AUGUSTA

That same old adage that we have heard over and over again played true on Tuesday at the Augusta Civic Center.

Coaches will tell you, “It is difficult to defeat a team three teams in a season.”

Mike Ladner of Richmond had to face that fact in the Class C South girls high school quarterfinals as his top-seeded Bobcats were stunned by No. 8 Searsport, 33-32.

It was a game that featured back and forth play, long scoring droughts, missed field goals and a roller-coaster ride of a fourth quarter that ended with Richmond hopelessly watching the final two seconds tick off as Searsport held the inbounds play.

“We struggled offensively today, but hats off to them. Searsport played well,” said a dejected Ladner, whose Bobcats finished 16-3. “We settled for the outside shot, and when we did get it inside we forced shots. We didn’t have one transition basket, and most of our baskets came off missed outside shots.”

The fourth quarter was worth the price of admission. Searsport led at the start, 22-21, but senior Kelsea Anair swished a 3-pointer for a 24-22 Richmond lead. Melinda Ogden, who had a game-high 15 points, tied the game, and teammate Paige Ireland made 1-of-2 at the free-throw line to put the Vikings ahead again.

This time Richmond’s Ashley Abbott hit the mark from behind the arc for a 27-25 Bobcats lead with 2:53 left in regulation.

But, Searsport refused to be denied. Kaitlyn Shute scored while being fouled to tie the game. She missed the free throw, but Ogden stole a Richmond pass and sprinted down court. On her way to the basket, she was intentionally fouled, giving Ogden a pair of free throws and her team the possession. Ogden made 1-of-2, and moments later Shute made a free throw to make for a 29-27 lead.

Back again came Richmond. Freshman Caitlin Kendrick was fouled from behind by Ogden while attempting a 3-pointer. Kendrick calmly sank all three freebies for a 30-29 Bobcats lead.

“She made a boneheaded play,” said Searsport coach Melvin Grant said of Ogden.

“I was down after that foul, but we knew what we needed to do. It was about executing,” said Ogden, who immediately put the previous play in her rear-view mirror. She was fouled with 41 seconds remaining and made both to put the Vikings back in front to stay.

Seconds later, Ogden ripped the ball away from a Richmond guard and scored for a 33-30 advantage.

“She is a tough matchup for anybody, and she is going to get her 15-20 every game,” said Ladner of Ogden.

Richmond went for the tie, but a 3-pointer missed, with Sidney Tilton (seven points, 12 rebounds) putting in a lay- up moments before the final horn sounded.

“ We really don’t know what to do with it,” said Ogden of her team’s first win in any girls sport against Richmond over the past three seasons. “This is a big win for us.”

“I told the girls going in that I don’t care if you score 20 points or 60 points, as long as you scored more than they do,” said Grant. “ I really thought that we could beat this team. This Richmond team has had their number in softball, soccer, and it transitioned over to basketball. They had that fear.”

Searsport survived a near 10- minute scoring drought, trailing the Bobcats 9-2 early in the second quarter. But, Anna Bucklin hit a trey, and Ogden followed with two 3-pointers for an 11-9 Searsport lead. The Vikings led 17-13 at the intermission.

Richmond made a run in the third quarter, taking a 21-20 lead on a 3-pointer by Mackenzie Abbott. Ireland put Searsport ahead 22-21 after three late in the frame.

Saying good-bye

For Ladner, he had the tough job of saying good-bye to five seniors who have meant a lot to Richmond basketball.

“Most of those seniors have been here all four years, and they are used to success in whatever they do,” said Ladner of Anair, Autumn Acord, Kyla Johansen, Jade Gammon and Kalah Patterson. “They will bounce back. Softball is coming up and they will bounce back.”

Richmond shot 24 percent (12-of-50) from the field and made 4-of-9 at the line. Searsport (13-7) was 11-of-41 from the floor, with free-throw shooting (8-of-22) something the Vikings will need to do better in their semifinal matchup with fourth-seeded Madison on Thursday.

Bucklin picked up seven points for Searsport, while Ogden had 11 rebounds and four steals.

Mackenzie Abbott matched Tilton with seven points, with Ashley Abbott adding six points and Anair five points and seven boards. Meranda Martin dished out four assists.

No. 8 Searsport 33, No. 1 Richmond 32

Class C South Girls Quarterfinal At the Augusta Civic Center

Searsport — Melinda Ogden 5-3-15, Anna Bucklin 2-2-7, Karigen Coffin 1- 0-2, Paige Ireland 1-1-3, Kaitlyn Shute 1-2-4, Kaylee Knowles 0-0-0, Brooklynn Alberts 1-0-2, Arianna Stemp 0-0-0. Totals — 11-8-33. Richmond — Kelsea Anair 2-0-5, Kalah Patterson 0-0-0, Sydney Tilton 3-1-7, Meranda Martin 2-0-4, Caitlin Kendrick 0-3-3, Mackenzie Abbott 3- 0-7, Ashley Abbott 2-0-6, Cassidy Harriman 0-0-0, Autumn Acord 0-0- 0. Totals –— 12-4-32. 3-point field goals — (S) Melinda Ogden 2, Anna Bucklin; (R) Ashley Abbott 2, Mackenzie Abbott, Kelsea Anair. Records — Searsport 13-7, Richmond 16-3. Note — Richmond’s season is completed.