Boothbay Region erased a nine point first half deficit in taking a brief two point lead in the third in Thursday’s Class C South Boys’ basketball semifinal, but the Seahawks resurgence was short lived.

No. 2 Winthrop outscored Boothbay Region 14-2 in the game’s last 10:37. And the Ramblers defeated Boothbay Region, 45-31, to earn a spot in Saturday’s regional final against Waynflete.

Boothbay Region struggled the entire contest against the Winthrop full-court,  man-to-man defense. The Seahawks’ offense committed 16 first half turnovers and trailed the Ramblers 25-16 at halftime.

Boothbay Region seemingly had a second wind to start the third quarter. The Seahawks outscored Winthrop 12-2 in taking a 31-29 lead with 2:37 remaining in the quarter. Forward Nick Gorey started the comeback scoring the half’s first two baskets. Forward Abel Bryer hit a 12-foot baseline jumper. Guard Jacob Leonard scored the next two baskets which Gorey followed with another hoop. The Seahawk surge resulted in its only lead, 31-29.

Winthrop’s tough, physical defense confounded the Seahawk offense. Boothbay Region committed another 12 second half turnovers. The Seahawks finished with 28 turnovers in total.

Boothbay Region coach I.J. Pinkham said his team struggled the entire game against the Ramblers’ defense.

“They took us completely out of our offense. We couldn’t get the ball close enough to get it to Abel,” Pinkham said. “We came out in the second half and scored some baskets in transition, but we still couldn’t generate any points in the half court.”

Winthrop played full-court man-to-man defense for the entire contest. The constant pressure prevented Boothbay Region from running an effective offense.

“They keep the ball out of you’re hands and when you do get it you’re too far away to score,” Gorey said.

The Seahawks’ comeback may not have happened if it wasn’t for their own strong defensive performance. Pinkham employed a Box-and-One defense. He assigned Gorey to defend Rambler guard Jacob Hickey while the others played zone.

“Our defense was very good. We just couldn’t score any points,” Pinkham said.

Winthrop committed 11 first half turnovers and finished with 18 total.

Nick Gorey was the leading Seahawk scorer with 11. Other Boothbay scorers were Bryer, 11, and guard Kyle Ames and Leonard had five a piece.

Boothbay Region finishes with a 12-8 record. Winthrop is now 17-3.