Down and dirty Mikayla Burbank battles for the ball in a make-up game last week against Dirigo. The Lady Roadrunners secured the win in front of a small crowd at Mt. Abram High School. (David Hart photo) Mt. Abram, 54 - Dirigo, 34

SALEM — Senior Mt. Abram guard Kenni Norton's 28 points led the way for the Lady Roadrunners as they defeated Dirigo last Tuesday, Dec. 23 at MTA in a 54-34 win. Norton put up 19 second-half points to prevent any chances of a Dirigo come-back. Norton also shot 9-14 from the line.

MTA junior Mikayla Burbank netted 10 Roadrunner points; eight of which came in the second quarter to take a 29-12 half-time lead.

The 4-1 Roadrunners have improved and are shaping up to become a contender in the Mountain Valley Conference; and play-off consideration is on the horizon.

Over the Christmas break, we looked into the Lady Roadrunners and their chances this season.

Coach Doug Lisherness, after 23 years of coaching the girls' Mt. Abram team, says his team is a tight knit group and is now working and playing well together. After five games of play, Lisherness said he's thinks he's got one of the best teams in the MVC.

"Compared to this time last year, we are in better condition - -at least equal to or are in better condition than other teams that we've played," Lisherness explained.

The press has worked well for MTA and continues to be a valuable tool as turnovers led to many points in this game and this season. "Everyone is doing their job, our press is the best in MVC and I have players who are among the leaders in all statistics in our conference." Lisherness was referring to his guards Norton and Burbank, but also credited others for their efforts. "I am very happy with the team's work ethics, but Kylie Rolbiecki and Macy Ryan have been leading the way in the intensity department."

He also credited Nicole Eisenhaur, Heather Campbell, Colleen Shields and Amanda Richards for showing vast improvements this season.

Come tournament time, MTA will move ahead without a six-foot post player, but Lisherness noted that Ryan will have a positive impact at 5-foot nine. The sophomore is proving that she can rebound and play defense and will have an impact on the team at tournament time, Lisherness explained.

The MTA coach showed a positive attitude after a preseason that he called a horror show. At one point, six of his seven players were suffering with injuries and Rolbiecki had a set back due to sickness that prevented her season start until game three. "Things are much better right now," the 2007 Gold Ball winning championship coach said.

Over the holiday break, Lisherness spoke very positively about his girls' basketball team. "If we can stay injury free the rest of the season and a couple of players improve, as I know they will, come tournament time you can come to the Augusta Civic Center and watch us play and," Lisherness said, "plan on going for three games."

Look ahead to Tuesday, Jan. 6 when the Lady Roadrunners will host the Cobras of Carrabec after heading to Lisbon with the boys Varsity team on Jan. 2.

The boys will be back on their home court Monday, Jan. 5 when they host Carrabec. The boys lost when they traveled to Mountain Valley on Dec. 23.