Optimism was high in Newport coming into this schoolgirl basketball season.
The Nokomis girls were coming off a postseason appearance in Class A in 2008-09 and had a talented nucleus returning for its first campaign in Class B.
But the Warriors’ season started a bit rocky, losing close games to defending state champion Waterville (two points) and Winslow (four points).
That might cause some teams to panic, but not coach Kori Dionne’s bunch, as the Warriors have reeled off eight consecutive victories, including Thursday’s 64-57 road triumph over previously undefeated Leavitt of Turner Center, a Western B contender.
“That shows we’ve matured and we can be in a game like that and keep our composure,” Dionne said. “That’s a playoff type of a game right there.”
Two big reasons for the Warriors’ success have been a dedication to tough defense and a balanced offense led by Mary Badeen, Kara Batchelder, Julie Smith and Marissa Shaw.
“We’re just starting to come together where it’s everybody looking to score,” Dionne said after her team defeated Lincoln Academy of Newcastle at home last week.
“We’re very unselfish with the basketball, its great to see.”
Nokomis, traditionally a defensive power under coach Earl Anderson when it was a perennial contender in Class A, has only allowed one opponent (Leavitt) to crack the 50-point barrier this winter, and the Hornets entered that contest averaging 70 points per night.
“Before I got here, Nokomis was a defensive school, and that’s something I’ve just tried to stick with,” Dionne said.
Smith, a junior guard, rose to the occasion against Leavitt, as she hit nine fourth-quarter free throws and scored 11 of her 16 points over the game’s final eight minutes to help the Warriors hold off a late Leavitt charge.
Nokomis was 21-of-23 as a unit at the foul line in that contest.
The tough start early in the season didn’t frustrate the Warriors, as they’re accustomed to tight games.
“I have a competitive group of kids, most of them have been through a lot,” Dionne said. “A lot of that goes back to last year, we only won seven games but we were in several of our games.”
Dionne’s club has kicked off its stretch of six of seven games on the road in fine fashion as it started with the win over Leavitt and a victory over Oak Hill of Sabattus Saturday. Next up are away contests with Medomak Valley of Waldoboro tonight, Camden Hills of Rockport Friday and Winslow on Jan. 29, with a rematch against Waterville sandwiched in Jan. 22 in Newport.
Warriors receive banner
The boosters club at Nokomis recently honored the school’s 2008 Eastern Maine Class B championship field hockey team with a photo banner.
The Warriors were presented with the banner following last week’s girls basketball game against Lincoln Academy of Newcastle.
The photo features Nokomis’ 2008 squad and coaching staff.
“It was really nice, I think they really appreciated it, the seniors that came back especially appreciated it,” said coach Katie Thompson.
Nokomis fell in the state game to York in 2008 while reaching the regional final again this fall before bowing to Gardiner.
Terrie Murray, the president of Nokomis booster club, got the idea to present the team with a photo banner, as all teams who reach regional or state finals receive such banners to put on display in their gyms.
Thompson is optimistic this won’t be the last banner the Warriors put up.
“I think that they’ve been doing a good job and I hope that they keep up the hard work and we’ll be competitive in Class B for a while,” she said.
Clash of the titans tonight
Tournament positioning and bragging rights will be on the line in Dover-Foxcroft tonight when the Central of Corinth and Foxcroft Academy girls meet on the hardwood.
Game time is 7 p.m.
The Ponies come in holding a 7-1 record and the top spot in a jumbled Eastern Maine Class C while undefeated Central (9-0) is fifth.
The winner of this game will almost certainly hold the inside track on gaining the No. 1 seed for next month’s regional tournament.
Foxcroft’s lone loss came to Class B foe Hermon while Central’s closest brush with defeat came on opening night against Class B John Bapst, a 28-27 Red Devils’ victory.
Since then, coach Diane Rollins’ club has averaged nearly 58 points per game, led by Hannah Pray, Bekah Campbell and Max McHugh.
Foxcroft counters with a solid post threat in Vanessa Lougee.
The two teams will play again in Corinth on Jan. 28.
rmclaughlin@bangordailynews.net
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