It’s a new season, new coach and new style of basketball for the Boothbay girls team this winter. Former assistant Brian Blethen is now the head varsity coach and has employed a new up-tempo style.

Blethen is hoping his team’s pressure defense and fast break offense make the Seahawks a state championship contender. In the past two seasons, Boothbay has been in the mix to claim a Gold Ball only to fall just short. Boothbay has lost four games in the past two seasons, but two of those defeats were to the eventual state champion in the tournament.

In 2016, Narraguagus of Harrington claimed the Gold Ball with a 33-25 victory in the state championship game. Last year, Monmouth dethroned Boothbay as Class C South champion in the regional semifinals, 39-30. In both contests, Boothbay struggled offensively which is why Blethen is taking a new approach. This summer and preseason, the Seahawks are playing a faster brand of basketball.

So far, the new style is a success. The Seahawks are soaring having won all three games during a preseason tournament on Nov. 25 defeating Old Orchard Beach, Traip and Waynflete.

“The change is about giving our offense a boost. We struggled to score in the tournament and we’re hoping a faster, up-tempo game will help us.  I’m pleased how they have adjusted,” Blethen said.

The up-tempo pace isn’t the only change for seniors Page Brown and Sydney Meader. In previous years, older teammates were responsible for teaching newcomers about playing Seahawk basketball. Now, with a squad which includes five freshmen, the two seniors are assuming that role.

“In the past we’ve had five or six upperclassmen teaching the rest of us how to play. Now we are the ones in that position,” Brown said. 

With the Seahawks playing an up-tempo game on both ends of the court, the team will need a deep bench resulting in the freshmen seeing considerable playing time during the season. Meader is seeing a lot of good things on the practice court with her team.

“I really like our size, but it’s important for our team to be in great condition, and for our bench to play well, ” Meader said.

Coach Blethen expects his team will be well-prepared for the season opener on Tuesday, Dec. 12 in Boothbay against Lisbon. He believes the school’s past success is due to more than having talented players. “If you look at our past rosters it’s filled with players who have made the honor roll. They are smart kids who can adapt and they are definitely adapting to changes made this season,” he said.

Last season, Boothbay finished 18-2 and second place in the Class C South Heal point standings. Both losses were to Monmouth Academy.