AUGUSTA — Cindy Schultz didn’t shoot the ball as well as she’s accustomed to at this time of the season, particularly at the Augusta Civic Center.
Fortunately, Valley didn’t need an exceptional game from Schultz in a 50-47 victory over Rangeley in a Western Class D girls’ basketball semifinal Thursday.
Schultz scored 16 points but struggled from the floor, making just 4 of 18 shots.
“They double teamed me and they wouldn’t leave me alone,” Schultz said. “It was hard, but we pulled through.”
No. 3 Valley (13-6) returns to the regional final for the third time in six years. The Cavaliers will play top-seeded Richmond (19-1) at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Emily Carrier scored 17 points and Chantal Carrier added 10 for No. 2 Rangeley (16-4).
“We played with passion,” Valley Coach Gordon Hartwell said. “Everybody who stepped on the floor for us contributed.”
And the Cavaliers needed the help, with Schultz drawing constant double teams.
“We did a couple different things,” Rangeley Coach Heidi Deery said. “We knew how she would come off picks. But they got a lot of help from other people.”
Shannon Rich scored 10 points – all in the second half – and Hali McQuilkin added eight from inside the paint. McQuilkin also grabbed seven rebounds.
“You need other people to step up,” Hartwell said. “You can’t rely on one individual.”
Added Rich: “We knew they might double team (Schultz), so I had to shoot a little more than I usually do. I’m usually in more for defense.”
Schultz struggled in the first half, making just 2 of 11 shots.
However, the Lakers couldn’t capitalize, going 2 for 21. Coupled with their 14 turnovers, the Lakers quickly fell into a double-digit hole.
Valley opened the second quarter on a 14-3 run to go ahead 22-10, and it was a struggle for Rangeley the rest of the way.
“I just felt we never really settled in,” Deery said. “I think it was our offense in the first half that really hurt us. That second quarter hurt us. Offensively, we were getting looks, but nothing could fall.”
Valley led 27-15 at the half and pushed it to 32-15 early in the third quarter on a Bridget Fortin basket and a Rich 3-pointer.
Rangeley closed the game on a 16-7 run, but it was too little, too late. Carrier scored 10 points in the run.
“We had to have all five people on the floor contribute offensively,” Deery said.
Added Schultz: “It was a little nerve-racking.”
Krissy Hackley and Ashley Hines each scored six points for Valley. Jenney Abbott had eight points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Lakers.
Bill Stewart — 623-3811, ext. 515
bstewart@centralmaine.com
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