The Mt. Abram Roadrunners advanced to the regional finals after a decisive 40-17 victory over Monmouth Academy in the Class D South semifinal held on March 14, 2024, at the Augusta Civic Center. The top-seeded Roadrunners effectively neutralized Monmouth’s star player, **Kaitlyn Frost**, limiting her to just seven points and securing their place in the championship game.
From the outset, Mt. Abram’s strategy focused on shutting down Frost, who had been a significant contributor for Monmouth throughout the season. Roadrunners’ player **Abby McCarty** noted the importance of their defensive game plan. “We knew she’s a great player, so our first goal was to take her out of the game and let someone else beat us,” she said. McCarty herself contributed eight points in the game, showcasing the team’s balanced attack.
Defensive Mastery and Teamwork Shine
The Roadrunners’ defense was formidable, forcing Monmouth to struggle with their shooting. The Mustangs managed to hit just **6 of 46** attempts from the field. Coach **Keith Derosby** of Monmouth acknowledged the effectiveness of Mt. Abram’s defensive scheme, explaining, “It was a lot of what we saw in that last game, that diamond-and-1. We got the spots and looks out of it that we wanted, but sometimes the ball doesn’t fall the right way.”
A tactical adjustment by Mt. Abram involved forgoing a full-court press, a strategy that has previously favored the Mustangs. “We try to take away tendencies,” said Mt. Abram’s head coach **Jason Wing**, highlighting his focus on adapting to opponents’ strengths. The decision proved successful, as the Mustangs were unable to find their rhythm.
Roadrunners’ Offensive Contributions
On the offensive end, **Stella Peterson** emerged as a standout player, scoring **20 points** and grabbing **nine rebounds**, eight of which were on defense. Peterson described the team’s approach as one of collaboration, stating, “We played really unselfish basketball. We stuck together, the whole team, and it brought us to the win.”
The defensive effort by Mt. Abram was particularly impressive, with the 17 points allowed marking the second fewest they have given up in a game this season, following a previous low of 12 points against Telstar. McCarty emphasized the importance of maintaining this defensive mentality as they prepare for their next challenge. “We are going to keep playing our hard defense, and we are going to motivate each other, we are going to build up the confidence, and keep shooting the ball,” she stated.
As the Roadrunners look ahead to the regional final against **No. 2 Buckfield** on March 16, they are determined to carry forward their winning momentum and continue their strong defensive performance. The upcoming matchup promises to be an exciting contest as Mt. Abram aims for further success in the playoffs.
