It was 11 p.m., February 21 at the Wiscasset bridge when Deputy Sheriff Brent Barter boarded the Boothbay school bus.

The Lady Seahawks were coming home from the Augusta Civic Center after a hard-fought loss to the Waynflete Flyers.

Fire trucks from four towns met up with the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office at the Boothbay town line, along with the Boothbay Harbor Police Department and the Boothbay Region Ambulance service.

With lights flashing and sirens blaring, the Lady Seahawks were escorted through Boothbay Harbor at 11:30 p.m.

When Barter boarded the bus he said the girls were ecstatic and had tears and their eyes. Barter told the Lady Seahawks that they wanted to recognize the girls for what they've done for their community.

The Lady Seahawks finished this season 18-3, one of the best records in the history of Boothbay basketball.

When a team goes that far in the tournaments the towns traditionally honor the team with a full escort. “We wanted to make sure that they got appreciated for the season that they had and the effort they put in,” Barter said.

“It's a big accomplishment, and they've made it very far. And they should be proud.”