PORTLAND — Down 11 points at halftime to a team that seems incapable of missing 3-point shots can be a daunting task, but a Wells teams seeking its first trip to a regional final since 1984 didn’t mind another challenge. Owen Berry’s 15-foot jump shot from the right elbow with eight seconds left capped No. […]
Spruce Mountain
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And One: The future fares fairly well against the present
Mt. Blue head coach Fred Conlogue and his staff went into Thursday’s matchup against Spruce Mountain with a plan that might seem crazy, at least on paper. They decided to hand the responsibility of guarding Phoenix phenom Alex Bessey to a freshman, Lexi Mittelstadt. A freshman. Now, Bessey still scored 22 points, and the entire Mt. Blue lineup seemed to be keeping an eye on her, but Mittelstadt was […]
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Girls’ basketball: Alex Bessey a relentless, versatile force for Spruce Mountain
JAY — It wasn’t her best game, her coach admitted, but Alex Bessey still scored 22 points. Mt. Blue’s defense was physical and focused on slowing her, and she and her Spruce Mountain teammates were struggling — probably an understatement — to make shots, or even get decent looks. But Bessey still scored those 22 […]
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Boys’ basketball: Spruce overpowers Mt. Blue
JAY — Spruce Mountain senior guard Austin Darling always draws a crowd when he drives to the hoop. But when Darling couldn’t get to the net, he would send the ball out to the perimeter, allowing the Phoenix (13-3) to open up from the outside. Either way, Spruce found away to score and jettisoned Mt. […]
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Girls’ basketball: Mt. Blue wins brawl with Spruce Mountain, 40-29
JAY — It wasn’t pretty, but Mt. Blue defeated Spruce Mountain 40-29 in a KVAC girls’ basketball tilt Thursday evening. The Cougars pulled away from the Phoenix at the free-throw line, making 14 of 22 free throws in the fourth quarter. Mt. Blue made 11 of its first 14 at the line in the period […]
Posted inLivermore Falls Advertiser, Local Sports, Sports
Boys’ basketball: Maranacook upends Spruce Mountain
JAY — Spruce Mountain coach Scott Bessey knew the Phoenix’s 10-point lead didn’t guarantee a thing going into the fourth quarter against a run-and-gun team like Maranacook on Friday night. The Black Bears rallied back in the final period to beat Spruce, 60-53. The Phoenix had a spectacular third quarter, with senior guard Austin Darling […]
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Roundup: Lewiston girls edge Cheverus
LEWISTON — Junior forward Gabrielle Wilson netted nine points and hauled down 12 rebounds to lead Lewiston to a 43-41 victory over Cheverus in girls’ baksetball action Wednesday evening. The Blue Devils (6-7) held Cheverus to just three three-point field goals and came out strong in the third quarter with a 14-7 run. Junior forward […]
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Girls’ basketball: Hornets take the sting out of Phoenix
JAY — Leavitt’s shots started finding their mark early and Hornets coach Dave Gerrish’s grin turned into one giant smile by the end of the game. The Hornets (5-6) took a 29-17 lead at halftime thanks to solid rebounding and making choice shots outside the arc and inside the key. That winning combination on the […]
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Boys’ basketball: Spruce Mountain unloads on Leavitt
JAY — The Spruce Mountain Phoenix turned their eye-opening 3-point shooting into an art form, and then a spectacle. Spruce’s long-range ordinance fell like leaves from a tree during a cold Maine fall and had the entire gym looking up for three quarters. Spruce’s (9-1) outside shooting certainly helped deliver a 65-38 victory over Leavitt […]
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Boys’ basketball: Spruce Mountain survives Mt. Blue
FARMINGTON — Spruce Mountain coach Scott Bessey wanted more from his team Tuesday night. Yes, Bessey’s hard-charging Phoenix (8-1) shook off a determined Mt. Blue with a 56-48 victory that featured an all-out, free-for-all in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. But it could have been better. “They (Cougars) played really well,” Bessey said. […]