PORTLAND — Top-ranked Falmouth ran out of comebacks and headfirst into Chris Knaub of Yarmouth on Saturday.
Knaub was unconscious from 3-point range, scoring a career-high 26 points to lead the third-seeded Clippers to a 56-50 win for the Western Class B boys’ basketball title at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
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Yarmouth (17-4) withstood a furious rally from Falmouth (20-1) to advance to its first state final since 1973. The Clippers won a Class C state title in 1968.
Yarmouth will play Gardiner for the state title at 9 p.m. Friday at Bangor.
There were enough twists and turns in the final moments on Saturday for three games.
“There were turnovers after turnovers,” said Yarmouth guard Sam Torres. “We did our best to hang on.”
Yarmouth missed four straight free throws in the final minute. Falmouth stepped out of bounds trying to call a timeout, then lost possession on a throw-in when the player shuffled his feet.
“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,” said Falmouth Coach Dave Halligan.
But all told, there was some exciting action, befitting a regional final.
“The action was back and forth,” said Knaub, a 6-foot-2 senior.
Knaub made five 3-pointers and added to his repertoire with a reverse layup late in the game.
“(Knaub) is the glue for us,” said Coach Adam Smith. “He saw an opening and stepped forward. We needed someone to help Josh Britten and he took us on his shoulders.”
Knaub said, “I was just feeling it in warmups. I carried it on to the court. This is picture-perfect. After losing in last year’s regional final, it’s great to win this time.”
Even though Falmouth trailed by 14 at halftime and by nine after three quarters, a run was no surprise. The Yachtsmen have been making comebacks all season, including in the semifinals against York.
Led by Jack Cooleen, who scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half, the Yachtsmen climbed back in.
After Knaub’s reverse layup provided a 53-46 lead with 1:45 left, Alex Cattell of Falmouth hit a 3-pointer.
Cooleen followed with a huge block, but moments later Matt Packard fouled out for the Yachtsmen, a big loss. Cooleen made 1 of 2 from the line with 1:03 left.
The next few moments seemed like neither club wanted to win, swapping possessions before Yarmouth scored the final three points from the line.
“We’re not a good foul-shooting team and we’re not adverse to making mistakes,” said Smith. “But one thing we do is stick together and play a full 32 minutes. We made a few less mistakes than Falmouth did.”
Yarmouth lost twice to Falmouth in the regular season, by four, then by three points in overtime.
Halligan said Falmouth dug too deep a hole.
“We lived on the edge all season and it caught up with us,” he said. “We lost to a very good team. I can’t fault my kids. They gave everything they had. I feel bad for them but I’m also happy for the Yarmouth kids. They worked so hard to achieve this.”
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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