Seahawks Basketball

Pirates hold off late Boothbay charge to win 61-54

Sun, 03/03/2013 - 1:15am

Keith Alley, Sports Reporter

Andrew Hallinan, Anthony DiMauro and Nick Kilgus pressure Trevor Lyford in the fourth quarter. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The proud Seahawks hold up their state runner-up trophy for Seahawk Nation. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Andrew Hallinan gets ready to launch one of his two three-pointers in the fourth quarter. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Andrew Hallinan, Anthony DiMauro and Nick Kilgus pressure Trevor Lyford in the fourth quarter. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The proud Seahawks hold up their state runner-up trophy for Seahawk Nation. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

Andrew Hallinan gets ready to launch one of his two three-pointers in the fourth quarter. KEVIN BURNHAM/Boothbay Register

The Seahawks' quest for a second state championship was derailed by the Penquis Valley Patriots on March 2 in Bangor as the Eastern Maine Champs used seven three-pointers and 24 free throws to come away with a 61-54 victory in the last game at the Mecca. Trailing by 13 in the fourth period, the Seahawks rallied to cut the lead to just one with 38 seconds left after Andrew Hallinan drained his second three-pointer in 30 seconds. After two of 17 free throws (17-20) in the period by Penquis, the Boothbay dream ended when the Patriots' Isaiah Bess sealed the win with a steal and hoop to push the lead to five.

Penquis used a very deliberate offense and a stifling defense in a successful attempt to slow down the Seahawks uptempo game, limiting their posessions.

The Seahawks got off to a good start, with Lincoln Simmons scoring the first five points on a hoop from the lane, and a three-pointer, holding Penquis scoreless for the first 3:35 of the game. But the Patriots' patient offense led to back-to-back three-pointers by Trevor Lyford and Bess. Penquis was in the midst of a 13-2 run that included one more three-pointer and a four-point play by Bess as he was fouled while hitting from behind the arc. A drive into the lane for a hoop by Hallinan, who finished with a team-high 16 points, cut the lead to four after eight minutes.

Eight straight to start the second pushed the lead to 12 before Evan Hepburn kept Boothbay alive with a pair of hoops. His brother, John, was sitting on the bench after two early fouls. Simmons scored inside, and Anthony DiMauro, the main focus of the Penquis defense, scored the last hoop of the half to cut the lead to eight.

Bess opened the third quarter with a stop and pop on the break, his second dunk of the night and two free throws to push the lead back to a dozen. With Penquis in no hurry to shoot, the Seahawks were forced to foul, fueling the parade to the free throw line.

Anthony Dimauro wrapped up a remarkable four-year career with eight fourth period points, finishing with 15 points. The Seahawks close out a memorable season with a 20-2 mark.

Quick recap:

Game Over: Penquis wins 61-54.

Third Quarter: Penquis leads 40-31.

Second Quarter: At the half, Penquis still ahead 25-17.

First Quarter: Penquis leads Boothbay 13-9.