Falmouth graduated its entire starting five from last season and has suffered the requisite growing pains this season. As the regular season winds down, the Yachtsmen are outside the tournament fold.

Falmouth stands in 11th place in the Heal point standings. Nine teams make the tournament.

The Yachtsmen haven’t missed the postseason for 27 years, combining their time in Class B and Class C.

Coach Dave Halligan, in his 24th season, has seen his team qualify each year. Last season his team won the Class B state championship with an overtime victory against Camden Hills at the Bangor Auditorium.

The Yachtsmen also have three Class C state championships under Halligan.

Adding to the frustration is the fact that Falmouth has been in some very close games.

Last week the Yachtsmen lost to Yarmouth in overtime and to top-ranked Greely by one point.

“We knew it might be a struggle this season because of the players we lost,” said Halligan. “We’re doing everything we can do to win. We’ve been just a couple of breaks away from pulling those games out. I can’t fault the kids; they’re working very hard.

“It’s definitely a new experience for us here at Falmouth. It’s all part of the process. It makes you want to work harder.”

It’s a learning experience for players getting their first varsity action. Knowing how to handle end-of-the-game pressure is part of the maturation process.

In addition to the state titles, Halligan’s teams have captured six Western Maine titles, five in Class C and one in Class B. Halligan is also approaching 400 career victories, which he could reach next season.

The Yachtsmen have only one senior in the starting lineup, so it doesn’t appear the program will be down for long.

THERE ARE SOME impressive scoring averages in classes A and B around the state.

Tyler McFarland, the 6-foot-6 All-Stater from Camden Hills, is averaging 26 points per game to lead the state.

Theo Bowe of Cape Elizabeth is tossing in 25 points per game. Bowe is healthy after missing last week’s game against Greely with the flu.

Some of the other notable scorers in the state over 20 points per game are Adam Jensen of Gray-New Gloucester; Bo Leary of Edward Little; Nolan Allen of Windham; Josh Britten of Yarmouth; Cam Kaubris of Mountain Valley; and Chris Braley of Nokomis.

YARMOUTH HELD a Tim White Night on Tuesday when the school’s boys’ and girls’ varsity teams played Freeport.

The Clippers wore T-shirts in warmups honoring White, the former Yarmouth Basketball Boosters’ president.

White died in December from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

White employed a “take less, give more” spirit in everything he did. The pamphlet that was handed out at the games included this passage, describing White:

“Our community was fortunate to have worked and played with such a remarkably compassionate and generous gentleman. Tim led our group with dedicated enthusiasm. He was the driving force behind the planning and construction of the Yarmouth High outdoor basketball courts.”

Plans are under way to install a plaque in White’s memory. The boosters also will award an annual scholarship in White’s name to a player who best emulates White’s philosophy of take less, give more.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:

tchard@pressherald.com

 

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