PORTLAND – With a week to prepare for his team’s Western Class B boys’ basketball quarterfinal, York Coach Randy Small reached for his football coach’s practice plan book.

The Wildcats watched video of their opponent for three days, studied a 24-page scouting report and focused solely on their assignments.

All that preparation paid off Saturday. The third-ranked Wildcats held on for a 52-47 victory over the sixth-seeded Hornets at the Portland Expo.

“I told the kids we won in practice,” said Small, who is also the football coach. “We had an incredible week of practice. They studied (the scouting report), they learned it. They didn’t say anything. They just got to work and got on the bus.”

York built an early lead against the Hornets, then had to rally in the final minutes, finishing with a 7-1 run. Kyle Robinson scored all of his 11 points in the final quarter, and Aaron Todd added seven.

The Wildcats (15-4) will play second-ranked Cape Elizabeth at 9 p.m. on Thursday at the Cumberland County Civic Center. York beat the Capers twice in the regular season.

York led for much of the fast-paced game, taking a 34-32 lead into the fourth quarter.

Then two 3-pointers by Tim Dow and the inside play of Jordan Hersom helped the Hornets (14-5) take a 46-45 lead with 2:45 remaining.

“We were confident,” said Todd. “We’ve come back numerous times to win a game. We’re pretty good at it.”

York came back with defense, switching between a 1-3-1 zone and man-to-man, and changing up its press.

Robinson hit two foul shots with 2:10 left to give York the lead for good, 47-46. A minute later, Todd scored inside off a Zach Leal pass. Robinson then scored on a fast break, assisted by Liam Langaas, and it was 51-46.

“They did a good job at the end,” said Leavitt Coach Mike Hathaway. “They happened to make the last run.”

York struggled in the third quarter, missing five foul shots. But it kept momentum with defense.

“We switched our defense up,” said Robinson, “and we got some good looks, some good bounces and good steals, got some easy points.”

York used its height advantage effectively. The 6-foot-6 Todd scored 15 points and 6-4 sophomore Hayden Webster added 12. They also combined for 13 rebounds. 

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com