Seahawk and Wildcat basketball fans turned out in big numbers for home games during the 1996-1997 season. The varsity boys went to Augusta for the state tournament with an 18-0 record – but in one of the big upsets in tournament history, the top-seeded Seahawks were shocked by eighth-seeded Sacopee Valley, 56-54. Boothbay had a cold shooting night from the floor (and only four of 10 from the foul line in the final quarter), making only 22 of 55 shots while “Shockapee” shot 22 of 41 from the floor, according to Register sports reporter Keith Alley.

Better days would come, however, as the Boothbay Region Middle School Wildcats, featuring members of the 2001 state champion Seahawks, won the Busline League title for the second straight year, going undefeated both seasons. In 1997, BRMS took the title with a 62-49 victory over Camden.

Here we feature photos of some of the fans, players, coaches, cheerleaders and announcers from February 1997, as taken by John Edwards and Kevin Burnham.