RUMFORD — To be successful, everyone on the team needs to be on the same page. Lately, the Mountain Valley girls’ basketball team has embodied that philosophy, and it was evident again Tuesday at Puiia Gymnasium.

Seniors Ashley Russell, Liza White and Emily Laubauskas combined to score 48 points and the Falcons controlled the game throughout in a 52-33 triumph over Oak Hill. The Falcons have won six of seven games and are ranked third in the Class B South Heal points.

A combination of mistakes and poor shooting proved to be Oak Hill’s shortcoming as the Raiders were unable to wade through the Falcons’ trapping defense. The Raiders shot 6-for-21 from the field and turned the ball over 14 times in the first half.

”We moved the ball around well at times, but, there were too many turnovers,” said Oak Hill coach Micheal Labonte, whose Raiders dropped to 4-5, but are still clinging to the ninth and final playoff spot in Class B South. ”The girls are getting it. Mountain Valley didn’t do anything that we hadn’t planned for. It’s just that Mountain Valley is good at what they do and we were not ready for the speed.”

Mountain Valley started fast, with Russell scoring eight straight points and Laubauskas adding six for a 19-9 lead after the first quarter. Laubauskas was playing with reckless-abandon and all of her 13 points, eight rebounds and five steals in the first half

“Our transition game was really working well,” Laubauskas said. ”It was important for us to look up and get out on the wings. Our passes were crisp.”

Laubauskas made a pair of free throws, added an underhanded layup and put back an offensive rebound to begin the second quarter. Abby Mazza scored off a White assist and White (16 points, 8 rebounds) scored from inside to end an 11-2 run as the Falcons led 30-11.

Oak Hill had been held to two free throws by Brianna Mulherin (11 points, 7 rebounds) and missed its first 7 shots. They quickly turned on offense as Sara Moring buried a 3-pointer from the left side with 1:52 remaining in the first half. Freshman Desirae Dumais scored a basket and added two free throws, to trail 30-19 at halftime.

”The fast start really helped,” Laubauskas said. ”The run n the second half was keyed by our intensity. But, we after halftime can’t (afford) to start out slow out slow.”

The pace slowed down considerably in the third quarter as Russell (19 points) and White outscored Mulherin in the third quarter.

”I thought we executed well early and jumped out to a good lead,” Mountain Valley coach Ryan Casey said. ”Then, we got sloppy with the ball. Oak Hill is well coached and changed things up. Then we were able to get it back.”

Russell scored off a Julia Perry dish and stole the ensuing possession and made a basket, to begin the fourth quarter. The Falcons combined for 23 steals.