By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
With the holiday tournaments in the rear view mirror, Maine's basketball powers have picked up where they left off by dominating league foes. The hockey story continues to intrigue as well.
Boys' Basketball: Cheverus Has No Peer
After rolling over all comers to win the Portland High Holiday Tournament, the Cheverus boys' basketball team resumed its quest for a second straight Class A state championship last weekend with an easy 64-39 win at Biddeford behind 23 points from senior standout Mick DiStasio and a dozen from junior Lenny Cummings.
The biggest story of the weekend came at Deering, where the Rams overcame a 17-4 deficit after one quarter and rallied to shock previously unbeaten Thornton Academy, 59-52, in overtime behind 21 points (including two clutch 3-pointers in the extra session) from senior Khadar Abbas.
Portland won its fifth straight game Friday, downing host Massabesic, 74-57, behind 22 points from senior Ed Bogdanovich and 13 from classmate Joe Violette.
South Portland stayed unbeaten Friday with a 54-50 win at Scarborough. Junior Keegan Hyland led all scorers with 19 points, but the clutch inside play of junior Ryan Curit (who had nine second half points) proved to be the difference as the Red Riots closed the game with an 9-3 run to improve to 7-0.
“I realized we needed to pick up the intensity a little,” Curit said. “I thought I could so I went and did it.”
“They came in and beat us on our court last year so it feels good to come back and win on their court,” added South Portland coach Phil Conley. “Ryan had a huge night for us. He had 12 rebounds.
Big games are the theme this week in Western A. On Wednesday, undefeated and underappreciated Westbrook goes to South Portland. Friday, the Red Riots visit Thornton Academy. Saturday, Cheverus is home with Portland.
In Western B, Falmouth is still perfect after Saturday's 69-22 home drubbing of Wells. Cape Elizabeth downed York and Greely took care of Gray-New Gloucester to get 2009 off on the right foot. Yarmouth had no trouble with St. Dom's as senior Johnny Murphy scored 28 points.
Girls' Basketball: Deering Proves to be Road Warrior
Deering's girls haven't missed a beat under new coach Mike Murphy. After winning the Capitol City Classic tournament, the Rams had to play at dangerous South Portland and Cheverus over the weekend, but were hardly tested, beating the Red Riots, 46-24, and the Stags by 50-25 to improve to 7-0.
Deering continues to decimate its foes with its strong defense, the interior dominance of junior Claire Ramonas and sophomore Kayla Burchill, and the outside play of seniors Diana Manduca and Jess Ruhlin, and sophomore Britni Mikulanecz.
Scarborough staked its claim as the Rams' top contender after a win at Biddeford. The Red Storm host South Portland in a huge test Tuesday night. Those teams, along with the Tigers, Massabesic, Marshwood, Cheverus, Noble and McAuley appear to be top contenders. The Lions are coming off a stirring 40-39 home win over the Hawks Friday on a last-second 3-pointer from sophomore Nicolette Kapothanasis.
In Western B, three-time defending regional champion Lake Region got back on track Saturday with a 42-39 victory over visiting Fryeburg Academy. Visiting York brought Cape Elizabeth back to earth with a 41-27 decision to stay undefeated. Falmouth and Greely earned big wins.
In Western C, Waynflete bounced back from its first loss by holding off host North Yarmouth Academy, 43-36, Saturday behind 20 points from senior Morgan Woodhouse.
Hockey: Falmouth Wins Battle of Brothers
Falmouth and Thornton Academy are considered two of the top hockey teams in Western A this year, but their showdown Saturday in Biddeford was extra meaningful as it was the first meeting this season between a pair of brothers, Yachtsmen coach Scott Rousseau and his younger sibling, Shawn, the new Golden Trojans' mentor. Big brother would get the last laugh in this meeting as Falmouth eked out a 2-1 win to improve to 3-1.
Those two teams, along with Scarborough, Biddeford and Kennebunk appear to be the top contenders at the start of the new year.
In Western B, Cape Elizabeth and Greely did battle in a showdown Monday night for the right to be considered the favorite. The Rangers were coming off a 10-0 triumph at Camden Hills.
Michael Hoffer is the sports editor of The Forecaster, a family of weekly newspapers based in Falmouth. Michael can be reached at mhoffer@theforecaster.net.
