BANGOR, ME – MARCH 2, 2019 Boothbay Region High School’s Glory Blethen (10) kisses the gold ball as teammate Ashley Abbott (11) holds it as they are interviewed by Maine Public Television in the Class C state championship game at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor on Saturday, March 2, 2019. (Morning Sentinel photo by Michael G. Seamans/Staff Photographer) Michael G. Seamans
BANGOR — Down early, the Boothbay High School girls basketball team faced a gut check unlike any in saw in the regular season. Penobscot Valley went on an 11-point run, and the Seahawks found themselves down nine points.
“Our preparation for their zone pressure wasn’t adequate,” Boothbay coach Brian Blethen said.
After a tweak to the offensive attack, Boothbay rallied, taking the lead for good in the third quarter. The Seahawks pulled away down the stretch for a 33-25 win and the Class C state championship.
It was the first state title since 1984 for the Seahawks, who ended the season with a perfect 22-0 record. Penobscot Valley ends the season at 17-5.
“These guys were our biggest challenge,” Faith Blethen, Boothbay’s Miss Basketball finalist, said.
Blethen had nine points and 17 rebounds for the Seahawks.
The Howlers used an 11-0 first quarter run to take a 13-4 lead. For much of the first half, Penobscot Valley’s defensive pressure gave Boothbay fits. The Seahawks forced shots, or turned the ball over before finding an open look. Late in the second quarter, Boothbay went to an offense it has used when opponents used a triangle-and-two defense. That got separation for Seahawks shooters and more open looks.
“It didn’t bear a lot of fruit, but it gave us a different look against their zone pressure,” he said.
Boothbay took the lead for good when Ashley Abbott hit a pair of free throws, giving the Seahawks an 18-17 lead with 2:52 left in the first quarter. After a first half in which they were just 1-for-6 at the line, the Seahawks made 8-of-10 free throws in the second half. Penobscot Valley, on the other hand, struggled at the line all night, making just 4-of 16-foul shots.
Glory Belthen added nine points for the Seahawks.
“It was trusting each other. Our scoring in the postseason has been so even. All season we’ve been so committed to one another, and tonight it showed up,” Faith Blethen said.
Lexi Ireland led the Howlers with 18 points, scoring all 10 of Penobscot Valley’s second half points.
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