OLD ORCHARD BEACH — When a basketball team reaches the postseason, it will look to its most experienced players to step up and lead the way.

The No. 7 Old Orchard Beach boys did just that on Wednesday night as seniors Erik Hogan and Zach Hirst combined for 43 points and Sam Custeau put in the game-winner in the Seagulls’ 68-65 overtime win over No. 10 Monmouth in a Class C South prelim.

“That senior leadership, and the gutsy performances that we’ve put on all year long, I think certainly contributed to this. Coach (Curt) Chretien used the word in the locker room – grit. That’s a gritty win and a gritty performance and I’ll take my hat off to those guys all day long,” said OOB coach Mike Burke.

The Seagulls got off to a strong start thanks to Hogan, who scored 12 points, and Hirst, who added five, to give OOB a 17-10 lead after one quarter.

OOB had seven different players score in the second period as the Seagulls took a 32-25 lead into halftime.

The Seagulls were able to extend their lead with a 20-17 scoring edge in the third period, which gave the home squad a 10-point lead heading into the fourth.

Monmouth, which didn’t hit a 3-pointer in the entire first half, got hot from the outside in the fourth. Luke Thombs hit five 3-pointers in the final quarter to lead the Mustangs on a 21-11 run, which would send the game to overtime tied at 63.

With the score tied at 64 in the extra frame, Custeau grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed free throw and put it in to give the Seagulls a 66-64 lead with 2:30 left.

“Sammy was in a great spot, caught the ball high and put it right back in,” said Burke, who believes Custeau’s play was representative of the Seagulls entire season. “I think we just find a way. Sometimes the ball doesn’t necessarily bounce our way and occasionally it does.”

Custeau was happy he was able to step up in a big spot.

“I just tried to slide in there and at the end of the game like that you kind of count on your seniors to make big plays and we came through,” said Custeau.

After Monmouth cut the lead to 66-65, Hogan would be sent to the line and the senior made both free throws to push the Seagulls’ lead to three with 30 seconds left.

Following a near game-clinching steal by Hirst, who was called for a travel after picking off a Monmouth pass with 21 seconds left, Monmouth missed a 3-pointer with 10 seconds left and the Seagulls were able to run out the clock.

“I’m speechless … it’s quite a feeling. I almost broke out into tears of joy in the locker room, it’s just unbelievable,” said Hirst, who finished the game with 19 points.

Burke was impressed with Hirst’s performance.

“I don’t think Zach’s played that good all year long,” said Burke. “We’ve been kind of waiting for a performance like that for him and for us. I think Hirst played a hell of game and really asserted himself.”

Hogan, who finished with a game-high 24 points, was thrilled to be able to close out his home career with a big win – especially with his longtime teammates by his side.

“It feels great. It feels like it ended how it was supposed to for us at home. I wouldn’t want to do it with any other guys,” said Hogan.

The senior point guard knew the Seagulls would be able to handle the pressure of an overtime playoff game.

“We just stress to stay calm because we had been in this situation so many times before with Freeport and Richmond … we just played loose and let things come to us,” said Hogan.

One thing that put more pressure on the Seagulls was the fact that they had several players in foul trouble, including senior big man Joe Anderson and sophomore shooting guard Ian Regan.

“I think that’s typical of tournament stuff. You get things called the way they are and you have to adjust and make do. Often times, you ask guys to step up and play, who may not have seen minutes all year, but I think we do a good job of working guys through in practice, even if they are not necessarily getting game minutes, to help us out in games like this,” said Burke, who got a big 3-pointer from Brian Davis in the second quarter.

Custeau knew he had to step up once Anderson, who usually rotates with Custeau, picked up three fouls early.

“He got in foul trouble early and I just had to step up,” said Custeau, who finished with six points.

The Seagulls, who also got nine points from junior standout Evan Christensen, will head to Augusta on Monday to face No. 2 Winthrop in the quarterfinals.

“Winthrop’s a great team, obviously they are second in the (Class C South standings), so we’ll get back to work over the next few games and see what that brings us,” said Burke.

Hirst, who has played with Winthrop guard Jacob Hickey in the offseason, knows that the No. 2 seed will challenge the Seagulls.

“Winthrop’s a good team … we definitely cannot look past them,” said Hirst.

Hogan, who will be making his third trip to Augusta, will have a simple message for the younger players on the team before Monday’s contest.

“Just soak it all in. It’s going to be the experience of your basketball life and make the most out of your opportunities,” said Hogan.

— Sports Editor Pat McDonald can be reached at pmcdonald@journaltribune.com or at 282-1535 ext. 322. Follow the Journal Tribune Sports Department on Twitter @ JournalTsports.