BATH

The North Yarmouth Academy girls basketball team used its experience, speed and athleticism to outlast the Hyde Wolfpack for a 53-30 victory in Class C basketball action.

With a roster of athletes that don’t have a lot of basketball experiences, the home team fought to the final buzzer while falling to 0-2 on the young season.

“We have a lot of tenacity on the team, and that should go a long way,” said Hyde coach Elizabeth Henderson.

Maeve Dunn immediately put Hyde on the scoreboard first with a long 3-point basket seconds into the game.

The Panthers answered with a layup by Maggie Larson, and she followed with a steal before dishing off to Sydney Plummer where she was fouled. Plummer tied the score at three with a free throw, and then stole the inbound pass, handed off to Katie Larson, and she promptly hit a trey to give the visitors their first lead of the night, 6-3.

Hyde was able to break through the full-court press put on by NYA, but once to half court, the Wolverines had trouble breaking the double-team traps. NYA forced nine first-quarter turnovers, converting a handful into baskets enroute to a 12-3 first quarter advantage.

The second frame proved to be more productive for Hyde. Jada Holford became a force underneath the basket. The sophomore grabbed nine rebounds (three offensive) in the quarter while adding four points, including an offensive rebound and a strong putback to cut the NYA lead to 16-7 with just over six minutes remaining in the half.

Maggie Larson proved to be too much in the second quarter as well for the Panthers, driving through the paint or along the baseline to convert on several layups, ending the half with 14 points.

Again, the inexperience of the Wolfpack played into five more turnovers. Hyde trailed 29-11 at the half.

“From our last game to this game, we’ve come a long way,” said Dunn. “We have a lot of new players playing basketball for the first time and we’re working really hard in practice to get some of the basics in.”

Hyde (0-2) had quick baskets by Holford and Kyra Holdampf to open the half, but NYA answered quickly with two more baskets by Maggie Larson. The second came off a steal by the junior, and she dribbled down the court for a layup and a 35-15 Panther lead. NYA extended its lead to 40- 17 through three quarters.

Despite being down by as many as 27 points in the fourth quarter, Hyde did not quit. Dunn opened the frame with a trey and helped push her team on defense, generating three steals in the fourth.

“Our players work hard no matter what the score is,” said Dunn. “Our attitude on the team is really great.”

Holford was also sparked on defense in the fourth, getting a pair of blocks on the defensive end while grabbing three more rebounds.

“She’s a big help underneath. It allows me to be outside more with the offense,” said Dunn of Holford, who finished with eight points and totaled 12 boards.

Maggie Larson ended with a game- high 22 points and had four steals for NYA (1-2). Helen Hamblett chipped in with 11 points and five rebounds. Plummer and Katie Larson each added nine, with Katie. Larson’s coming on a trio of baskets from behind the arc.

Dunn finished the game with 14 points, while getting four steals, three rebounds and a pair of blocks for Hyde.

“We’re obviously young and inexperienced, but these girls work, and they play until the end,” added Henderson, as her team hustled on the court right to final whistle of the game.

NYA 53, Hyde 30

NYA		—	12	17	11	13	—	53
Hyde		—	3	8	6	13	—	30

NYA — Maggie Larson 10-2-22, Ellie Griswold 0-0-0, Sydney Plummer 4- 1-9, Helen Hamblett 5-1-11, Katie Larson 3-0-9, Lincoln Hamblett 1-0- 2, Sam Heinzman 0-0-0, Camille Beaudoin 0-0-0, Salem Griswold 0-0- 0. Totals — 23-4-53. Hyde — Jada Holford 4-0-8, Madison Hughes 2-0-4, Kyra Holdampf 2-0-4, Maeve Dunn 5-2-14, Amanda Morgan 0-0-0, Ingrid Shroeter 0-0-0, Bailey Kent 0-0-0. Totals — 13-2-30. 3-point goals — (NYA) K. Larson 3; (H) Dunn 2. Records — NYA 1-2; Hyde 0-2. Up next for the Wolverines — Saturday, Jan. 6 at Pine Tree Academy at 5:30 p.m.