AUGUSTA — It was the best of times for the Old Orchard Beach boys basketball team leading into its Western Maine Class C regional final game. But after halftime, it soon became the worst of times.
Down just 10 points midway in their contest against Dirigo on Saturday night at the Augusta Civic Center, the bottom dropped out on the Seagulls in their magical 2011-12 season, as Dirigo outscored them 41-20 in the second half. The Cougars won the Western Maine Class C crown with 69-38.
“(Dirigo) scored quickly, and in bunches,” Old Orchard Beach head coach John Regan said. “Then it kind of slipped away a little bit. But the effort the kids gave, I’m pleased, they played hard.”
Old Orchard Beach, which entered the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, finished the season 13-8. It’s the furthest the Gulls have gone since 1994, when they lost to Schenck in the Class C final. Dirigo (20-1), the No. 1 seed, will play against Lee Academy on March 3 in Augusta in the state title game. It’s the fourth consecutive regional title for Dirigo, looking for its first state championship since 1983.
Down 19-6 after the first quarter, the Gulls fought back with a 9-0 run, and midway through the second quarter trailed 21-17. It was the closest Old Orchard Beach came to taking back the lead from the Cougars.
From the tipoff, it was all Dirigo. The Cougars nailed three of their four 3-pointers in the first quarter, and were led offensively throughout the entire contest by forward Cody St. Germain, who scored a game-high 24 points. St. Germain was awarded the C. Harry Edwards award for top individual play in the Western Maine Class C tournament.
“When you’ve been playing the 2-3 zone like we’ve been playing, teams haven’t (scored) against us,” Regan said. “All of a sudden, they’re attacking our strength, and they’re scoring ”¦ that made it difficult.”
The Gulls showed glimpses of what got them to the tournament. Old Orchard Beach forward Quincy Grace led the team with 13 points, while sophomore guard Joe Gildard, who had a breakout performance in the playoffs, followed with 12 points. In his four playoff games, Gildard averaged 15.3 points per game.
Unfortunately for the Gulls, only three other players scored in the contest, with Andrew Fleury netting eight points, Anthony Langella-Laws scoring three points and Jeremy Legere picking up two points.
Aside from St. Germain, two other Dirigo players scored 10 points or more in the contest, with Josh Turbide scoring 14 points and Ben Holmes scoring 11 points.
It was the final game for Fleury, Legere, Mike Rague, Cody Stack and Cole Hamilton. During their career, the class went to the semifinals or higher in three consecutive seasons.
Nine players return, however, making a return to the regional final a possibility next season for the Gulls.
“Next year, we’re coming in with four kids that start,” Regan said. “Now it’s just putting the other pieces together.”
— Contact Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 323 or follow on Twitter @Dave_Dyer.
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