Finally, after 41 years, they’ll need to make more space for another girls’ basketball banner in the Wells High gymnasium.
With senior Franny Ramsdell and sophomore Grace Boucher leading a fourth-quarter charge, Wells defeated Yarmouth 41-37 Friday afternoon in the Class B South championship game at Cross Insurance Arena.
The Warriors had to hold off a frenetic rally by the Clippers, who got within two points early in the fourth quarter. But Ramsdell and Boucher combined for five foul shots in the final 86 seconds to put Wells into a state championship game for the first time since 1979.
Wells (15-6) will play either Waterville or Hermon, who play Saturday for the Class B North title, next Friday evening in Bangor for the state championship. The Warriors have never won a state title, and only have the 1979 banner to celebrate a regional championship.
“We’ve talked about that,” said Ramsdell, who scored eight of her 12 points in the fourth quarter and was presented the Mike DiRenzo award, given to the outstanding player in the regional tournament. “We want to get our names up on another banner. We were so ready for this. It’s such an unreal feeling.”
The victory didn’t come easily for the third-seeded Warriors, who used an inside advantage to take a 15-7 lead in the first quarter. Wells built its lead to 10 points in the second quarter, but committed 17 turnovers over the second and third quarters. Yarmouth climbed back to within 25-21 entering the fourth.
“It was more about relaxing the kids at halftime,” said Yarmouth Coach Dave Cousins. “Look where we’ve come from, look where we’ve been, look where the program’s going. You can’t hang your head. You just have to go play.”
The fifth-seeded Clippers, who finished 12-9 with three of the losses to Wells, got within two immediately in the fourth on a Margaret McNeil basket. But Ramsdell responded with a drive, then Boucher hit the biggest shot of the game for Wells, a 3-pointer from the left corner that made it 30-23.
“I haven’t had the best season shooting,” said Boucher, who hit three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points. “I was in a funk. Tonight I was confident. I was feeling it. My teammates were getting me hyped up. They helped me get my mind set. And I took the shot and it felt good to make it.
“I felt so confident in my shot today. It was definitely different.”
Yarmouth kept fighting back. Sophomore Katelyn D’Appolonia scored eight of her 17 in the fourth. Freshman Ava Feeley hit a 3-pointer from the left corner with 3:17 left. Then McNeil (13 points) scored a three-point play with 51.2 seconds left to pull the Clippers within 40-37.
But Ramsdell hit 4 of 4 free-throw attempts and Boucher made 1 of 2 in the final 1:26 to keep Wells ahead. Boucher’s free throw with 26.3 seconds left made it 41-37. Yarmouth’s last three possessions would end with a Ramsdell steal and two missed shots.
“We just were able to stem the tide each time,” said Wells Coach Don Abbott. “Get it back up to six, seven. I know it was never comfortable but … every possession we were able to play from ahead. And that’s huge.”
Ramsdell, who struggled for three quarters, stepped up as well in the fourth.
“When the game is on the line, she wanted the ball in her hands,” said Abbott.
That she won the DiRenzo award was just icing for Ramsdell.
“It just adds to the the moment, the most amazing feeling ever,” said Ramsdell. “Now I can’t wait for another week of practice.”
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