SOUTH CHINA — The Erskine Academy girls basketball team will enter the Class B North tournament as one of the lowest seeds, and might have to play in the preliminary round. The Eagles, though, look like they’re ready for another long postseason run.

Erskine cruised to a 65-42 win over Cony on Friday in a packed home gym. The Eagles (13-3) had four players score at least 10 points, led by junior guard Kelsie Dunn, who had 17 points and six rebounds. Junior forward Kienna Morse added 16 points.

“We’ve been talking about what our potential is all season,” said Erskine coach Danielle Lefferts. “I still don’t think we’ve played our best basketball yet, and the best is yet to come for us. We’ve been trying to find our groove for this season and, honestly, we’re just starting to do that right now, and it’s at no better time.”

Sophomore guard Kya Douin scored 20 points to lead Cony (9-8). Fellow sophomore Gabby Vachon added nine points.

A 16-0 run between the first and second quarters helped Erskine take a 32-16 lead in the first half.

“We knew that defense was the biggest (key) against this team and it always powers our offense,” Morse said. “Every time we do well on defense we get those easy layups. It kind of fuels those runs that we go on.”

Dunn and Morse helped shut the door on the Rams in the second half. Dunn scored eight of her 17 points in the third quarter, while Morse poured in 10 of her 16 points in the fourth.

How did they get there?

Depth and quick passing. The Eagles were able to move the ball quickly around the court, which often created an open player near the basket.

“We talk a lot about ball movement, especially when we’re playing an opponent like Cony that has really great length,” Lefferts said. “We have to move the ball and be more accurate and effective at it.”

Eight players scored for Erskine. Aside from Dunn and Morse, junior guard Olivia Childs had 12 points, while sophomore forward Kinsey Ulmer finished with 10.

“It makes it hard for other teams because they don’t know who to guard,” Morse said. “Any one of us can step up.”

Added Dunn: “We’ve got 10 players that can go any day of the week. It’s a good thing to have on our team.”

Cony struggled on the defensive end of the floor and to make shots. Douin scored 10 of the Rams’ 16 points in the first half. Rylin Miller (five points, nine rebounds) had a strong night on the boards, but Erskine’s first-half run was simply too much for Cony to overcome.

What does it mean?

Erskine entered Friday night as the ninth and final qualifying seed for the Class B North playoffs. The Eagles jumped to the No. 8 spot, while Cony fell to No. 9.

Erskine, which reached the regional final last year before falling to eventual state champion Caribou, has won eight straight games since a 60-54 loss to No. 2 Gardiner on Jan. 5. Of Erskine’s 13 wins, four have come against opponents with a record of .500 or better: Cony, Winslow (twice) and Mount View.

“It’s very frustrating to be that low (in seeding) with that many wins,” Morse said. “People probably do underestimate us, which helps us out quite a bit. We always work our hardest no matter who we play or when we play.

“It’s very motivating. We were underdogs last year and finished second (in B North) because no one expected anything (from us). I think when the tournament comes, it’ll give us the edge to work a little harder.”

The Rams struggled Friday, their first game since a key win over Lawrence (60-49) on Tuesday. Cony wraps up its regular season with a home game against Class B South opponent Leavitt on Feb. 5.

If the current seeds hold, Erskine and Cony would meet again in a prelim game.

Statistical leaders

Erskine Academy: Kelsie Dunn (17 points, 6 rebounds), Kienna Morse (16 points, 4 rebounds), Olivia Childs (12 points), Kinsey Ulmer (10 points)

Cony: Kya Douin (20 points, 5 rebounds), Gabby Vachon (9 points, 6 rebounds), Rylin Miller (5 points, 9 rebounds)