YORK - With more lead changes than the "Democratic Primary," the fourth-seeded York Lady Wildcats finally outlasted the fifth-seeded Fryeburg Lady Raiders, 57-45, and advance to the Western Maine Semifinals.

Freshman Steph Gallagher had drained three of four free-throws to give the Lady ‘Cats a 38-36 lead going into the final quarter.

Coreen Hennessy (game high 26) countered with a pop from the wing and Eden Cianciolo added a put back to regain the lead for the Raiders (40-38). Then Gallagher drained a trey from the wing and after Fryeburg countered, the defensive pressure of Brittany Bracy forced a "five-second turnover." Freshman Nicole Taylor then scored on a put back and Laney Yeomelakis "banked in" a shot from the wing to give York a 45-43 lead and force the Raiders to call time at the 3:22 mark.

Hennessy countered for Fryeburg on a breakaway, but Gallagher (16 for the game) regained the lead for York, 47-45, with just over two minutes remaining.

The Raiders were forced to foul and York was solid at the line with Taylor and Yeomelakis combining for 10 straight free-throws that made the final score York 57, Fryeburg 45.

York opened the game when Taylor controlled the tip to Yeomelakis who fed Emma Clark on a breakaway. Fryeburg countered with a quick pair of hoops but York regained the lead on a trey from the top by Yeomelakis (16 for the game). Then Taylor scored a

quick pair of hoops and York led 9-4 when the Raiders called time. Fryeburg was trying to control the tempo by subbing on every whistle, but Meredith Reid scored on a pop-shot and then added a fast break bucket on a feed from Taylor. Gallagher closed out the quarter with a corner shot and York led 15-11 after one period of intense action.

The Lady Wildcats built the lead to 21-14 at the 5:58 mark, but after a Fryeburg timeout the momentum shifted. Seven points in two minutes forced York to call time with their lead narrowed to 22-21. Clark "took one for the team" by drawing a charge, negating a basket and forcing a turnover. But Hennessy had the hot hand and Fryeburg led 27-24 at the half.

Hennessy scored five more points to open the third period but York countered with a steal by Gallagher and a feed to Taylor. Then Yeomelakis scored after another steal before Gallagher drained a pair of free-throws and added a put back to even the score at 32-32.

Taylor picked up her fourth foul at the 4:09 mark and had to head for the bench. York never gave up, and after Yeomelakis added a trey from the top, Clark came up with a steal.

The Lady Wildcats had solid performances by several players, but it was the freshmen - Gallagher (16 points, five rebounds and two steals) and Taylor (11 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists) who had an "opening night to be remembered."

York was scheduled to play Lake Region in a semifinal game at press time.

York 51, Traip 25

The Lady ‘Cats also ended their regular season on a winning note.

On Feb. 7, the York Lady Wildcats (15-3) rolled over the Class C Traip Lady Rangers (9-7) by the final score of 51-25.

York opened with their suffocating full court press and shutout Traip, 16-0, in the first period. York Coach Rick Clark made full use of his bench and 12 girls played with 11 in the scoring column. Leading scorers for York were Stephanie Hartman with 13 and Meredith Reid with nine points.

Yachtsmen edge York, 63-57

The top-ranked Falmouth Lady Yachtsmen (16-1) came to York Feb. 5, York's Senior Recognition Night, and used an 11-point spurt in the first 2:42 of the second half to open up a 42-29 lead.

The Lady Yachtsmen had four players in double figures including Morgan Furman with 16 points (three field goals and 10 free-throws).

York started their three senior Co-Captains Steph Hartman, Haley Westman and Brittany Bracy, and after Taylor made three when she was fouled on a put back, Hartman scored on a fast break and Bracy added a put back to give York an 8-6 lead at the 3:57 mark. But Falmouth bounced back with six points by Andie Doyle and five by the very aggressive Alison DerHagopian to take a 19-12 first period lead.

York kept scrapping and, paced by four points by Taylor and five by Hana Carey, they trailed by just four (31-27) at the half.

York's five-piece pep band "The Ego Trip" provided halftime entertainment, but it was Falmouth that came out of the locker room "fired up and ready to roll."

After Falmouth  took a 42-29 lead at the 5:18 mark, the Lady Wildcats never gave up.

Laney Yeomelakis netted a pair of hoops, Westman added a rebound and a pair of free throws, Meredith Reid had a pair of assists and Steph Gallagher scored on a breakaway.

York trailed 47-38 going into the final period and Falmouth went into their "slow down offense." The Lady Wildcats were forced to foul, but the Yachtsmen converted 14 free-throws in the final quarter to hold on for a 63-57 win.

Gallagher with 14, Yeomelakis with 12 and Taylor with 11 led the York scorers.