Michaela Pettersen (12) of Woolwich puts up a shot between St. George defenders during the Busline League championship game on Wednesday. The Wildcats won, 44-43. (Submitted photo)
WOOLWICH — The Woolwich Central School boys and girls basketball teams captured the Busline championships on Wednesday with wins over St. George.
Girls
In the opening contest, Woolwich trailed 43-42 when Mady Rittall stole a pass and drove to the hoop for the game-winning layup with one second remaining for a thrilling 44-43 victory.
The teams matched up earlier in the season, with the Wildcats winning two close contests.
The game was close throughout. The teams were tied, 12-12, after a quarter. Woolwich took control in the second, using solid defense and transition buckets for a 27-20 halftime lead. Chasity Rutledge had six points in the frame to pace Woolwich.
St. George battled back in the third. Behind top scorer Breanah Morris, the Dragons drew to within three points, 34-31, heading to the fourth.
Mya Simmons gave St. George the late lead with a pair of free throws, and the Wildcats failed to score as the Dragons gained possession. Needing a steal or a foul, Rittall
Woolwich’s Haley Kirkpatrick looks to the basket during Wednesday’s Busline title game. (Submitted photo)
came through.
Rutledge led Woolwich with 16 points, while Haley Kirkpatrick added 13 points. Edie Mckay pitched in six, with Michaela Pettersen finishing with five and Rittall four.
Morris had 13 points for St. George, with Brooke Hoppe and Simmons pitching in 10 apiece.
The Wildcats take on North Division champion Lincolnville on Saturday at noon.
Boys
Top-seeded Woolwich had a close game as well, with Atticus Brown coming up big with the game-winning basket and key blocked shot as the Wildcats held on for a 58-56 victory over the Dragons.
Gavin Baillargeon calmly made a pair of free throws with three seconds left to secure the Wildcats’ win.
Woolwich started strong, sprinting to a 14-7 first-quarter lead as Baillargeon and Rainier Eich both hit a 3-pointer.
St. George chipped away in the second quarter, outscoring the Wildcats, 15-14, to close to 29-21 af the half. Baillargeon had 17 points at the break for Woolwich, while Nick Pesce and Andrew Card were solid on the defensive end.
The Dragons came out on fire in the third, putting up 23 points led by eight points each from Jack Elwell and Zeke Miller. The quarter ended with the teams deadlocked at 44.
Despite losing a pair of players to fouls in the fourth quarter, Woolwich stayed close and won the game late.
Woolwich guard Andrew Card (21) rises up to launch a shot during Wednesday’s Busline title game. (Submitted photo)
Baillargeon had a game-high 29 points in the win, while Card finished with 10, and Eich and David Brown 10 each. Elwell had 17 for St. George, with Miller pitching in 14.
The Wildcats meet North Division winner Hope on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Lincolnville Central School.
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