The Boothbay girls’ basketball team battled Narraguagus High School of Harrington through 11 lead changes Saturday night before succumbing to a fourth quarter surge. Narraguagus outscored Boothbay 12-3 in the final seven minutes in winning its first Class C State Basketball Championship, 33-25, at the Augusta Civic Center.

Narraguagus trailed 22-21 early in the fourth quarter before outscoring Boothbay 7-0, taking a 28-22 lead with 3:31 remaining. Seahawk guard Kate Friant scored her team’s only fourth quarter basket with three-pointer. But Boothbay got no closer.

Trailing by three, Boothbay abandoned its zone defense with 3:53 remaining. The strategy didn’t work as Knight senior forward Kelli Kennedy scored nine of her game high 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Boothbay coach Tanner Grover said the game came down to missing too many open shots.

“In all honesty, the ball didn’t bounce our way,” he said. “We had some good shots against their zone that just didn’t go down. It probably was one of our worst shooting nights, and it definitely came on the wrong night.”

Tanner said it was challenging gauging his northern Maine foe in the week leading up to the state game. He didn’t realize the quickness of the Knight guards or how talented Kennedy is.

“Our inability to score really hurt us, and in the end, Kennedy just took over, and we couldn’t stop her,” he said.

Boothbay started the game strong, hitting two of its first three shots and taking a 7-2 first quarter lead. Narraguagus responded by scoring the quarter’s next seven points.

In the second quarter, both teams went ice cold scoring a combined four points. The half ended tied 10-10.

Boothbay connected on only three of 16 first half shots. Narraguagus was only slightly better. The Knights made two of 13.

The two teams’ offenses clicked to start the second half. Boothbay outscored Narraguagus 12-10 in the third quarter. But Boothbay’s spurt was short-lived. The Knights’ zone forced Boothbay into too many long range shots. The Seahawks made only three of 21 three-point attempts.

Narraguagus coach Heather Thompson thought her team’s composure and intensity made the difference.

“We knew it would be a tough game. They have a talented, athletic and tall team, but it all came down to heart,” Thompson said. “We wanted it so badly, and the closer we got to the end, the harder we played.”

Narraguagus was led by a trio of seniors. Kennedy was held to four first half points before leading her team with 16 in the second half. Forward Cassidy Osgood scored five and guard Emily Reynolds had four.

Boothbay’s leading scorer was freshman guard Faith Blethen with nine. Senior guard Hannah Morley had six on two three-pointers. Junior guard Kate Friant and sophomore center Page Brown each had four, and junior forward Nicole Clark had two.

Blethen described Narraguagus as a tough defensive team which displayed high intensity throughout the game. She also enjoyed playing against a talented opponent in the pressure-packed environment.

“There was a bigger crowd and a lot more pressure than the regional final. We definitely felt the pressure,” she said. “But it was fun. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”

Narraguagus completes its first girls’ state championship basketball season at 19-2. This was Boothbay’s second appearance in the state final. Boothbay won its only state championship in 1984. The Seahawks finish the season at 20-2.