WESTERN D GIRLS: Valley returns to title game | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME

WESTERN D GIRLS: Valley returns to title game | The Morning Sentinel, Waterville, ME
By Bill Stewart bstewart@centralmaine.com
Staff Writer

Fortunately, Valley didn't need her to Thursday in a 50-47 victory over rival Rangeley in a Western D girls basketball semifinal.

Schultz scored a team-high 16 points, but struggled from the floor, making just four of her 18 field goal attempts.

"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.

Richmond defeated Greenville 34-22 in the other semifinal Thursday.

Emily Carrier scored a game-high 17 points and Chantal Carrier added 10 to lead 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.

The Lakers stayed with a man-to-man defense, and for the most part it worked.

"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."

Indeed.

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 two of her 11 shots.

However, the Lakers couldn't capitalize.

They made just two of their 21 first-half field goal attempts. Coupled with their 14 turnovers, and the Lakers quickly fell into a double-digit hole.

The Cavaliers opened the second quarter on a 14-3 run to go up 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 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