Mt. Ararat’s Kyla Greenleaf prepares to launch a 3-pointer in Saturday’s 48-37 win over Morse. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
BATH–It may not be the “Battle of the Bridge” that the Eagles have with rival Brunswick, but the quick trip up and down Route 1 that separate Morse and Mt. Ararat High Schools has been picking up steam. And Saturday evening’s girls Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference battle was no different.
For the second time in two weeks, the Shipbuilders took Mt. Ararat to the final minutes, before the Eagles pulled away for the 48-37 victory over Morse at Bath Middle School.
“It’s kind of becoming a rival, whenever you have rival game on the road, it’s a tough environment,” Mt. Ararat coach Andy Morris said. “They play really hard. Jan does a really nice job.”
The Eagles were paced by Theresa Breed’s 17 points, including seven in the final frame to clinch the victory.
In their previous meeting, the two teams played a back and forth contest with the Eagles earning the eight-point win. And like that game, Saturday’s match had four lead changes in the opening quarter.
Morse’s Julia Goddard, who scored 19 points in their previous meeting, began the game draining a 3 for the home team. Ainsley Bryant netted five first-quarter points for the Eagles, including a basket from behind the arc, and like the quarter began, the home team drained a 3, this time from Kaylee Creamer to give the ‘Builders a one-point lead after eight minutes of play.
“They have periods of playing hard when they can put it together,” Morse coach Jan Veinot said. “They have the ability, they just have to have the belief in themselves.”
The Eagles responded with a strong second quarter after a Kyla Greenleaf steal and a pair of free throws put them back on top. Another Greenleaf hoop and her third steal of the half and the visitors started the frame on a 14-4 run. A run that was capped by a trey from the junior guard. Greenleaf finished the quarter with seven points.
Marija Medenica netted five second-quarter points for Morse, while hauling in five rebounds for the half.
Morse’s Marija Medencia (12) drives to the basket as Mt. Ararat’s Alexa Eaton defends. Mt. Ararat downed the’Builders, 48.37 on Saturday night at Bath Middle School. (Eric Maxim/ The Times Record)
“She works and tries really hard for us,” Veinot said. “She’s becoming a strong player underneath.”
Mt. Ararat erased the deficit and took a 28-23 lead into the locker room after two quarters of play. The Eagles held the advantage in rebounds, 15-9.
Early 2nd-half struggles
Both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net in the third quarter. After Ainsley Bryant opened the half with a 3-point basket, the Eagles inside game once again carried them through the quarter, grabbing eight rebounds in the frame, including five under their own hoop.
“They had a lot of second, third, fourth and fifth shots and that killed us,” the Morse coach said. “If we’re going to give someone five shots, they’re gonna score.”
Morse managed just seven points, receiving four from Medenica in the quarter.
Mt. Ararat extended its lead to 37-30 after three quarters of play.
Morris was pleased with how his defense played, especially holding Goodard to just four points through three quarters, as the sophomore guard was scoreless in the third.
“Julia Goddard is a good ball player.We knew we had to key on her and keep the ball out of her hands and make the others do the work,” Morris said. “We ran kids at her and tried to double her so she wouldn’t get the ball.”
Goddard hit her second shot from behind the arc and with a Medenica lay up, the Shipbuilders cut the lead to four, 39-33.
“We talked that we needed to close out on her (Goddard), because if we didn’t, we knew she could shoot,” Breed said. “I think we succeeded in shutting her down tonight.”
Goddard finished with seven points.
That was as close as the home team came to the Eagles, succumbing to the press, turning the ball over four times in the final period. A pair of hard-fought baskets and sinking three free throws in the quarter, Breed sealed the game for the 6-7 Eagles.
“She works really really hard and is a strong girl,” Morris said about Breed. “We talked with three minutes left that we are in the driver’s seat and we’re a good foul shooting team. When we get in that position, we feel comfortable.”
Despite coming up short, the winless Shipbuilders (0-13) proved that they don’t have any quit, and Medenica believes good things are to come.
“We recognize we don’t give up. Our losses have taken a toll on us and we sometimes think we’re not as good as we are,” Medenica said. “I think we need to play like a good team would and know that we have the potential to win. We work well together when we have the mindset.”
The senior center hauled down four boards, scoring four points in the final frame to finish with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Dory Kulis added six in the loss.
Bryant ended the game with 12 points and Greenleaf chipped in with seven. Greenleaf also added six boards and four steals in the victory.
Mt. Ararat travels to Leavitt on Monday for a 6:30 p.m. tip off. The Eagles opened the season with a 39-30 victory over the Hornets.
Morse hosts Brunswick on Monday at 2:30 p.m.
Morse’s Julia Goddard is trapped by Mt. Ararat’s Kyla Greenleaf, left, and Jaden Lohr in the first quarter of Saturday’s KVAC clash. The Eagles took down Morse, 48-37. (Eric Maxim / The Times Record)
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
