For a guy who claims to be out of shape for basketball, Zordan Holman sure found his second wind Friday night.

Holman scored 10 of his 16 points and gathered five of his seven rebounds in the second half to lead Cheverus to a 47-46 comeback win over Deering in an SMAA boys’ game at Cheverus High’s Keegan Gymnasium.

While happy with the win, Holman winced at mention that he’d already racked up four fouls with five minutes remaining in the game.

“I’m not in basketball shape,” said Holman, who along with a few teammates missed the first two weeks of practice because the football team reached the Class A state final. “Those were just dumb fouls. Once I’m in shape, I won’t make so many.”

Brad Carney (15 points) hit three of his five 3-pointers in the third quarter as the Stags (4-1) outscored the Rams (2-2) 16-10 to tie the game at 36.

With 1:50 left in the third, Holman scored from the low post to tie it at 33. Then freshman Austin Boudreau, starting at point guard for the ailing Manny Ismail, hit a 3-pointer to put the Stags ahead for the first time.

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“Every good team’s going to throw a punch,” Deering Coach Todd Wing said. “We threw ours in the first half, they threw theirs in the second.

“Theirs was one point better tonight.”

Ahmed Ali (12 points, seven rebounds) answered with a 3-pointer of his own on Deering’s next possession.

“The crosstown games, every time we play Deering or Portland, there’s nothing like them,” Cheverus Coach Dan Costigan said. “It’s just intense. Every shot was contested; you can’t find it anywhere else.”

Deering got a spark from its inside game, as 6-foot-4 Patrick Labor (14 points, four rebounds) scored twice from the post around a short jumper from 6-7 Ali (12 points, seven rebounds). The 6-3 spurt put Deering ahead 42-39.

Holman scored twice from the low post to regain the lead for Cheverus, but he drew his fourth foul and went to the bench with five minutes to play.

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“I just had to calm down and play within myself,” Holman said. “Overall, we played well as a team defensively. It got a little sloppy at the end, but it’s a win.”

Sam Cross of Cheverus hit a free throw with just under four minutes to go. Lobor countered with two free throws to tie it at 44 with 3:02 left.

Holman returned with three minutes left and helped on the boards. Then Carney made his fifth 3-pointer with 2:20 to play to make it 47-44. After Chhorda Chhorn hit a shot to close it to 47-46, Cheverus missed three one-and-ones, but the Stags held on for the win.

Deering held a 10-6 lead after one quarter, as Cheverus failed to convert shots when it did break Deering’s press. Deering’s big men controlled the boards early, outrebounding the Stags 16-8 to help build a 26-20 lead at the half. Deering wound up with a 25-20 edge in rebounds.

“We struggled in stretches to score, and this is the first time we’ve matched up with a zone (defense),” Wing said. “You win more from losing, and down the stretch this will make us a better team.”


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