By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
While all eyes have (understandably) been focused on defending Class A girls basketball champion Deering this season, the Rams appear to have a pretty serious challenger.
Upstart Scarborough, which has never played beyond the quarterfinals in the Western A tournament, has the inside track on the No. 2 seed and is clicking on all cylinders.
The Red Storm improved to 12-2 Friday night with a stunning (in its decisiveness) 64-17 home win over Cheverus. Scarborough has won five straight (by an average of over 26 points) since falling at home to Deering Jan. 8. Junior Christy Manning continues to lead the way, but the team has gotten plenty of offense (as well as stellar defense) from other sources.
“We're healthy and playing well,” Red Storm coach Jim Seavey said. “This group is great. They don't care who gets the glory. They're confident and they just want to win. Christy will do her thing, but after that, someone new steps up every night.”
Deering continues to enjoy a healthy lead in the Heal Points standings and improved to 14-0 Friday with a 59-40 win over rival Portland. Biddeford, Windham, Noble, McAuley, Marshwood, South Portland, Cheverus, Sanford and Portland would be the other playoff teams if the season ended today.
In Western B, Greely trails unbeaten York for the top spot in the Heals. The Rangers' latest victory was a 66-36 romp at Freeport Saturday night. Greely has a huge test at red-hot Falmouth Tuesday. The Rangers got their season off to a great start way back on Dec. 5 with a home win over the Yachtsmen.
Falmouth has moved into the No. 8 spot after winning three straight, including weekend romps over St. Dom's and Poland.
In Western C, Waynflete remains atop the heap following Friday's stirring overtime win over visiting Yarmouth and an easier home victory over Old Orchard Beach Saturday.
Boys Basketball: Cheverus slows Hyland, South Portland
Cheverus' latest “Game of the Week” had a familiar result Friday. The Stags stayed perfect on the year as the potential team for the ages proved to be too much for this year's individual superstar, Keegan Hyland of South Portland.
The Stags got a break when Hyland's accomplice, junior Matt Lee, hurt his knee in the pregame and couldn't play. Cheverus managed to hold Hyland to 17 points and pulled away for a 60-41 win behind 23 points from senior standout Mick DiStasio.
“They killed us last time,” Stags' coach Bob Brown said, alluding to a 21-point home loss last year. “We subtly reminded them of it. It's our home court. I was pleased for the most part. I thought everyone played very well. That's what we do. That's our team defense. It doesn't matter who we play. I thought we played terrible zone offense until the end, when we lit it up. I thought (Mick) just drilled them and that showed immense amounts of character.”
The Stags then beat visiting Massabesic 78-56 Saturday to improve to 14-0. Cheverus' quest to go unbeaten still has challenges at Thornton Academy, South Portland and Portland before the regular season closes with a home game versus Deering.
Westbrook, Thornton Academy, South Portland, Portland and Deering continue to chase the Stags in the Western A Heals.
In Western B, the top two teams will do battle Tuesday night when 13-1 Falmouth hosts 12-2 Greely. The Yachtsmen won at the Rangers to start the year and will look to take a big step toward the top tournament seed with another victory. Defending regional champion Cape Elizabeth is right in the hunt with Lake Region, Mountain Valley and Yarmouth hanging tough.
Hockey: Greely wins Class A vs. Class B showdown
The Greely boys hockey team has had some brushes with greatness over the years, but this Rangers' edition might be the best yet. Saturday, Greely improved to 11-1 with a 2-1 win at two-time defending Class A state champion Biddeford.
The Rangers are still in a dogfight with rival Cape Elizabeth for the top spot in Western Class B. The teams meet again Feb. 7 at Greely.
In Western A, Scarborough snapped a four-game losing skid with a 4-3 overtime win over visiting Thornton Academy Saturday, the Red Storm's second victory in extra time this winter against the Golden Trojans. Scarborough is hoping to make a run at top seeds Gorham, Thornton Academy, Falmouth, South Portland and Biddeford.
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.
