Sometimes teams show why they are undefeated.

The Dirigo Cougars showed why they are one of Western Class C's top-ranked teams when they completed the 85-36 victory over the Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team Monday, Jan. 5.

The Cougars (8-0) scored early and often and were able to rack up a season-high 85 points.

Dirigo relied on the press to frustrate and harass Wiscasset's ball-handlers, and capitalized on turnovers from the start.

The Cougars rushed to early leads of 7-0, and 21-2 in the first half, before Wiscasset came storming back to cut the lead to 24-11 before the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Dirigo would again find its advantage at mid-court, where Cougar defenders were able to bottle any Wiscasset momentum with traps. The Dirigo offense was also able to spread-out Wiscasset's defense, as Dirigo's Jessica Conant scored eight of her game-high 28 points in the second quarter to pace the Cougars.

By halftime the score was 44-20 in favor of the visiting team, and Dirigo added to its lead.

Dirigo's Kelsey Hutchins scored eight of her 18 points in the third quarter to bring the lead to 66-34 entering the final quarter.

Dirigo was able to hold Wiscasset to two points the rest of the way; Emma Leuders scored eight of her 12 points in the final frame to put the game away for the Cougars.

For Wiscasset, the leading scorer was senior Kayla Gordon, who scored 12 points. Fellow senior Alecia Faulkingham netted 11 points and sophomore Gabby Chapman scored five points.

Despite the loss, Wiscasset is still in the Western Class C playoff picture; the Wolverines are currently in 12th place.

For Dirigo, the winning continues as the Cougars are now 8-0 and in sole possession of third place in Western Class C. Dirigo will have a large challenge Thursday, Jan. 8 when it faces the second-ranked Boothbay Region Seahawks. Wiscasset will host Carrabec on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Monmouth 58, Wiscasset 41

Monmouth was able to beat the Wiscasset High School girls varsity basketball team 58-41 when the two teams matched-up Saturday, Jan. 3.

Despite the two teams playing a close first half, Monmouth was able to capitalize on Wiscasset foul trouble to score 25 third-quarter points and put the game away.

Sidney Wilson scored a game-high 19 points and Tia Day scored 14 points for the Mustangs (5-2) while senior Kayla Gordon scored 13 points, sophomore Gabby Chapman had seven points and senior Miranda McIntire chipped-in with six points for the Wolverines (3-6).