PORTLAND – Portland beat Deering for the second time this season, and it wasn’t even close.
Getting an early jump on the top-ranked Rams, the No. 2 Bulldogs went on to a 46-22 win in an SMAA boys’ basketball regular-season finale Friday night at the Portland Expo.
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While the win wasn’t enough for Portland to overtake Deering for the top spot in next weekend’s Western Class A tournament, it gave the Bulldogs a major shot in the arm.
Late in the season, Portland (14-4) beat Deering twice, Cheverus and South Portland.
For Deering (15-3), the tournament can’t start fast enough. Three nights after beating Cheverus for the first time in six seasons, the Rams had their lowest total of the season, making only 8 of 39 shots from the floor.
“We just didn’t play well,” said Deering Coach Dan LeGage. “We had a good regular season but now it’s on to the tournament where everyone is 0-0.”
It was a physical game most Portland-Deering games are. The Bulldogs got loose balls, scored off fast breaks and set plays, and generally disrupted Deering’s offense.
“Both teams played hard,” said Portland Coach Joe Russo. “In this type of game it’s tough to get into a flow. Deering’s defense gave us problems, too. I was real pleased with how we got in the passing lanes and got loose balls. Our defense kept them off balance.”
Two of the Bulldogs’ first three baskets were 3-pointers. After Thiwat Thiwat of Deering made one from the line, Mike Herrick, who is finding his shot after battling a foot injury for most of the season (he had 21 points against South Portland on Tuesday), hit a 3-pointer from the side. Peter Donato scored on a drive and after a turnover, Justin Zukowski hit a 3 from the opposite side to make it 8-1.
Thiwat scored on a drive for his team’s only basket of the first quarter. Deering pulled within six points away early in the second quarter before the Bulldogs spurted.
They closed the first half with an 8-2 run. Jayvon Pitts-Young had two of the baskets.
Deering was 3 of 14 in the first half and 5 of 25 in the second. Jon Amabile, the Rams’ leading scorer at just over 18 points per game, was held to three.
“We rotated a couple of players on him all night,” said Russo. “I feel we played as hard as we could.”
Zukowski led the Bulldogs with 12 points and Peter Donato added 10. His telling stat was 13 rebounds. The 6-foot-4 Donato won the battle inside against 6-6 Labson Abwoch and the 6-4 Thiwat.
“Pete gave us a big game,” said Zukowski. “He controlled the boards and really dominated inside. This was a pride game.”
Said Russo of Donato: ” Pete has been our beacon of light all season. He played well in all facets of the game tonight and showed why he’s one of the best players in the league.”
Looking ahead to what likely will be a wide- open Western Maine tournament, Zukowski said: “We just have to take care of business.”
LeGage didn’t have an explanation for his team’s performance. How could he after the regular season the Rams had? They played well enough to get the top seed for the tournament that begins next Friday.
LeGage said: “I thought some guys played hard. Thiwat worked hard the entire game.”
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Twitter: TomChardPPH
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