TOPSHAM

Three quarters worth of pounding inside by a taller Erskine Academy did little to persuade the Mt. Ararat High School boys basketball team from continuing to dive, take charges and hustle during Friday’s Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference game.

Yes, Erskine outrebounded its hosts, 38-27, including a huge 15-6 advantage on the offensive glass. But, with 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, the teams stood tied at 36.

However, the visitors were not to be denied on this night, outscoring Mt. Ararat 20-9 the rest of the way for a 56-45 victory.

The loss sends Mt. Ararat to 0- 3, while Erskine improved to 2-1. Mt. Ararat visits Skowhegan on Tuesday before the first installment of this basketball season’s “Battle of the Bridge” rivalry at Brunswick on Thursday.

Mt. Ararat coach Aaron Watson was pleased with his team’s hustle against an Erskine team with four players standing 6-foot-5 and above, compared to his squad, with his tallest starters (Brett Martin and Alex LaPierre) standing 6-foot-1.

“As always, our kids never once looked down, and the passion and effort are there,” said Watson. “We are young varsity-wise with concerns to playing experience, and we have a lot of kinks to work out. This team will continue to work hard in practice.”

Just like in Tuesday’s 53-50 loss to Oxford Hills, Erskine had an answer down the stretch when Mt. Ararat made a run or hit a big basket. Down 44-40, DJ Cole, who scored all 10 of his points in the fourth quarter, nailed a 3- pointer to bring Mt. Ararat to within a point with 3: 38 remaining.

But, Erskine’s Devin Duncan answered with a trey of his own on the ensuing possession to restore the fourpoint lead. Mt. Ararat had three chances to draw closer, but a combined 1-for-5 from the charity stripe only shaved off a point, 47- 44 with 1: 11 remaining.

Holding a 49-45 advantage after a Tom Grady free throw, Erskine closed the game at the foul line, making seven-of- 10.

“This was a game the kids felt they could get, but not hitting our free-throw opportunities hurt,” said Watson.

Mt. Ararat leads

The first quarter featured both teams scuffling to find a rhythm, with Mt. Ararat jumping out to a 7-3 behind a 3-point hoop by Martin. Jason Tome’s runner gave Mt. Ararat a slim 9-7 lead after eight minutes.

Erskine ran off six straight points for a 13-9 lead, and Mt. Ararat senior guard Josh Wright picked up three quick fouls, forcing Watson to go to his bench. Brandon Johansen kept Mt. Ararat in the game, scoring all six of his points in the quarter, while Tyler Belanger finished off a second 6-0 Erskine run to give the visitors a 21-19 lead at the break.

While Erskine went to the line 14 times in the half, Mt. Ararat didn’t see the freethrow line.

However, Martin’s four points, and four assists from Joey Van Note provided Mt. Ararat with a spark, taking a 31-28 lead on a Mason Griffin layup with 1:12 remaining in the third quarter.

But, Erskine closed the frame with a flourish, scoring eight quick points, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Duncan to give the visitors a 36-31 lead.

Mt. Ararat answered the bell in the fourth as Cole hit a 3 and LaPierre uncorked a pass through traffic to Martin to tie the contest, 36-36.

Tom Grady lifted Erskine the rest of the way, scoring 10 of his game- high 17 points down the stretch. Duncan finished off his 13-point night with a trey, while Belanger and Jory Humphrey each scored six points.

Erskine was 15 of 53 ( 28 percent) from the floor and made 23- of- 34 free throws. Shyler Scates had nine rebounds, Belanger pulled down eight caroms, and Grady and Humphrey each had three steals.

Martin and Cole both had 10 points to lead Mt. Ararat, which shot 31 percent (18 of 57) from the field and just six of 14 from the charity stripe. LaPierre chipped in seven points and Johansen six points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two assists.

Erskine 56,
Mt. Ararat 45

At Mt. Ararat High School
Erskine — 7 14 15 20 — 56
Mt. Ararat — 9 10 12 14 — 45
Erskine — Tyler Belanger 2-2-6, Devin
Duncan 4-3-13, Tom Grady 4-8-17,
Ryan Pulver 1-2-4, Shyler Scates 0-5-
5, Jory Humphrey 2- 2- 6, Caleb
McGuire 2-1-5, Todd Jones 0-0-0,
Nathaniel Trask 0-0-0, Damon Bailey 0-
0-0. Totals — 15-23-56.
Mt. Ararat — Alex LaPierre 3-1-7,
Josh Wright 2-0-4, DJ Cole 3-2-10,
Brandon Johansen 3-0-6, Brett Martin
4-1-10, Jason Tome 2-0-4, Tyler Charron 0-0-0, Tyler Roberts 0-0-0, Joey
Van Note 0-2-2, Mason Griffin 1-0-2,
Zach Greene 0-0-0, Gabe Pelletier 0-0-
0. Totals — 18-6-45.
3-pointers — (EA) Duncan 2, Grady;
(MA) Cole 2, Martin.
Records — Erskine Academy 2-1, Mt.
Ararat 0-3.
Next for Mt. Ararat — Tuesday at
Skowhegan, 7 p.m.