As time wound down in the Busline League Southern Division boys basketball championship game, Boothbay fans went from deflated to elated in an instant. Trailing 48-46, Boothbay’s last chance was fading away as an errant rebound was heading out-of-bounds with precious few seconds remaining. Wildcat forward Chase Licursi sprinted for the ball. Secured it. Pirouetted, and flung a desperation shot which found nothing but net, with one second remaining. Licursi scored 13, but the final three were by far the biggest, and most likely, the most improbable of his playing days.

No. 2 Boothbay beat No. 1 Nobleboro, 49-48, in Nobleboro capturing the division championship. Boothbay improves to 14-1 avenging their lone loss of the year to Nobleboro (14-1).

But a lesser miracle happened prior to Licursi’s heroics. Boothbay trailed by 14 with a little more than five minutes remaining. The Wildcats then connected on five 3-pointers in the final quarter to capture the title. 

For Boothbay coach Dennis Dacus, the buzzer-beater and furious fourth quarter rally was a cliche which became reality. “When you talk about never giving up and playing hard for the entire game, this game was a perfect example of why,” he said. 

Lessie White had 14 points. Peyton Barter added 10 points for the champion Wildcats.

Boothbay advances to the Busline League Small School Championship game against Lincolnville Central School at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Wiscasset Middle High School gymnasium.