By DAN BARILE
Eagle Times Correspondent
ENFIELD, N.H. — The new year has been good to the Fall Mountain Wildcats, who entered Friday night’s contest against Mascoma Valley as winners of all six of its games since the calendar turned to 2025.
Despite the strong start to the new year, Fall Mountain knew it would have its hands full against a Mascoma squad that entered the game with a 9-1 record.
The Wildcats stayed within striking distance throughout the night, but behind 29 points from Bryce Ballou, Mascoma fended off Fall Mountain for a 61-52 victory.
Mascoma jumped out to a nine-point lead in the opening quarter before a three by Fall Mountain’s Zach Hearne at the buzzer cut the deficit to 16-10.
The momentum from Hearne’s buzzer beater did not carry over for Fall Mountain as the Royals went on a 10-0 run to open the second quarter. Trailing by 16 with 5:25 remaining until halftime, the Wildcats dug in their heels defensively and held Mascoma scoreless the rest of the period. Ledger Willett, Hearne and Evan Parker each found the bottom of the net during Mascoma’s scoreless stretch to reduce the Royals advantage to 26-17 entering the break.
Mascoma stayed in control for most of the second half until Fall Mountain moved to within four points following a couple of free throws by Willett with 1:31 remaining in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats continued to battle until the final buzzer, but Mascoma wouldn’t allow them any closer as they held on for a nine-point win.
Ledger Willett (15), Zach Hearne (13), and Luke St. Pierre (13) did much of the scoring for Fall Mountain. In addition to Ballou’s 29-point performance, Tanner Moulton added 15 points for Mascoma.
