Marc Calnan of the Eastern Maine Sports Blog is a regular contributor to Maine Sports Report
MSR Sports Forum Announcements ForumNewport, Me— Nokomis Warriors girls basketball coach Kori Dionne can always count on Marissa Shaw to give it her all every time she steps on the basketball court.
Shaw recorded 12 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two assists in a 58-40 victory over the Oceanside Mariners on Thursday evening. Shaw also came up big on Tuesday night when she had 19 points and 16 rebounds in a 61-60 overtime victory over Leavitt in a state championship rematch.
Oceanside's Rachel Frye looks to pass the ball during a game in December against Belfast at home. Photo courtesy of Ron Hawkes Photography
“You can always count on Marissa. She may be having a off night offensively in terms of shots falling. You know what you are going to get from her. She is going to work her butt off on the boards. I can always count on Marissa,” Dionne said. “She always gives 110 percent on the court. I probably take that a little bit too much for granted. I never have to question what I am going to get from her.”
Shaw and Anna MacKenzie make it difficult for opposing teams to match up with the Warriors. MacKenzie put in 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the emotional victory over Leavitt on Tuesday. She put in eight points and six rebounds in the victory over Oceanside. Shaw and MacKenzie combined for 19 rebounds including eight offensive rebounds
“She (Shaw) has been someone we have relied on underneath,” Dionne said. “Not many people can guard her and Anna (MacKenzie). They have to guard one or the other. That leaves the other one to usually have a field day, depending on who we are playing.”
It has been a long week for the Warriors and it was looking like it had a impact early on. They trailed 16-14 after the first quarter. With the scored tied at 20, Kelsie Richards nailed a three pointer with 4:49 remaining in the second quarter. That gave the Warriors a lead they would hold the rest of the way and started a 17-0 run.
“I think we were a little bit slow to start. This has been a long week for us. We had a late night at Leavitt on Tuesday and that was an emotional, hard fought, good game,” Dionne said. “It took us a little while to realize we have to turn around and play again. I warned them that it was important to get out to a good start. We didn’t get off to the start I hoped for. The girls came around.”
Shaw added, “We just came off a emotional game. We fought through it.”
With MacKenzie in foul trouble, Dionne called on Traci Carson to step in. Carson did just that. She put in eight first half points and grabbed four of her six rebounds in the first half. It is the second straight game that Carson gave the Warriors important minutes.
“At Leavitt she gave some good minutes,” Dionne said. “I think it was huge for her confidence wise to step in here. The last couple of games she has stepped in and done good things for us when we got into foul trouble.”
Shaw added, “We can rely on her (Carson) in any situation lately. I am proud of her.”
Nokomis (13-0) will host Mount View on Saturday, January 28th. Dionne and the Warriors want to get the defensive effort back where it was at the start of the season.
“We have to work on our defense. I think we were a lot better at the beginning of the year,” Dionne said. “I don’t know if we are sitting on our heals. We are getting beat off the dribble more than I want to.”
Shaw added, “Just keep working hard these last five games. That is what is going to make us better in the tournament.”
Kennadi Grover led the Mariners with 14 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and two steals. Hannah Plourde recorded 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. Oceanside (9-5) will host Morse on Saturday, January 28th.
Team Stats
Field Goals- Nokomis- 21-65 (32.3) Oceanside- 13-43 (30.2)
2 PT FG- Nokomis- 20-55 (36.4) Oceanside- 12-37 (32.4)
3 PT FG- Nokomis- 1-10 (10.0) Oceanside- 1-6 (16.6)
Free Throws- Nokomis- 15-21 (71.4) Oceanside- 13-25 (52.0)
Rebounds- Nokomis- 37 (M. Shaw 13) Oceanside – Gould (8)
Assists- Nokomis- 9 (M. Shaw, Kel. Richards, Whitney, T. Shaw 2) Oceanside- 4 (Plourde 2)
Steals- Nokomis- 13 (Kel. Richards 4) Oceanside- 3 (Grover 2)
Blocks- Nokomis- 2 (Kel. Richards, MacKenzie 1) Oceanside- 3 (Grover 3)
Turnovers- Nokomis- 12 Oceanside- 24
1 2 3 4 Tot
Oceanside 16, 4, 7, 13, 40
Nokomis 14, 17,17, 10, 58
Scoring
Nokomis- (58)
M. Shaw- 12
Reynolds- 10
Kel. Richards- 8
Carson- 8
MacKenzie- 8
T. Shaw- 6
Kerstetter- 4
Ky. Richards- 1
Perry- 1
Oceanside- (40)
Grover- 14
Plourde- 12
Bradbury- 4
Carroll- 4
Gould- 3
Billingsley – 2
Dugan- 1
