CAPE ELIZABETH – They came wearing shirts that read “Cape Crazies,” some with their faces painted white and some bearing huge cutouts of the faces of Cape players like Cam Brown and Theo Bowe. And throughout the Class B state championship game at the Cumberland County Civic Center Friday night, the Cape Elizabeth student section provided a thundering backdrop as they loudly cheered on the Capers.

During the game, the boisterous Cape fans rocked their corner of the Civic Center, chanting Bowe’s name whenever he made a play, and that was often, as Bowe was otherworldly in the title game, scoring a game-high 36 points. They also taunted the Camden Hills fans with chants of “we can’t hear you,” whenever the Capers were threatening the Windjammers on the floor.

Despite their best efforts, the Cape fans were not able to help lift their team over the hump and the Class B West champions fell in the state title game for the third time in four years, coming up on the short end of a 68-59 score.

While the disappointment was palpable in the stands after the game, the Cape fans were not about to turn their backs on their friends and classmates who had just given their all on the floor. Instead, as the Capers accepted the runner-up plaque, the fans looked back on a great season and knew that, even without a Gold Ball in the trophy case, the Capers had accomplished something pretty significant by winning three Western championships in four years.

“They went above and beyond this year,” said Cape senior Vinny Dell’Aquila. “I don’t think anyone expected them to get to states, but we had a solid team and a couple of big losses to Yarmouth and Greely (during the season), but they really came through in the clutch in the playoffs.”

Senior Karyn Barrett agreed that the Capers went further than anyone thought they could. “I think they played a great game,” she said. “They outdid everyone’s expectations of them going into this season.”

The Capers had to battle back from an early deficit as the Windjammers came out of the gate fast, and senior Drew Grennon knew that was a tough task against a very good team.

“They had to overcome a 10-point deficit right from the start, so that was hard,” he said. “Camden’s a good team and they showed that tonight. (Cape) played an awesome season, they made it to the state final, so that says a lot.”

Senior Paul Wennberg said that he was proud of the way the Capers stayed in the game with the powerful Windjammers, who had been blowing teams out all season.

“They played a great game,” he said. “They stuck with them and it’s hard when you’re such a small school to go up against such a big school. I feel bad for all the seniors (on the team). (But it was) a great season, I came to a lot of games and they played really well.”

While the Cape fans felt bad for all the players on the roster, they singled out the seniors, who during their four years at the school, saw the Capers bring home three regional titles, but were unable to capture the Gold Ball.

“I just feel bad for the seniors on the team,” said senior Ben Morse. “Theo Bowe had a great game, 36 points, I feel terrible for him. It (was a) great season, it’s just we’re seniors and it’s been kind of a disappointment three of the last four years seeing them lose, but they’re a great team and they’ll be good next year. It’s been fun to watch them.”

“I’m just proud for all the seniors, Cam (Brown), Kyle (Danielson), Joey (Doane) and Theo,” agreed Dell’Aquila. “Theo, obviously played his heart out tonight, same with all the others. They had a great four years, (getting to) three state championships. Of course we didn’t win one, but at least we got here, you can’t say that about many other sports. They had a great run.”

“I think they played an unbelievable game tonight, the seniors definitely pulled through,” said fellow Cape senior Caitlin Kane. “They work really well together. They played their hearts out.”

Barrett also singled out Bowe, saying he and the rest of the team should be pleased with what they accomplished this year, despite the tough ending. “Theo played the game of his life tonight,” she said. “They have nothing to be ashamed of, they played awesome.”