflin and Chelsey Dionne. Those two combined for just 24 points.

“I think last week helped out a lot,” said Knight. “They were both six feet. So playing against them is going to give us more experience.”

Against the Ames girls’, Knight and Holmquist might have to show a little more of their game. They’ll certainly have to be physical but an ability to pass, dribble and maneuver around the less mobile Tiger post players might be needed.

“They both have made tremendous progress, even from a year ago,” said Kane, who also has sophomore forward Shannon Daley coming off the bench. “They stepped in as sophomores and played big roles for us. They’ve both improved their games and been very key in our success this year.”

Holmquist was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 12 points and seven rebounds, and was a first team MVC all-star.

“I actually felt even last year that Michelle has the potential and the ability to be a standout player in the conference,” said Kane. “She has a great deal of natural ability. With her, it was a matter of pushing herself and having desire to want to play at a higher level. She’s starting to get there, and hopefully, she’s seen the rewards of her hard work.”

The 5-foot-9 Holmquist was a standout threat in the post during the Western tournament. Beside her strong defensive work against Laflin and her rebounding against the Bulldogs, she had 19 points in a semifinal win over Jay and had 13 against Telstar in the quarterfinals. She even dropped a jumper from the corner against Hall-Dale, a shot she’s been working on all year but hasn’t had much opportunity to use it.

“I have more confidence going to the hoop,” said Holmquist. “I’m not as scared going against more people.”

The 5-foot-11 Knight was the third-leading scorer on the club, chipping in an average of 8.3 points and six rebounds. That was after a slow start in which she was hampered by ankle injuries.

“She has really played well for us the second half of the year,” said Kane. “One thing that’s been very important for us offensively is that she’s been able to hit that shot from the elbow.”

Over the last nine games of the regular season, Knight scored in double figures in eight of those games. She’s been a solid defensive player and rebounder. When she’s an offensive force, she makes Dirigo that much more difficult to defend.

“I think I’ve improved a little,” said Knight. “I’m more confident shooting outside now and getting the ball inside. I started to get more confident in the second part of the season.”

The two are free spirits who have been playing together since middle school. They are linked together just as often off the court. They’ll admit that they talk constantly, but when the discussion is about basketball, both certainly understand each other’s role.

“I always have Holly to tell me if I’m doing alright, and I tell her she’s doing alright,” said Holmquist. “We have each other to pick ourselves up.”

Though both have made significant strides this season, the best still may be to come.

“They both had outstanding junior years, and I know they want to finish it off in great style,” said Kane. “Those two are going to be leaders a year from now. So I hope they’ll want to be able to step their games up another level.”