YORK - The York High School freshman basketball team recently completed a very successful season.
The team, coached by Ellis Lane, won its final four games to finish at 9-3.
The season opener at home saw Drew Sheehan score 22 points and grab 16 rebounds to lead the team to a 50-38 win over Poland.
After a loss at home to Yarmouth, 50-42, the team went on a three-game roadtrip. Led by J.P. Lydston's eight points, two rebounds, three steals and outstanding defense, the team defeated Old Orchard, 63-31.
Next up, the team defeated St. Dom's, 43-22. Spencer Fountain had a great game all around, scoring 12 points and grabbing 14 rebounds to go with three assists and four steals.
The roadtrip ended with a 54-42 upset win over a very good Greely team. Chris Cole had 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals.
The team returned home and came from 17 down to fall just short in a loss to Falmouth, 60-57.
The team went back on the road to take on traditional rival Wells. Devin Merritt sparked the victory with 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in a 56-15 win.
The team returned home to a 72-65 loss to Cape Elizabeth.
Back on the road, the team traveled to Traip in one of the highest-scoring games seen at the freshman level. Trailing by 12 late in the third period, the team caught fire and pulled out an 82-74 victory over a fine Traip team, scoring 49 second-half points. Dylan Pratt had a fantastic game for the young Wildcats. He scored 17 points, had nine assists as well as going 10 for 10 from the charity stripe. Cole and Sheehan also had outstanding games, scoring 24 and 22 points, respectively.
The final road game of the season had the Wildcats avenge an early season loss to Yarmouth with a resounding 72-44 victory. All eight players scored as the team went undefeated on the road at 6-0.
The team completed its season with their final two games at home.
The first was a rematch victory over a much-improved Wells team. A 22-21 lead at halftime had York come out flying in the second half to full out a 53-34 win. Cole (17), Sheehan (13), Pratt (11) and Merritt (6) led the way.
The final game of the season had the team play its best two-way game of the season. Wes Insko and Jon Warner had fine all-around games. Insko had five points, two assists, two steals and took charge of the offense with his ball-handling and play-making. Warner had a 4-for-5 shooting game to go with four rebounds, one steal and excellent defense. Fountain chipped in with nine rebounds. Pratt and Cole scored 11 points each, while Merritt had six points and three steals. Lydston had one three-pointer and played tough defense on Traip's best player all game.
The season statistics point out that this was a true team. Everyone contributed. They played as a unit. No one cared who got the credit. The team showed great improvement from the beginning of the season to the end. All these players have excellent potential and will be heard from on the hard court in the next three years.
