PORTLAND—Ever since last year’s regional semifinal round loss to Greely, Falmouth’s girls’ basketball team has eagerly awaited an opportunity to return to the James Banks Portland Exposition Building.

Monday evening, the fourth-ranked Navigators finally took the big floor again and showed what they’re capable of.

Much to the chagrin of the fifth-seeded Marshwood Hawks.

Falmouth trailed early, 2-1, then went ahead to stay on a driving layup from senior standout Anna Turgeon. The Navigators held an 11-7 lead after one quarter, then extended it to 26-19 at halftime, as Turgeon had 12 points.

Junior Emily Abbott then stepped into a starring role in the third period, scoring eight points, and Falmouth took a 40-30 advantage to the fourth.

There, the Hawks got as close as five, but the Navigators didn’t waver and went on to a 48-39 victory.

Turgeon led all scorers with 22 points, Abbott added 16 and Falmouth improved to 12-7, ended Marshwood’s season at 12-7 and in the process, advanced to take on top-ranked Brunswick (17-2) in the semifinals Wednesday at 2:45 p.m., at the Expo.

“It was really important to win this game,” said Turgeon. “We knew Marshwood would be a tough game for us. We came out with a lot of energy.”

Playing from ahead

Falmouth might have been the team to beat in Class A South had senior Sloane Ginevan been able to play this winter. Ginevan, who suffered a knee injury last spring while playing lacrosse, wasn’t able to take the floor, but she’s served as a de facto cheerleader/assistant coach.

The Navigators, led by Turgeon, got off to a 9-3 start, but lost four of their final six contests (see sidebar for links to previous stories), including a home game to Kennebunk in overtime in the finale.

“That loss was definitely motivation to get better and move forward,” said Abbott.

“We came back from the loss to Kennebunk and treated it like a new day and prepared for playoffs,” Turgeon said.

Marshwood, one of the top teams in Class A South in recent seasons, enjoyed a pair of five-game win streaks this year, but dropped its final three games to wind up in the No. 5 spot.

The teams split this year, each winning on the road, with the Hawks prevailing, 35-26, and Falmouth winning, 46-34.

Marshwood won the lone prior playoff meeting, 42-24, in the 2020 semifinals.

Monday, the Navigators relied on not just the expected star, Turgeon, but Abbott came up huge as well to help spark victory.

Falmouth got the game’s first point on a free throw from senior Katie Lozoraitis, but a driving bank shot from senior Mia Constantakos put the Hawks up for the only time in the game.

With 6:06 left in the opening stanza, Turgeon drove for a layup and the Navigators were ahead to stay.

Abbott added a jumper for her first points and after a bank shot from Marshwood senior Shelby Anderson, junior Maddy Christman scored on a putback, then Lozoraitis drove for a layup to make it 9-4.

After senior Daniella Aceto made a free throw for the Hawks, sophomore Sarah Theriault sank a pair to cut the deficit to two, but Turgeon’s late leaner gave Falmouth an 11-7 lead.

In the second quarter, Constantakos scored on a putback, but Turgeon countered with a long 3-point shot, then Abbott did the same.

“Making one definitely got my confidence up,” said Abbott. “Anna and I like to play off each other. We set each other screens. When one of us is hitting, I feel like the other one is to.”

Senior Justine Means then set up Turgeon for a layup before Turgeon stepped back and buried a long 3-pointer to make it 22-9.

“I got off to a good start and that helped my confidence,” said Turgeon.

Sophomore Tia Anderson ended the run with a free throw and Theriault scored on a putback before senior Savannah Nashwinter’s 3 cut the deficit to seven.

Lozoraitis then made a layup after a steal, but Anderson scored on a putback.

With 6 seconds to go, Abbott banked home a shot, but it would be Marshwood going into the break with momentum, as Nashwinter took a pass from Constantakos and made a layup at the horn to cut the Navigators’ lead to 26-19.

In the first half, Turgeon had 12 points, but 13 Falmouth turnovers kept the Hawks within hailing distance.

Abbott remained hot when the second half commenced, hitting a 3.

Anderson countered with a jumper, but a Turgeon putback kept the lead at 10 points, 31-21.

After a Constantakos 3-ball, Abbott made a jumper, Turgeon scored on a leaner with her left hand, then with 2:43 to go in the quarter, Abbott’s jumper gave the Navigators their largest lead, 37-24.

