Massabesic’s McKenzy Ouellette works past a defender on Friday. ALEX SPONSELLER/ Journal Tribune
McKenzy Ouellette put on a show for Massabesic, putting up 16 points in the third quarter and 27 overall to help steer the Mustangs’ comeback.
“We had to come out really strong. Games like this never really happen for us, we’re Massabesic, but I thought we came out with great effort and were able to get the win,” said Ouellette after the game.
Massabesic coach Christopher Aube was impressed with Ouellette’s Friday night performance, and the impact she has made on the program throughout the season.
“She’s a great player and she can do it in a variety of ways. I think people overlook her ability to get into the paint and hit some runners and the in between game. She hit some big threes but she got herself going with the in between stuff. It didn’t surprise me,” said Aube.
The two clubs battled to a near stalemate in the first half, with neither gaining more than a 5-point lead. Biddeford’s Gracie Martin had a big first half by scoring 15 points and going 11-for-12 at the free throw line.
“She’s a load — we threw everything at her,” said Aube. “She is exceptionally crafty at drawing contact. She got to the line a lot and she deserved to get to the line a lot. She gets a lot thrown at her and she’s a tough kid, keeps her composure, I’m glad I don’t have to face her again this year.”
The Mustangs came out faster in the third quarter with Ouellette leading the way. Biddeford led 38-36 with just under four minutes remaining in the quarter, but Ouellette would score nine straight points to help give Massabesic the 45-38 lead heading into the final period.
“I just wanted to win the game. I just wanted to do it for the team. We wanted to spread the court, get open, find the open player. We didn’t want to rush shots at that point,” said Ouellette of Massabesic’s third quarter rally.
Massabesic dominated the fourth, outpacing Biddeford 17-3 thanks to a combined 13 points from Taylor Starbird and Madelyn Brassard to wrap up the win.
Starbird finished with eight points while Brassard scored nine and Emily Stinson seven. Martin finished the game with 25 points while Charli Yoho scored five.
Aube was pleased with his team’s performance on both ends of the floor in the second half, and felt that it was just a matter of time before the Mustangs would begin to click.
“We’ve struggled to score points, I think we’re capable of it and I thought that we were getting good looks. I thought Kenzy was getting good looks in the first half, and she’s not going to go through the whole game without knocking some of those down,” said Aube. “We were able to pressure and convert some of their turnovers into points.”
The Mustangs improve to 3-13 on the year while Biddeford drops to 4-12. The Mustangs remain on the outside looking into the playoff picture and with two games left, Aube hopes to see production throughout his roster.
“We’re trying to get in, we’ve played pretty good basketball. We have a few more games and if we continue to play well then we’ll see where we’re seeded. We had some kids step up tonight, we need to get that. As good as Kenzy is, we can’t have her scoring 50 percent, 60 percent of our points every single game,” said Aube.
Ouellette feels that the key to making the postseason is to stay focused.
“It was great (to win),” said Ouellette. “We all were excited and I think we just need to keep putting effort in and look forward.”
— Associate Sports Editor Alex Sponseller can be reached at asponseller@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 323. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @JournalTsports.
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