Patrick Dagan (middle) of George Stevens Academy gets fouled on his way to the basket during Saturday night's Class C North semifinal. Defending on the play are Central's Simon Allen (14), Will Libby (5) and Ethan Ladd (10). Credit: Joseph Cyr / Houlton Pioneer Times

BANGOR, Maine — Playing with a fierce tenacity, the No. 4 George Stevens Academy Eagles soared to a 65-59 semifinal victory over a scrappy No. 11 Central squad Saturday evening in a Class C North semifinal.

The Eagles advance to the Class C North championship, 7:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 28, at the Cross Insurance Center against No. 4 Dexter (15-5).

Central’s Nick Schlipstein (left) hauls in a rebound during Saturday night’s Class C North semifinal at the Cross Insurance Center. Converging is GSA’s Teague Smallidge. Credit: Joseph Cyr / Houlton Pioneer Times

GSA had beaten Central twice during the regular season — 68-54 at East Corinth and 56-47 at home — but Saturday’s semifinal was a much tighter affair for most of the contest. The Red Devils cut the lead to seven (46-39) at the end of the third quarter, but the Eagles pulled away in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles never trailed in Saturday’s semifinal and slowly pulled away in the final minutes with successful free throws. Central of East Corinth ends its season with a 12-9 overall record.

“We didn’t close the game out as well as we should have,” GSA coach Dwayne Carter said. “We had spurts of playing really well, but we have some work to do. We have been injured all year.”

The game marked the first appearance by Eagle point guard David Gadsby in the tournament. Gadsby has been nursing an injury and has been unavailable for the past three weeks.

George Stevens Academy’s Teague Smallidge (right) puts up a shot over the outstretched arms of Central’s Nick Schlipstein during Saturday night’s Class C North semifinal at the Cross Insurance Center. Credit: Joseph Cyr / Houlton Pioneer Times
George Stevens Academy’s Bryce Schneider (front) has the ball knocked way by Central’s Partrick Dagan during Saturday night’s Class C North semifinal at the Cross Insurance Center. Credit: Joseph Cyr / Houlton Pioneer Times

Bryce Schneider had 17 points to lead the Eagles. Gadsby added 13 points, while Patrick Dagan had 12; Teague Smallidge added 11; Sol Lorio chipped in six; and Azaiah Nason had four.

“We are still trying to figure things out for sure,” Carter said. “I feel that we went inside pretty well tonight when we needed to and our defense was pretty good overall.”

Simon Allen had 18 points to lead Central. Will Libby added 16, while Bryce Burns had 13; Lucas Gustin chipped in eight and Nick Schlipstein had four.