OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Sophomore Evan Christensen finished with a double-double and the Old Orchard Beach boys’ basketball team earned its first win of the season, beating North Yarmouth Academy 66-41 on Monday night.
Christensen was a force offensively and on the board for the Seagulls (1-2), finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“I really don’t know what to say, it’s just good to get our first win,” said Christensen.
Christensen also had five assists and four steals.
“I thought he did a great job rebounding the basketball,” said Old Orchard Beach Coach John Regan. “I thought he played a great game.”
Added North Yarmouth Coach Jason Knight: “(Christensen is) an active player. The boys were more concerned with making sure he didn’t stay on the outside shooting 3s so we lost track of him a couple times there.”
NYA (1-3) was down by three, 30-27, at halftime but Christensen (eight points) helped OOB take control in the third quarter. The Seagulls outscored the Panthers 19-7 in the third.
“I just thought I’d be more aggressive going to the hoop,” Christensen said. “I was kind of soft (in the first half).”
“We came out and played fairly well in the third so we extended that (lead). And Evan took over a little bit. He took the ball to spots where he could be successful and he converted,” said Regan.
The Seagulls jumped to a 14-5 lead in the first quarter. The Panthers then went on a 13-5 run and got within one at the end of the quarter on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Jacob Sturgess.
“We got down a little early in the first quarter but I was really pleased with our effort to battle back. Defensively we did a couple of things differently tonight to try and stay in the game,” said Knight.
Zach Hirst added 16 points and Sam Custeau had 10 points to go with seven rebounds for the Seagulls.
Eoin Anderson scored 16 points for the Panthers.
“We need better effort to close the game and (better effort) on the boards,” said Knight.
Old Orchard Beach plays Waynflete (3-0) on Friday night.
“They’re a good team and they have some good skill players. It will be a tough game,” said Regan.
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