BANGOR — The Boothbay girls’ basketball team faced a gut check Saturday night unlike any it dealt with during the regular season. Penobscot Valley went on an 11-0 run in the Class C state final, and the Seahawks found themselves down nine points.
“Our preparation for their zone pressure wasn’t adequate,” Boothbay Coach Brian Blethen said.
After a tweak to the offense, Boothbay rallied and took the lead for good in the third quarter. The Seahawks pulled away down the stretch for a 33-25 win and their first state championship since 1984.
Boothbay ended the season with a 22-0 record. Penobscot Valley finished 17-5.
“These guys were our biggest challenge,” said Faith Blethen, Boothbay’s Miss Basketball finalist. Blethen had nine points and 17 rebounds.
The Howlers led 13-4 in the first quarter and stayed in front throughout the first half, as their defensive pressure gave Boothbay fits. The Seahawks forced shots or turned the ball over.
Late in the second quarter, Coach Blethen went to an offense the team has against a triangle-and-two defense. And Boothbay’s shooters started to get more open looks.
“It didn’t bear a lot of fruit, but it gave us a different look against their zone pressure,” he said.
Boothbay took the lead for good when Ashley Abbott hit a pair of free throws in the third quarter for an 18-17 advantage. After going 1 for 6 at the free-throw line in the first half, the Seahawks made 8 of 10 free throws in the second half. Penobscot Valley, on the other hand, made just 4 of 16 foul shots.
Glory Blethen added nine points for the Seahawks.
“It was trusting each other. Our scoring in the postseason has been so even. All season, we’ve been so committed to one another, and tonight it showed up,” Faith Blethen said.
Lexi Ireland led the Howlers with 18 points. She scored all 10 of Penobscot Valley’s second-half points.
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