The Boothbay boys basketball team’s defense has shown sizable improvement in the past week by employing a 2-3 zone. In the middle of that zone is 6’7” senior Nick Simpson, who has started the last three games. With Simpson patrolling the defensive interior, Boothbay has won two of its past three games.

On Jan. 12, Boothbay won an important game in Mountain Valley Conference action with a 61-44 victory over Madison. Last week, Boothbay struggled on both offense and defense which led to an unexpected loss to Carrabec. But Simpson’s expanded role has been a major factor in the team’s play. In the past week, Boothbay’s defense was a main factor in victories over Wiscasset and Madison. Team defense also kept the game close for three quarters on Jan. 10 against No. 1 Hall-Dale. 

Simpson scored five points, but his defense has bolstered Boothbay’s overall play. “He’s making a difference. Teams are finding it a little intimidating about going inside on him,” said Boothbay coach I.J. Pinkham.

The improved defense is also providing Boothbay more opportunities to score in transition. So far this season, point guard Kyle Ames has been the team’s primary scorer. Ames finished with 11 points, but guard Steve Reny added 18 and forward Hunter Crocker led all scorers with 26. Crocker believes the team is starting to play better as a unit on both offense and defense which may lead to continued improvement.

“We played well together, tonight. This is the best game we’ve played all year,” Crocker said. “In past games, I had a bigger opponent on me, but tonight, they really keyed on Kyle, so I had a better match-up which allowed me to score a lot of backdoor layups.”

Seahawk forward Nick Morley had six points.

Boothbay is now 6-4 and in sixth place in the Class C South boys basketball Heal point standings. Madison drops to 4-7 and is in ninth place.

Boothbay’s next game is on Tuesday, Jan. 16 against Mountain Valley in Rumford. Mountain Valley is 5-5 and in fifth place in the Class B South standings.