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The Ramblers topple top-ranked Dirigo to capture the Western Class C boys' title.

Blethen Maine News Service February 23, 2008

AUGUSTA — The Winthrop boys' basketball team used a balanced offense and timely free throws down the stretch to reach its second state championship game in three years.

Larry Foster scored 12 points and Sam Leclerc added 11 to lead the second-seeded Ramblers past No. 1 Dirigo 51-45 in the Western Class C championship game Saturday night at the Augusta Civic Center.

Ezra Damm scored nine points and Tim Gingras added seven for Winthrop, which will play Calais (19-0) for the gold ball next Saturday at the Augusta Civic Center.

The game will be a rematch of the 2006 Class C state championship game that Calais won, 56-49. Calais has won two consecutive Class C state titles.

The Ramblers (20-1) needed to fend off a valiant comeback from Dirigo (19-2). The Cougars trailed 42-35 at the start of the fourth quarter but pulled within 48-45 when 6-foot-8 center Thomas Knight sank two free throws with 2:54 remaining. Knight scored a game-high 21 points.

But in the final two minutes, the Ramblers were able to maintain possession and get Leclerc to the foul line. He made 3 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds to put the game away.