Belfast — One of the premier high school athletic rivalries in Waldo County was renewed Friday night, Dec. 21 in Belfast with the Lions hosting Mount View of Thorndike in an early-season contest between the two boys basketball squads.

And while the Mustangs (1-4) clearly have the youth on this year's squad, it was the experienced Lions (3-2) — led by senior guards Kaleb Benjamin and Ryan Rice — who made the difference as the hosts roared to a 60-46 win.

Click for photos from this game.

On Friday night, Belfast maintain a comfortable lead over Mount View for much of the contest, leading by nearly 20 points at one point, though the Mustangs cut their deficit to a mere six points in the waning minutes of the game. The Lions led 17-11, 31-21 and 44-30 at the quarter breaks.

Benjamin led the Lions with a 14-point effort, while Rice added 12; Levi Lapham, 10; Yanni Rakis, seven; Korey Doolan and Stephen Paul, both four; and Greg Clark and Zach Collier, both two.

For Mount View, Steven Davis tossed in 13 points, while Brody Gibbs added 12; Jack Simpson, eight; Kenny McGray, six; Nathan Wren, four; and Justin Lizotte, three.

The Lions were 19-of-38 (50 percent) from the free-throw line, while the Mustangs were 14-of-25 (56 percent).

In the Maine Principals' Association Heal Point Standings for Eastern Class B, Belfast (3-2, 4.3210 points) is seventh, while Mount View (1-4, 1.0802 points) is 18th. Oceanside of Rockland/Thomaston (4-1, 11.8827 points) is first in the 19-team region. The top 13 teams qualify for the playoffs.

Courier Publications sports staff can be reached by phone at 207-594-4401 or by email at sports@courierpublicationsllc.com.