FREEPORT

The Freeport High School girls basketball team appeared to have run out of steam in the fourth quarter against undefeated York, trailing 51-43 with 3:56 remaining.

There was no shame for the Falcons, considering Freeport held a 32-28 halftime lead and had battled tit for tat with one of the top teams in the Western Maine Conference.

But, the Falcons were not quite finished with York, rallying with a 9-0 run for a 52-51 lead on a Nina Davenport putback with 1:44 remaining in regulation, setting up for a wild finish.

To the disappointment of the Freeport faithful, York had one final push left, getting a go-ahead basket from Chloe Smedley and a pair of free throws by Ruby Cribby for a 55-52 victory.

The Wildcats had to survive one more gallant try by the Falcons, with Venessa Lee’s 3- point attempt at the buzzer rimming out, allowing York to leave Freeport with a 6-0 record, while the Falcons dropped to 2-3, but realizing what they are capable of doing.

“In years past, I’m guessing Freeport would have packed up the tent down eight points in the fourth quarter, but not only did we come back, but we had a one-point lead with an opportunity to win it,” said first-year Freeport coach Jim Seavey, whose charges will play in the St. Dom’s Boys/Girls Christmas Tournament next week before returning to conference play at Yarmouth on Jan. 3.

After a solid first half that saw Freeport with a sevenpoint lead twice, the final time 30-23, York adjusted in the second half, winning the rebound battle (21-14 after halftime) and taking control in the third quarter with a 16- 8 scoring advantage for a 44- 40 edge after 24 minutes.

“The second half we missed some bunnies that we made in the first half, but again it is a tribute to learning how to win those games and tightening up in those situations,” said Seavey.

“It is great to have Jim Seavey back in the league, as we have had games like this in the past,” said York coach Rick Clark, remembering when Seavey led Greely. “Freeport was able to beat our press relatively easily, and we didn’t adjust to that well. We were missing Marquis MacGlashing (missed game due to a death in the family). She is the anchor of our defense, but I am pleased that these girls were able to get this win without her.”

Good start

Behind the play of York senior Emily Campbell, the Wildcats jumped on top 5-0 and led 8-4 midway through the opening quarter.

Freeport standout Nina Davenport scored her first of a game-high 24 points from the free-throw line to get the Falcons going. She finished the quarter with a 3-pointer to give Freeport a 14-13 lead, with Campbell racking up eight points.

Davenport took over in the second quarter, scoring half of her team’s 18 points. The play of point-guard Aubrey Pennell (four first-half assists), and guards Ashley Richardson and Leigh Wyman made life difficult for the Wildcats as the Falcons went to the break with a fourpoint lead.

Fouls began to take their toll in the second half. Pennell picked up two in less than a minute, giving her four and a seat on the bench. And, Freeport went four of 14 from the floor in the third quarter, with Smedley taking over for York with seven points and Cribby adding four as the Wildcats claimed a four-point lead of their own.

“York is well-coached, and their experience stepped up in the second half and were able to outrebound us significantly,” said Seavey. “We need to have Aubrey out on the court. You have to have your floor general out there to make it work.”

Seavey used Pennell sparingly in the fourth quarter, but her 3-pointer from the corner drew the Falcons to 51- 50 with 2:28 remaining.

After Davenport gave the Falcons a 52-51 edge, Smedley took a pass from Campbell and scored for a 53-52 York advantage. A missed free throw gave York the ball back, and after Cribby missed the front end of a 1-and-1, Campbell managed to get the rebound. Cribby was fouled again (Pennell fouled out), this time making both free throws with 11 seconds left for a 55-52 lead.

Wyman found Lee, whose shot appeared to be on line before rimming out as the buzzer sounded.

Pennell finished with 11 points, while Richardson and Wyman chipped in eight points each. Davenport had nine rebounds and three steals, Jocelyn Davee and Richardson six caroms each, and Pennell six assists.

“Ashley Richardson has the heart of a lion and has the desire, and Nina is our go-to player,” said Seavey. “We realize that if we don’t let Nina touch the ball, I am a fool and I’m not doing my job. Once we get everyone healthy and clicking, I think we’ll be pretty good.”

The Falcons shot 34 percent from the floor (20 of 58) and made eight of 12 free throws.

Campbell paced York with 16 points (13 in the first half) and 10 rebounds for a doubledouble. Smedley, who missed most of the first half after picking up three fouls, scored 11 of her 14 points in the second half and pulled down five caroms, while Shannon Todd had 10 points. York was 16 of 48 (33 percent) from the field and made 17 of 23 free throws, including nine of 10 in the second half.

York 55,
Freeport 52

At Freeport High School
York — 13 15 16 11 — 55
Freeport — 14 18 8 12 — 52
York — Shannon Todd 4-0-10, Chloe
Smedley 3-8-14, Anne Graziano 1-0-3,
Ruby Cribby 2-6-10, Emily Campbell 6-1-
16, Paige McElwain 0-1-1, Madeline Leroux 0-0-0, Samantha Robinson 0-1-1,
Amber Freeman 0-0-0. Totals — 16-17-
55.
Freeport — Ashley Richardson 4-0-8,
Nina Davenport 10-3-24, Jocelyn Davee
0-0-0, Aubrey Pennell 3-4-11, Leigh
Wyman 3-0-8, Venessa Lee 0-1-1, Lauren
Cormier 0-0-0, Livvy Dimick 0-0-0. Totals
— 20-8-52.
3-pointers — (Y) Todd 2, Graziano,
Campbell 3; (F) Davenport, Pennell,
Wyman 2.
Records — York 6-0, Freeport 2-3.
Next for the Falcons — Jan. 3 at
Yarmouth.