Top-seeded and undefeated Greely High School let No. 4 Kennebunk High School get the first basket, but then slammed the door on the Rams, scoring the next 11 points in a flurry on the way to the team’s 20th victory, 67-52.
The Class A South girls’ semifinal round win Wednesday sets up a regional final showdown between Greely and No. 2 Brunswick High School for the third straight year. The Dragons upended the Rangers in 2017 for the regional title before losing in the state championship game, while Greely took the win last season and moved on to claim the gold ball the following week.
Brunswick will come into the game with a 19-1 record, its only loss coming against the Rangers on Dec. 28, 67-46.
After a game-opening bucket by Kennebunk’s Isabelle Okwuosa, Wednesday morning’s semifinal game between the Rangers and Rams was never in doubt. Greely poured on the points, fast and furious, sprinting out to a 21-8 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Rangers rushed the offensive boards all game long to give themselves second and third chances to score while swarming the Rams on the defensive end.
There were many examples to pick from. But one came with 6:06 to go in the first half, when senior Greely captain Anna DeWolfe batted a ball away on Kennebunk end of the court, gathered it for a breakaway and finished with a behind-the-back dish to sophomore Camille Clement for the layup.
The Rangers held a 38-25 advantage at halftime.
Okwuosa scored the first three baskets of the second half to bring the Rams back to within seven, 38-31, with about six minutes to go in the third quarter — but although the Rams continued scoring down the stretch, that was as close as they would get.
Greely answered all of Kennebunk’s surges the rest of the way, led by Anna DeWolfe and her 21 points. Fellow Rangers Brooke Obar and Camille Clement each added 12 points, while Julia Martel had 11.
The Rams were led by Alaina Schatzabel, who scored 17 in defeat, followed by Emily Archibald and Okwuosa with 12 each.
Kennebunk finishes its season with a 13-7 record.
