Class C South girls’ quarterfinal: No. 8 Searsport shocks No. 1 Richmond

AUGUSTA — There is no more need to wonder how top-seeded Richmond, up from its long and successful run in Class D, will match up with the MVC’s relative giants in the Class C girls’ basketball tournament.

The Bobcats were bounced from the quarterfinals Tuesday afternoon by a traditional opponent, one with whom they had their way twice during the regular season.

Melinda Ogden overcame a defensive strategy focused entirely upon her, scored eight of her game-high 16 points in the fourth quarter and nudged No. 8 Searsport to a 33-32 stunner at Augusta Civic Center.

Searsport (13-7), also rising to Class C for the first time in many years, will face Madison in the semifinals at 4 p.m. Thursday. Richmond, which won the previous meetings 48-30 and 33-24, finished its season at 16-3.

Ogden turned the game with a steal and a fast break that led to a hard, intentional foul. She made the first of two free throws, and again sank one on the ensuing possession, to supply a 29-27 lead.

Caitlin Kendrick drew a 3-pointer at the other end and calmly sank all three free throws to restore Richmond’s led at the 1:03 mark. Ogden answered with two free throws, then a steal and a layup to make it a three-point margin with 13 seconds to go.

Ashley Abbott attempted the potential game-tying 3-pointer for the Bobcats. Sydney Tilton grabbed the rebound, then another carom after her own miss, before dropping in the basket that left Richmond one point shy as time expired.

Ogden added 12 rebounds and four steals for Searsport. Richmond challenged her with box-and-one and diamond-and-one defense throughout the game, with Sydney Tilton providing most of the coverage.

Tilton led Richmond with seven points and 13 rebounds. Mackenzie Abbott also scored seven points. Ashley Abbott added six.

Anna Bucklin scored seven points for Searsport, all in the first half, including one of three consecutive 3-pointers — Ogden hit the other two — that gave the Vikings their first lead early in the second period.

There were eight lead changes and three ties in the second half.

Searsport advanced despite shooting 8-for-21 from the free-throw line. Richmond was 4-for-9.

The Vikings are the second No. 8 seed to knock off No. 1 in the past three years in Class C South. Dirigo dropped St. Dom’s in 2014.

koakes@sunjournal.com

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