York Coach Jerry Hill talks to his players during a timeout in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s 69-55 win over Greely. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

CUMBERLAND — Trailing before the opening tip, the York boys’ basketball team added to a nightmarish start by falling behind 9-0 against Greely on Wednesday afternoon.

But the Wildcats recovered, pulling even with the Rangers at halftime and scoring the first 11 points of the second half en route to a 69-55 victory.

York improved to 3-2 after losing its first two games; Greely suffered its first loss and fell to 4-1.

Jake Fogg paced a balanced attack with 21 points and the Wildcats.

“The good thing is these kids are resilient and thankfully, (Greely’s) big run came in the beginning of the game and we were able to settle down and get back in it,” said York Coach Jerry Hill.

In the pregame warm-up, the Wildcats were assessed a technical foul when a player touched the rim and Rangers senior Andrew St. Hilaire made 1 of 2 free throws before the game began. Greely got first possession as well and St. Hilaire hit a 3-pointer. Max Cloutier made another 3 and Dee Martin Coyne scored on a putback for a 9-0 advantage with the game just two minutes old.

John Paul Frazier of York contests a shot by Andrew St. Hilaire of Greely. Derek Davis/Staff Photographer

Out of a timeout York responded, drawing even at 13-13 on a three-point play from Trevor Parker. After one quarter, the Rangers’ lead was just two, 21-19.

The Wildcats turned up the defensive intensity in the second period and a late layup from J.P. Frazier tied the score at the half, 27-27.

After a steal 12 seconds into the second half, Frazier raced in for a layup to put York up to stay. After Fogg banked home a shot and Parker knocked down a 3, Frazier twice stole the ball and made layups to give York a 38-27 advantage.

“We did our 1-3-1 trap (defense), which really helped us, then we went into our 1-2-1-1 press and sped up the tempo of the game and (Greely) played right into our hands,” said Frazier.

The Rangers got back within six, 40-34, on a putback from Coyne, but three late layups from Kevin Burke made it 54-41 in York’s favor after three quarters.

Greely never got closer than 10 the rest of way.

Fogg was one of four York players to finish in double figures. Frazier had 13 points, and Burke and Parker each added 12.

“We have three kids with any varsity experience, so I thought it would take some time for us to come together, but I’m really happy with the way we’ve jelled,” said Hill.

The Rangers were led by St. Hilaire, who had 18 points, and Cloutier, who added 15, but they had no answers for the Wildcats in the second half.

“Offense wasn’t the issue, it was just on the defensive end,” said Greely Coach Travis Seaver. “They shot well and we didn’t do a lot to challenge them and make it difficult.

“We knew we weren’t going 18-0, so this is something we’ll learn from. We have a lot of upside.”