Boothbay boys likely to make huge move upward in basketball standings
Entering the Jan. 18 contest with Maranacook, the Boothbay Seahawks had a 3-9 record and sat in 13th place in the Class C South boys' basketball Heal point standings. But a victory over the third-ranked Maranacook Black Bears (7-6) in Class B North standings may be the game which turns the Seahawks' season around.
Boothbay posted a 60-52 victory Jan. 18 at Porter Memorial Gymnasium over Maranacook. Boothbay led throughout the game and withstood losing three players who fouled out (Tyson French, Spencer Wenners and Gideon Bates) and a fourth (Aidric Canada) who finished with four fouls. The Seahawks also had five players who scored in double figures: French, 14; Les White, 12; and Canada and Peyton Barters with 11 each; and Simeon Bates had 10. Other Seahawk scorers were Wenners and Ethan Clark with one each.
Despite the Seahawks' sub-.500 record, Coach Dan Hallinan believed his team's recent play would result in more victories as the regular season came to an end. "I've been seeing this for a couple weeks. We've been trending upward and playing good basketball. We're playing hard and good things are starting to happen," he said. "I'm not surprised at all this happened."
In recent games, Boothbay seniors have taken a role as team leaders which has marked improved play. Hallinan praised point guard French for his ballhandling and scoring and Canada for his tough defense. Boothbay employed a triangle-and-two defense to focus their attention on two Black Bears top scorers.
"Aidric stayed right on him (Fontaine) and took him right out. I'm proud of all my guys and the whole team did a great job," Hallinan said.
Boothbay improves to 4-9.Maranacook falls to 7-6.
On Jan. 20, Boothbay travels to Auburn to play Class D No. 2 Saint Dom's (11-1). On Jan. 22, Boothbay takes on Class B Oak Hill (3-10).