PORTLAND — Skip Rugh, the girls’ basketball coach at Carrabec High, spent three days watching videotape of Waynflete.

When he was through, he came to one conclusion: “I knew we were going to struggle.”

That the Cobras did. Waynflete’s frenetic harassing defense forced 41 turnovers and the fourth-ranked Flyers breezed to a 73-36 victory over 13th-ranked Carrabec Tuesday night in a Western Class C preliminary-round game.

Waynflete (16-3) put together a 21-0 run that started late in the first quarter to take control, extending a 14-9 margin to 35-9. The Flyers forced 12 turnovers during the run, leading to 15 points.

“The way we play, it’s all about the runs,” said Brandon Salway, coach of Waynflete.

“We may be dry for a couple of minutes but we should get a spurt that gets a quick eight points. You knock down a couple 3s, get a breakout layup, that’s eight quick points.

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“You just have to be patient and know it’s coming.”

Waynflete will play fifth-seeded Dirigo of Dixfield at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the quarterfinals at the Augusta Civic Center.

“We feel it’s our home away from home,” said senior guard Martha Veroneau, who led the Flyers with 22 points.

“We’re always comfortable there.”

Carrabec, which finished 5-14 and lost its last nine games, scored first on a 3-pointer by Jessica Vaillancourt, tied the game at 5 and pulled within 14-9.

But Waynflete’s full-court pressure was simply too much for the Cobras to handle. “They’re good,” said Rugh. “And it was good for the kids to see it. That’s how you get better.”

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Veroneau started the 21-0 run with an offensive rebound basket. Then, after a turnover, she fed Rhiannan Jackson for a layup.

Jackson, who scored all 12 of her points in the first half, put in an offensive rebound to start the scoring in the second quarter and then the game got away from the Cobras quickly.

Waynflete held them to two points in the second to lead 44-11 at the half, and took a 70-20 advantage into the fourth quarter.

“We executed it the way we wanted to,” said Veroneau. “With the fast pace, pressing, pushing it on offense.”

Leigh Fernandez also had 12 points for Waynflete while Julianna Harwood had nine.

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at: mlowe@pressherald.com

Twitter: MikeLowePPH

 


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