CORINTH– The Central Red Devils girls basketball team allowed eight points in the first quarter on Wednesday evening. The Red Devils only allowed eight points total in the final three quarters as they rolled to a 45-16 victory over Mattanawcook.
Central scored the first seven points of the game. Mattanawcook followed that with a 6-0 run. The Red Devils ended the first quarter with an 11-8 lead. Libby Cook scored six of her game high 16 points in the second quarter as Central built the lead to 22-10 at the half.
The Red Devils only allowed six points in the second half. Central forced 25 turnovers, while they out rebounded the Lynx 33-23. They scored 16 points in the fourth quarter.
“We really just picked it up on defense. In big games that is what is going to matter,”Central junior guard Sydney Allen said. “It kind of helped us pick up our offense. In practice every day we do at least three or four defensive drills.”
Central had three players that scored at least nine points, four players that had at least five rebounds, and four players who had at least two assists.
“That (balance) is what helps us win games,”Cook said. “Not just one or two, but everyone needs to contribute, whether it is defense or offense.”
Cook recorded seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. Emma Campbell filled up the stat sheet with 11 points, six steals, five rebounds, and four assists. Sydney Allen added nine points, seven rebounds, and four assists. Abi Allen put in five points (all in the first quarter),pulled down eight rebounds, and dished out four assists, Maija Overturf chipped in with four points.
Central (7-1) will play at the Cross Insurance Center on Friday night against John Bapst. The Red Devils will travel to Houlton on Monday for a showdown with the high-powered Shires. It will be a big two game stretch for the Red Devils who currently sit fifth in the Maine Principals’Assocation class B heal point standings. The Crusaders and Shires each have seven wins.
“We have some pretty big games coming up. We have John Bapst, that is going to be a tough game. We beat them once, we can’t ever look past a team. They can come back strong,”Sydney Allen said. “We have Houlton on Monday, which is a really big game for us.”
Courtney Gordon and Katie Tolman led the Lynx with six points each. Gordon also had four steals. Emily Tolman and Kim Voisine added two points each. Natalie Tilton pulled down eight rebounds. Mattanawcook (2-8) will host Old Town on Saturday.
