TOPSHAM — Thursday’s Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference girls’ basketball first quarter was anything but pretty.
Brunswick and Mt. Ararat slogged through an 8-4 opening eight minutes, with neither the Dragons or Eagles making open shots while combining to make just 5-of-25 attempts.
But, Brunswick found its game in the second, and kept things going in the third for a 55-29 victory over its “Battle of the Bridge” rival in front of a big crowd.
With the regular season now complete, the Dragons begin the Class A South postseason with a 17-1 record, their only blemish an early-season setback to undefeated Greely, which enters as the top seed.
“Our defense is there, and as long as we are rebounding and playing defense, we will be there. I don’t sweat the offense,” said Brunswick coach Sam Farrell, whose Dragons played strong in the middle frames.
On the other side, Andy Morris’ Eagles head to the Portland Expo, with many of his squad seeing the facility for the first time when Mt. Ararat faces the Dragons for the third time this season.
“We had two goals this summer, have this be a turn-the-corner year and to get to the Expo and on that floor. It is important for a team that has struggled to get to that floor and go from there,” Morris said.
Alexis Guptill picked up five of Brunswick’s eight first-quarter points. The Dragons found their offensive rhythm in the second, as Emily Larochelle nailed three treys and led Brunswick with 12 first-half points.
Brunswick senior point guard Marley Groat was sporting a splint on a finger, forcing her to sit out the opener. The point-guard duties fell on 14-year-old freshman Logan Brown, who warmed to the task and finished with 11 points, five rebounds and five assists.
“Transition, I don’t know if there is a better play than Marley, but Logan had the start, like she did against Greely and Anna DeWolfe,” said Farrell. “Tonight, a different game and she played well. She has stepped right in. We knew she was a good player and plays older than she is. She doesn’t play like a freshman.”
“It is the same team, and we know Marley will be back,” Brown added. “I am not used to playing point guard, but we practice it a lot and it worked out tonight. (Varsity) is really fast, and you have to pick up the ball quicker, which has been an adjustment for me.”
Mt. Ararat struggled in the opening half, trailing 27-12 at the break as Theresa Breed picked up four points.
“One of the things we did is we held Brunswick to a low-scoring first half. But they are 17-1 for a reason, and though we never quit, it wasn’t one of our best shooting nights,” Morris said.
Brunswick used a quick 9-2 spurt to open the second half for a 36-14 lead. Larochelle made her fifth and final 3-pointer during the run, with Brown adding a trey.
Mt. Ararat tried to hang in, receiving six points from senior Grace Liedman, with classmates Ainsley Bryant and Abby Sirois each picking up an assist on their Senior Night.
“It was amazing and tear-jerking, and to play here in front of this crowd is awesome,” said Bryant of the pre-game ceremonies.
In the fourth, both teams turned to their benches, with Mt. Ararat outscoring Brunswick, 10-9. Brown finished strong with five fourth-quarter points.
Now, all attention turns to the postseason.
“We know the Expo will be loud and nerve-racking, but we will get through it,” Brown said.
For the Eagles, it has been a turn-around year, one that will include at least one game in tournament.
“I have never been there, so it is awesome to go in my senior year,” said Bryant. “We need to make our shots and just pick it up.”
Morris wanted to see Marshwood, but with York knocking off Wells on Thursday, the Eagles slipped down a spot to the No. 7 seed and will face their rival.
“We would love to see somebody different, but it will be great and important to be on that floor,” said the Mt. Ararat coach.
Larochelle led all scorers with 17 points, with Guptill matching Brown with 11. Charlotte MacMillan scored just three points, but was a force with eight assists, five rebounds, four blocked shots and four steals. Guptill picked up seven boards, three steals and two assists, with Rosalie White adding five boards.
Breed paced Mt. Ararat with eight points and five rebounds, while Liedman picked up six points. Jaden Lohr had five boards, while Alexa Eaton added three steals.
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