OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Waynflete’s boys’ basketball team hasn’t had many close games this season, but the Flyers showed Saturday afternoon they can handle a bit of adversity.
The reigning Western Class C champions couldn’t close out a victory over Old Orchard Beach in regulation, allowing the Seagulls to force a turnover in the final minute and score a late basket that sent the game into overtime. Waynflete kept its composure, however, and made five of six free throws in the extra session to secure a 61-56 win.
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“These kids have hit some huge free throws over the course of this season so far. So I think we have some confidence stepping up,” said Waynflete Coach Rich Henry.
Milo Belleau scored 22 points for Waynflete (10-1).
“I tried to be aggressive overall throughout the game. I thought I did a pretty good job of that,” said Belleau.
“They put pressure on us at points so that it makes it a little more difficult. I thought we did a really good job staying composed.”
Waynflete had a two-point lead and possession of the ball late in regulation. Old Orchard Beach (6-7) elected not to foul, and instead trapped the Flyers’ guards on the perimeter in hopes of forcing a turnover. The tactic worked, as an errant pass went out of bounds with 22.3 seconds on the clock.
“Fifty seconds is a long time left in a game. You saw what happened; they turned it over and we had a chance,” said Old Orchard Beach Coach John Regan.
“We knew that was coming (the defensive trap), and we talked about being strong with the ball, and we ended up throwing it away, which happens when you’re in these types of pressure situations, but (we) were able to bounce back,” said Henry.
After getting the ball across half court, OOB called a timeout. The inbounds pass was well-defended, forcing the Seagulls to stray from the play they drew up.
“It didn’t get to where we wanted it to,” said Regan. “And from that point, the kids know if you have a good look, if you have a good shot, take it.”
The ball ended up in Erik Hogan’s hands, and he buried a jumper from the free-throw line to tie the score with 8.1 seconds remaining.
“He did a nice job, he usually does. He runs the offense and he had a big shot at the end for us. He’s steady,” said Regan.
Hogan and Zach Hirst each scored 14 points and Bryan Roberts added 13 for OOB.
“I thought we played hard. We competed and we had our chances to win the game. Waynflete is a very good team,” said Regan.
Old Orchard held a 34-26 lead at halftime, thanks in large part to a 25-point second quarter.
Waynflete guard Harry Baker-Connick scored six of his 12 points in the third quarter as Waynflete cut the deficit to 48-46.
“They took it to us early, in the first half, and then in the third quarter I thought we rebounded pretty well and we got back in the game,” said Baker-Connick. “Then it was back and forth in the fourth quarter and overtime. Hats off to them, they’re a good team, but I’m glad we got the ‘W’.”
The Seagulls, ranked 11th in Western Class C, missed a chance for their biggest win of the season.
“Heartbreaking game, I’m sure, for Old Orchard,” said Henry. “They played really, really well, hats off to them.
“I’m really proud of the way our kids stepped up. We were down eight at (the) half and we talked about grinding it out possession by possession, and they did that.”
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