A 13-day layoff between the end of the season and the playoffs? No problem.
An injury to one of its starters? Next man up.
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There wasn’t much that could deter the South Portland High boys’ basketball team Tuesday night as it breezed into the Class AA South championship game with a 78-53 victory against Scarborough at Cross Insurance Arena.
Top-seeded South Portland (16-3), last year’s state runner-up, will meet second-seeded Thornton Academy (17-2) in the regional final at 8 p.m. Friday at the CIA.
The fifth-seeded Red Storm (7-13) went into the game with a ton of confidence, thanks to winning six of their last eight regular-season games after an 0-10 start, then beating fourth-seeded Bonny Eagle in the quarterfinals.
But South Portland gave the Red Storm no chance, extending a 16-5 lead after the first quarter to 41-20 at halftime. Scarborough, which lost twice to South Portland in the regular season, never got closer than 20 after that.
“Playing on the bigger court, we were able to spread out more,” said Ruay Bol, who scored 18 of his 22 points in the first half and finished with 10 rebounds for the Red Riots. “We had room to move. I found the holes and the guys were getting me the ball.”
Bol scored 14 points in the second quarter in a variety of ways – fast-break layups, offensive rebounds, a runner in the lane and a 15-foot jumper.
“When he gets that look in his eye, there aren’t many people who can stop him,” said South Portland Coach Kevin Millington. “If he can get to the rim and he’s finishing, it’s tough for anyone.”
The Riots were missing point guard Deandre White, who was injured in practice during the layoff following the regular season. But Riley Hasson moved from shooting guard and filled the void.
In addition to 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, Hasson orchestrated a quicker game for the Red Riots.
“(Riley) created such a fast pace. We got layups up the floor, scoring so fast off (Scarborough’s) scores,” Millington added. “With our depth, it’s tough for other teams when that happens.”
Scarborough Coach Phil Conley, a former Red Riots coach, said his team couldn’t keep up.
“South Portland is a very good team with a lot of weapons, both inside and outside,” said Conley. “We hoped to slow them down a little bit, but they started out fast.”
Nick Discatio (13 points, eight rebounds) and Reece Lagerquist (13 points, seven rebounds) paced Scarborough. Jaquan Seme came off the bench to score eight points and grab six rebounds.
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