In a battle of heavyweight boys basketball teams in Class C South, host Winthrop made some key free throws in the final minute to secure a 65-61 win over the Boothbay Region Seahawks Wednesday night, Jan. 23.

The game was tight throughout with the 10-3 Seahawks playing well against the now 12-1 and top-seeded Ramblers on the road. Boothbay led at every quarter break, 14-12, 33-29 and 45-44.  However, the shots wouldn’t fall and turnovers hurt the Seahawks in the final 30 seconds while Winthrop made good from the free throw line.

With about 1:20 left in the game, the Seahawks led by two and had possession of the ball. The Seahawks then turned the ball over on three successive possessions, and Winthrop took a three-point lead. At that point the Seahawks were forced to foul to try and gain possession of the ball.  Winthrop went 6 for 8 from the foul line in the final minutes.

Winthrop’s 6’8” center Cam Wood led all scorers with 27 points. Cam Hatchey and Jared McLaughlin each added 12 points for the Ramblers.

Boothbay’s top scorers were Hunter Crocker with 26 (six rebounds), Ben Pearce with 13 (eight rebounds) and Steve Reny with 10.

“I was really pleased with the team’s effort,” said Seahawk coach I.J. Pinkham. “They handled Winthrop's pressure very well, and did a nice job adjusting to some defensive changes we made at halftime to contain Cam Wood. We had some unforced turnovers in the final minutes that hurt.  We now know we can play with the good teams.”  

Now 10-4, Boothbay will now travel to Wiscasset on Friday, Jan. 25 to play the 1-12 Wolverines. The team’s final road game of the regular season will be Tuesday, Jan. 29 at Lisbon. The Seahawks’ final two games are at home against Mt. Abram (Jan. 31) and Telstar (Feb. 6).

This article has been updated from its original posting.