AUGUSTA — The Valley boys basketball team had not one, but two opponents to contend with in a Class D South quarterfinal game Monday morning.
Vinalhaven, and the flu.
The No. 3 Cavaliers were able to overcome one to beat the other, picking up a 58-43 victory over the No. 6 Vikings at the Augusta Civic Center.
Valley (14-5), will play No. 2 Temple Academy in the semifinals Wednesday.
The Cavaliers opened the contest on an 8-0 run and never looked back, using solid 3-point shooting and an aggressive slash-and-drive style to secure the victory. The Cavaliers made nine 3-pointers.
“We shot pretty well, especially early,” Valley head coach Curtis Miller said. “Our guys have been very sick, that showed out there for sure. Hopefully, we’ll be ready to go Wednesday, because we were about half-speed getting up and down the floor.”
“We were just trying to stay hydrated,” Senior guard Keegan Farnham said. “Just play hard. Coach was telling us (before the game) to eat good food.”
Vinalhaven (2-15) did not make life easy on Valley and it trailed by as little as six points in the second half. The Vikings held a rebounding advantage as well.
“We knew (Vinalhaven) would play us tough, they played Temple (Academy) tough a couple games ago,” Miller said. “They were ready to battle. I was actually really impressed, they were composed and got after it a little bit more than we did.”
Valley’s Spencer Hunnewell is pressured by Vinallhaven defender Hunter Ames of Vinalhaven during a Class D South quarterfinal game Monday at the Augusta Civic Center. Morning Sentinel photo byDave Leaming
Valley was in clear control in the first half, thanks to the play of Joey Thomas and Farnham, who scored 12 of his team-high 19 points during the stretch.
“We push the ball,” Miller said. “We try to get up, let Joey (Thomas) run the point, push the ball up as fast as we can. Kind of get the defense scrambling, hit our (3-pointers) and work a little inside-out. We’ve been getting a lot better over the last couple of weeks.”
The Vikings refused to go quietly, coming out of halftime with its strongest quarter to outscore the Cavaliers, 17-10. By the end of the third quarter, Valley’s lead had dwindled to 40-32.
Valley’s Thomas Bishop nearly takes an elbow to the face during a Class D South quarterfinal game Monday at the Augusta Civic Center. Morning Sentinel photo by Dave Leaming
“I was honestly expecting (Vinalhaven) to come out and give us a good game,” Farnham said. “We’ve played them four times, so they know what we run and they’ve basically figured everything out.”
But the Cavaliers responded with their strongest quarter in the fourth. Farnham helped seal the game with seven points in the period.
Thomas finished with 15 points for the Cavaliers, while Zachary Walter added 12 points, all on 3-point shots. Hunnewell led Valley on the boards, collecting five rebounds.
Mikael Stone led the Vikings with 20 points, while Mark Augusto had 10.
Dave Dyer – 621-5640
Twitter: @Dave_Dyer
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