Mavericks win first two game under new system

The North Country Mavericks basketball team won both of their games last weekend utilizing a new ball-control offense for the first time in live games.

“I have seen a big improvement in the team buying into my system, so things are looking up,” Coach Ralph Ellsworth said.

The team saw their first action in Lewistown at the Fergus Holiday Showcase on Friday, December 7, and on Saturday, December 8. The Mavericks defeated Shields Valley on day one 39-34. They then defeated Roy-Winifred 52-43 on day two.

Though the team could run fast breaks most of the game, Coach Ellsworth has been making sure that the Mavericks takes care of the ball every possession, making sure all possessions count.

“We have that ability, but my style keeps them pretty slowed up,” Coach Ellsworth said. “They are buying into that and if they get a chance, they’ll explode to a finish, but we haven’t gotten into the organizational stuff enough to get there but we are getting there.”

In the team’s win over Shields Valley, Coach Ellsworth mentioned that the key was the Mavericks ability to rebound.

“We outrebounded that team pretty well,” Coach Ellsworth said. “We have a couple of leapers that really figured out how to get that done.”

Coach Ellsworth spoke well of his team, mentioning Loden Idler and Jesse Lee as catalysts for the team’s offense. He also mentioned a few other names of athletes that fared well.

“Jon Rey Taylor’s ball handling is coming along, and John McColly defensively is picking it up,” Coach Ellsworth said. “Beau Simonson is getting some boards and post-ups. Ty Murphy is knocking down some threes and taking care of the ball.”

In the team’s win over Roy-Winifred, the Outlaws jumped ahead of the Mavericks early, but the team was able to stay in the game, plugging away at the deficit.

“We finally got the rhythm going and we were able to score more points than them,” Coach Ellsworth said. “We were down 13-3 right away. And when that happens it takes a while to get yourself going, and get yourself playing how you are supposed to play.”

The North Country Mavericks will travel to Glasgow on Friday, December 14, to take on the Glasgow Scotties at 7:30 p.m. The team will then go to Saco for a home opener against the Brockton Warriors.

“Several kids from Hinsdale played with Glasgow during football this year and they have had some success, so they are actually good friends with a few of them,” Coach Ellsworth said.