Fifth-seeded Deering made the most of its opportunities Tuesday night, rallying for a 78-62 victory against 12th-ranked Scarborough in a Western Class A boys’ basketball prelim at Deering High.

The Rams (13-6) moved to a regional quarterfinal against fourth-seeded Gorham (13-5) at 7 p.m. Friday at the Portland Expo.

Because school and practices were canceled Monday, the teams had agreed to push the prelim back to Wednesday. Early Tuesday morning, the Maine Principals’ Association ordered them to play Tuesday night, as originally scheduled.

“If anyone can overcome adversity, it’s these guys,” Deering Coach Todd Wing said. “They overcome on a daily basis. It’s great to see them come out on top.”

Deering took advantage of a double-foul call on Milani Hicks (24 points, 10 rebounds) of Scarborough (8-11) that sent him to the bench with four fouls midway through the third quarter.

“(Hicks) is a heck of a player,” Deering center Raffaele Salamone said. “We had to be physical with him off screens and in the paint. Nothing cheap, just making sure he’s getting bumped off his path.”

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On the play, Hicks and Stephen Ochan of Deering got tangled and fell in front of the Rams’ bench.

“We’re up by five (41-36) and that double foul is a huge call,” Scarborough Coach Tony DiBiase said. “I hate to focus on one call. I don’t know what the double foul was. There was no malice there. (Ochan) was on the ground and Hicks just fell on him.”

With Hicks out, Deering went on an 18-2 run to take a 52-43 lead with 1:31 left in the third.

After being held in check for the first half, Deering forwards Garang Majok (21 points) and Ben Williams (19 points) combined for 31 of the Rams’ 47 second-half points.

“When (Williams) gets the ball at the high post, everyone says, ‘He’s going to the left,’ ” Wing said. “Well, stopping him is easier said than done. And Majok gives us a monster presence in the paint. He’s the second-leading rebounder in the league and he’s 6 feet tall.”

Williams shrugged when asked about his 15-point second half.

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“At halftime we knew we had the whole second half to make it up big time and that’s what we did,” Williams said. “I just try to bring energy to my team.”

Salamone set the stage for Majok and Williams, scoring 12 of his 16 points in the first half. Playing a tough inside game, Salamone opened the second quarter by scoring on a put-back and hitting both ends of a 1-and-1 to tie the game at 16. He later tied the game at 25.

“I just try to focus on the next play,” he said. “It’s always been a dream to play varsity and I’m just happy I can do my part.”

DiBiase said, “We went into the fourth and it was a six-point game (54-48 Deering). I thought we negated what they do well for 31/2 periods. Give our kids credit, we hung in there.”

Now Deering meets Gorham. Deering won both regular-season games, 71-49 and 80-51.

“Those earlier games, those are out the window,” Williams said. “I guarantee they will come prepared. We have to be prepared as well.”


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