The Bristol Blue Devils overcame a large fourth quarter deficit on the way to a stunning 43-38 overtime win against Lincolnville in the girls Busline League championship game on Saturday, Feb. 8 in Boothbay.
Down 12 points with 1:42 remaining, the Blue Devils rallied to tie at 33-33 and send the game to overtime. The Blue Devils outscored the Lynx 10-5 in the extra four-minute period to win the Busline League crown.
“Not one person on our bench thought the game was over,” said Bristol head coach Holly Nelson. “I told the girls, ‘You can do this. Your defense is what got you here, now let’s finish this game.’”
Before the fourth quarter, Bristol got off to a very sluggish start and trailed 7-4 after one quarter and 14-6 at half. After being held to just six points in the first half by a stingy Lynx defense, the Blue Devils offense regrouped at halftime and exploded for 37 points in the final two quarters and overtime.
Dory Westhaver and Anna Brackett each scored 12 points to lead the Blue Devils offense. Also scoring points for Bristol were Rose Eraklis 10 (including four in overtime), Ava Larabee Cotz 8, and Norah Lord 1.
“Those girls played with every ounce of determination they had, and earned every basket and turnover they created,” said Nelson. “Our team had an amazing combination of tenacity, grit, confidence, and resolve that pushed us through both the south division championship and the Busline League championship games.”
According to Nelson, she knew early on that this team, which went undefeated at 15-0 this season, was a special group of players.
“We had a solid group of eighth graders, some I’ve coached since they were in the fifth grade and we were lucky to get a group of passionate players from South Bristol School, including two experienced eighth graders,” said Nelson. “The experienced kids were leading drills in practice, helping newcomers learn the ropes and being coaches on the court. The younger players looked up to them and it inspired them to work hard and improve. There was so much passion and drive in every single girl that they gelled easily and worked so well together.”
Natalie King scored 16 points to lead Lincolnville, who, like the Blue Devils, entered the Busline League championship contest undefeated.
Bristol 31 – Jefferson 22
The Bristol girls basketball team defeated Jefferson 31-22 on Thursday, Feb. 6 in Bristol. The Blue Devils enjoyed steady leads of 10-6 after the first quarter, 16-10 at the half, and 25-18 after three before holding off the Chargers in the fourth quarter to win the Busline League South division title.
“The girls had a few moments of frustration and they started to crack,” said Bristol head coach Holly Nelson. “But the girls pulled themselves back together and dug in deeper late in the game.”
The Bristol defense was able to keep Jefferson’s leading scorer Ellie Flagg in check for most of the game, which was a key to the win. Flagg led the Chargers with 14 points, despite being swarmed by pesky Blue Devils defenders throughout the contest.
Dory Westhaver led all scorers in the game with 15 points, including nine in the second half. Also scoring points for Bristol were Anna Brackett 8, Ava Cotz 4, and Mackenzie McDonald and Norah Lord 2 each.
“We have a large roster and the support of everyone on the bench is one reason we are successful and undefeated,” said Nelson. “We’ve talked a lot about roles, how each player contributes to the whole and the importance of having a positive attitude. Looking down our bench, I saw nothing but smiles, tears of joy, communication and cheering.”
In addition to Flagg’s 14 points, the Chargers offense got points from McKenna Hertel 6 and Josie Carr 2.
