The Moss brothers showed again Friday night just what they mean to the Portland High boys’ basketball team. And because they did, the Bulldogs have another victory against crosstown rival Deering.

The Bulldogs beat the Rams for the second time this season – the only two losses for the Rams, earning a 74-64 victory at the Portland Expo in a game between the two best teams in Class AA.

If they meet again – and only a major upset would prevent it – it would be in February in the Class AA North final at the Augusta Civic Center.

By then Deering would have to figure out a way to handle the Moss brothers – senior Amir Moss and his sophomore brother, Terion.

“When I was younger, I used to go to open gyms and play against older guys that used to be Portland High School Bulldogs or Deering High Rams, or just playing against older guys in my area,” Amir Moss said. “When I played against them, they wouldn’t let me on the court unless I played how they played. Playing with them helped me grow up and mature, and learn to get to the basket and to the rim.”

The brothers were adept in attacking the rim for the Bulldogs (15-1) against the Rams (14-2).

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“I used to post (Terion) a lot (in one-on-one games),” said Amir Moss. “He’s getting used to playing down low, getting hit here and there. He’s tried driving on me a couple times and just being a big brother, I had to bruise him a few times. I didn’t want him to score on me.”

Added Terion Moss: “It paid off – it really did. When I was a little kid it was hard for me to get the rim. Playing with him I had to get stronger and more physical to be able to drive.”

Amir Moss poured in 20 points to go with six rebounds. Terion Moss had 18 points with six rebounds and four assists.

“Those two guys know how to play basketball and they play great together,” said Portland Coach Joe Russo. “They do score points for us because they have the ability. They’re also our offensive focus.

“They create the offense for us because if you don’t cover them, they can score and if you do cover them, they’re able to dish and make their teammates better.”

Joe Esposito added to Portland’s offense with 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

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“Ten points a game but it seems like he gets 30 points,” said Russo. “He gets assists, steals, diving for loose balls. He just keeps that engine going. He rebounds, he throws it long. We just go, go, go with him in the game.”

Freshman reserve Pedro Fonseca chipped in nine points for the Bulldogs.

Ben Williams led Deering with 18 points to go with five rebounds and four assists. Raffaele Salamone added 16 points and 10 rebounds, Malik White added 13 points, Max Chabot had 10 and Anthony Lobor chipped in seven for the Rams.

“Our spacing was off all night,” said Deering Coach Todd Wing.

“When our spacing is off, our offense is off. As a result we didn’t get any easy baskets and we should have. We’ve got to go and regroup, get back to basics and improve.”


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