THOMASTON —The Oceanside 8th grade girls middle school basketball teams faced off against each other Wednesday afternoon at Oceanside West in Thomaston, with the Blue team pulling out the last second 39-37 win over White.

With 1.6 seconds on the clock and the score tied at 37, the Blue team inbounded the ball to Hope Butler, who took three dribbles to the basket and took a shot just before the buzzer went off and banked it off the backboard for the 39-37 win, and bragging rights in school tomorrow.

The White team had nothing to hang its head about. Despite being down by as much as 12 points, they fought back in the final quarter.

Abby Veilleux scored the final five points for White. On a lay up with about 90 seconds remaining, Veilleux made the basket and was fouled for the three-point play.

With nine seconds left on the clock, Veilleux was again fouled and made both foul shots to tie the score at 37.

The Blue team brought the ball inbounds and managed to get it up the floor before White knocked the ball out of bounds with 1.6 seconds left. While everyone was thinking about playing an overtime period —including the White team — Butler found herself wide open and took the shot that had the entire gym quiet as they watched the ball sailing towards the basket, banking off the backboard just above the rim and into the basket to answer the prayers and give Blue the hard fought win.

Blue led all the way until the last few seconds when White tied the score. Blue took a 7-6 first quarter lead and a 18-12 lead into the half time.

Blue increased the lead to eight, for a score of 28-10, by the end of the third.

The fourth quarter saw White pick up the intensity causing many Blue team turnovers; therefore, allowing the White team back into the game before a Hope and a prayer put the game way for Blue.

Scoring for the Blue team were: Annaleise Poisson (10 points), Rachel Joyce and Hope Butler (eight each), Kalli Grover (six), Kassidy Robinson (five) and Philomena Marsh (two). 

Oceanside Blue was 11-of-27 from the foul line.

For White, Gabby Straka had a game high 12 points, all scored in the second half. Meanwhile, Veilleux tallied up seven points; Hannah Moholland and Chloe Jones had six each; Kaycee Foster four; and Brooke Post posted two points.

Oceanside White was 5-of-13 from the foul line.

Both teams played with an aggressive approach causing a lot of fouls and turnovers.

And, as is often the case at this level, missed foul shots from both teams could have changed the outcome of this game.

One would have to think both coaches will be talking about that at the next practice.

Next up for the Blue team is Camden-Rockport on Friday, Nov. 19 at Oceanside West, while the Oceanside White team will not play again until Monday, Nov. 24 when they host Troy Howard.

Click here for a photo gallery from this game.

Ron Hawkes can be reached at hawkesnews@gmail.com.