After four years, several all-conference team selections and a top seed heading into the state tournament, Booothbay Region High School senior Anthony DiMauro came one bucket shy of a major milestone.

But 998 points or 1,000 for a career in the regular season didn't seem to bother DiMauro much as the Seahawks achieved what he really wanted.

“I didn't really care, as long as we got the win.” DiMauro said.

The Seahawks had defeated the Wiscasset Woverines February 7, in what could be the final chapter of a rivalry that DiMauro said made up his favorite memories playing high school basketball.

Now, the team's focus shifts past milestones and rivalries and towards adding a second championship banner to the rafters.

Last season, the Seahawks entered the state tournament ranked third when they were knocked out in the first round by Old Orchard Beach. The upset brought the 2012 season to an abrupt end.

This year, senior co-captain Linc Simmons said he thinks things will be different.

“Our chemistry this year has been better than any other year,” he said.

Senior teammate Kameron Markee and DiMauro both attested that their team is much more focused going into the tournament.  

At the beginning of the season very few people, including Coach I. J. Pinkham, anticipated that the Seahawks would go 17-1 and wind up at the top of Western Class C Conference.

“I think we're in a good position, but there's a lot of things that have to happen to be successful up there,” Pinkham said. “I have to avoid injuries, we have to avoid foul trouble. There's just things we've got to do that we don't do every night.”

Pinkham said his team this year is a physically tough group of kids who consistently work hard, and show up on time to practice every day. While last season ended in upset, Pinkham said he thinks maturity has played a large part in this year's squad.  

“I just want to see them enjoy what would happen if we could win three games in Augusta,” Pinkham said who in his 36th year coaching Boothbay basketball, is no stranger to the Western Maine finals.  “I've had that opportunity a lot, but these seniors won't get another shot at this, so hopefully we can make the best of the opportunity we have,” he said.

The Seahawks have a bye for the first round of the state tournament, and will play the winner of St. Dominic Academy (7-11) and Wiscasset (10-8) during February vacation week.

Boothbay seniors said they perceive Dirigo (17-1) and Waynflete (15-1) as the biggest threat in the post-season. The Seahawks delivered Dirigo its only loss of the season January 24, but haven't had the opportunity to play Waynflete that competes in the same class but in the Western Maine Conference.