Marshwood refused to buckle, however, getting a 3-pointer from sophomore Tia Anderson, then a free throw from Anderson and after Abbott made a foul shot and junior Peaches Stucker took a pass from Abbott and made a layup on the fastbreak, a jumper from junior Kaley Donovan pulled the Hawks within 40-30 heading for the fourth period.

There, senior Ruby Foss hit a jumper, then Theriault converted an old-fashioned three-point play (layup, foul and free throw) and with 6:05 remaining, Marshwood was only down by five.

Out of a Falmouth timeout, the Hawks would have a chance to draw even closer, but Foss missed a 3 and the next time down the floor, Marshwood turned the ball over.

With 4:29 left, Abbott made a free throw, then with 3:07 to go, Turgeon put home her own miss for a little breathing room.

“In the timeout, Coach (Dawn Armandi) said, ‘We’re winning, don’t rush anything, get good open shots,’ and we did that,” Turgeon said.

“They made it close, so I had to call timeout to remind the girls we had a lead,” Armandi said. “We settled the nerves, took a deep breath and went back out and executed.”

A Theriault putback pulled the Hawks within six with 2:25 remaining, but 39 seconds later, Turgeon hit foul shots.

Aceto made a layup with 1:23 to go, but that proved to be it for Marshwood’s offense and after Turgeon essentially clinched it with two more free throws, Christman made one more and Falmouth was able to celebrate a 48-39 victory.

“It was important to take time off the clock and keep the offense going as much as we could,” Abbott said. “We kept our defensive intensity up and we didn’t take our foot off the gas.”

“It helped our confidence knowing we were ahead,” Turgeon said. “We were in a good mindset. We didn’t have to stress. We could just take time off the clock and do our thing.”

“It came down to reminding them that it’s their third time here and we had the tools we need to get it done,” Armandi added. “We had to play together as a team. We’ve talked about getting a lead and keeping our composure. We had to take care of the ball and get good looks since the pressure wasn’t on. ”

Turgeon had a game-high 22 points and 12 rebounds, as well as two steals and two blocked shots.

“Anna is a fighter,” said Armandi. “She’s a competitor out there. People underestimate that aspect of her. She goes out there and does it on both ends. She won’t just stop because she’s getting face-guarded.”

Abbott added 16 points and four rebounds.

“Emily stepped up big tonight,” said Turgeon. “Emily’s a great point guard. She controlled the tempo for us.”

“It’s hard to say Emily’s stepped up, because honestly, she’s done it all year long,” Armandi said. “She’s playing with so much confidence. She shoots well and plays well defensively. She brings it at both ends every night. I’ve seen tremendous advancement in her game this year. She put in the work in the offseason. She wants it and it’s showing.”

Lozoraitis finished with five points and four assists, Christman had three points, five rebounds and three steals and Stucker contributed two points off the bench.

The Navigators overcame 8-of-15 foul shooting and 18 turnovers.

Marshwood was paced by Theriault, who had nine points. Constantakos added seven, Shelby Anderson had six, Tia Anderson and Nashwinter finished with five apiece, Aceto had three and Donovan and Foss tallied two each.

The Hawks had a 33-30 rebound advantage, but turned the ball over 19 times and made just 6-of-16 free throws.

Ready for the challenge

Falmouth lost at home to Brunswick, 61-36, Dec. 22, then fell at the Dragons in a much closer affair, 42-37, Jan. 24.

Brunswick rolled to a 74-25 victory in the teams’ lone prior playoff meeting, in the 2018 quarterfinals.

The Dragons have been the team to beat all season, but the Navigators believe they have what it takes to get the job done.

“We need to keep our defensive intensity going and get shots up,” said Abbott.

“Last time, we only lost by five, so we think we can beat them,” Turgeon said. “We just need to bring it defensively and try to shut down their shooters and box out.”

“We have nothing to lose,” added Armandi. “Brunswick’s a tremendous team. They’re stacked from 1 to 8. They have girls who can come off the bench and do damage. They can shoot and go in-and-out. It’s going to take everything’s we got, but it’s a great opportunity for us. We’re familiar with each other. Hopefully it’ll be a great game that comes down to the last basket.”

Sports Editor Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.

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