By Michael Hoffer
MaxPreps.com
The Cheverus boys basketball team is just two wins away from a perfect regular season. The Stags passed a couple more road tests last week to improve to 16-0.
After winning 57-48 at Thornton Academy last Tuesday, behind 21 points from junior Indiana Faithfull and 16 from senior Mick DiStasio, Cheverus went to South Portland Friday for the teams' second showdown in a week.
The Stags won by 19 at home in the first game, but this time the Red Riots hung tough most of the way. South Portland led by two, 29-27, late in the third period before Cheverus went on a game-breaking 13-0 run. The dagger was a circus, falling-out-of-bounds prayer by Faithfull at the end of the third period. The Stags seized control in the fourth and went on to a 52-39 win behind 17 points from DiStasio and 16 from Faithfull.
“I felt we showed who we were down the stretch,” said Cheverus coach Bob Brown, who once upon a time led South Portland to glory as the Red Riots' head man. “We made shots and made big plays. This was great for us. We've had one game under 10 points. We have to be able to play down the stretch.”
“It was fun,” Faithfull said. “We're the targets. Everyone looks to knock us out. It was good to have a close game. Especially going into the playoffs. We'll try to keep getting better from here.”
The other big Western A game Friday night pitted Portland against visiting Deering. The Bulldogs won by just three at the Rams earlier this season, but the rematch was never close as Portland shot to a 30-12 halftime lead and cruised to a 71-47 decision.
Cheverus continues to lead the Heal Points standings. Westbrook, South Portland, Thornton Academy, Portland and Deering follow. The Stags hope to beat Portland and Deering this week to cap an undefeated regular year.
In Western B, Falmouth has fallen on tough times. The Yachtsmen dropped a pair of home games to fierce rivals last week and also saw steady senior Jack Wyman sidelined with a dislocated shoulder. Falmouth fell 61-38 to Greely last Tuesday, then dropped a hard-fought 73-70 decision to defending regional champion Cape Elizabeth Friday.
Greely now leads in the Heals with Falmouth and Cape Elizabeth closing in. The Rangers close the regular year at the Capers Friday in a game which will likely determine who gets the top seed for the tournament.
Girls Basketball: Falmouth Sizzling
After a slow start, the Falmouth girls have hit their stride. The Yachtsmen were just 5-6 after a loss at Gray-New Gloucester Jan. 13, but they have bounced back to win five in a row, including a 58-40 home win over Greely last Tuesday which featured a 36-9 game-closing run. Falmouth hosts undefeated and top ranked York Tuesday.
In Western A, Deering remains the gold standard. The Rams decimated hosts Massabesic 82-27 and Marshwood 67-37 to improve to 16-0. Deering has the top seed locked up for the tournament and is looking to go undefeated for the first time. The Rams close at home against South Portland and Cheverus, two of many contenders chasing Deering and Scarborough.
Western C power Waynflete was upset at St. Dom's last Tuesday, but bounced back Friday to down visiting Sacopee by 35 to improve to 13-3. The Flyers are battling Jay for the top spot in the standings and need to beat visiting three-time defending Western B champion Lake Region in a showdown Wednesday.
Hockey: Scarborough Back on Track
After losing four straight to fall to 5-5, Scarborough's hockey team has now won back-to-back contests to return to form. Saturday, the Red Storm humbled Cheverus 11-1.
Scarborough is one of several teams jockeying for top playoff positioning. Also in the mix are two-time defending Class A champion Biddeford, Falmouth, Thornton Academy and St. Dom's.
In Western B, Greely improved to 13-1 Saturday with a 12-1 home win over Camden. The Rangers have a healthy lead in the Heal Points and will get a stern test Saturday night when they host the one team in the region that can play with them, Cape Elizabeth, in what is likely a regional final preview.
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
