PORTLAND – All season, Bill Goodman has pushed his McAuley High girls’ basketball team to get better, to improve from game to game, day to day.

It’s going to be awfully difficult for the Lions to improve on what they did Saturday night.

Additional Photos

Molly Mack of McAuley cuts down the net after the Lions repeated as the Western Class A champion with a 61-43 victory against Scarborough. John Ewing/Staff Photographer

Olivia Smith of McAuley controls a rebound between Carly Rogers, left, and Mary Redmond of Scarborough. McAuley will play Cony for the state championship next Saturday. John Ewing

Pushing the tempo both offensively and defensively, McAuley successfully defended its Western Class A title with an impressive 61-43 victory over second-ranked Scarborough at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

With sophomore guard Allie Clement and senior forward Alexa Coulombe directing the pace, McAuley jumped on the foul-plagued Red Storm and never relinquished its early lead.

“I’ve been very lucky to be able to coach these girls, very lucky,” said Goodman, the first-year McAuley coach. “The defense they played all year and tonight was amazing. The ball movement, everything. Everything the coaches asked them to do, they did.

“We got to do what we do best. We played good half-court defense and figured tonight, (Scarborough) would be a little aggressive, we’d be able to run a little bit. This was our best game of the year. And they saved it for the right time.”

McAuley (21-0) will defend its state championship against Cony (21-0) at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center. This is McAuley’s eighth trip to the state game, the fourth against Cony.

“It’s nice,” said Coulombe, the highly touted senior who will attend Boston College. “It’s icing on the cake for all the hard work we did this year.”

Clement, who struggled with her shot in the regular season, found her groove in the tournament. She scored 19 against Scarborough, hitting three 3-pointers (including buzzer-beaters at the end of the second and third quarters), and had six assists.

Sophomore Olivia Smith had 15 points, and Coulombe had eight, with six assists. Coulombe was presented with the Edward “Red” McMann Award, given to the tournament’s outstanding player/sportsman.

“Tonight she showed why she is one of the best players in the state,” said Goodman.

McAuley took control quickly. Its defense and aggressive offense forced the Red Storm into early foul trouble. Scarborough was called for 14 fouls in the first half, versus just four on McAuley.

It was 3-3 late in the first quarter when Clement hit a jumper in the lane, then followed with a 3-pointer from the left wing. Smith followed with two foul shots — sending standout freshman Ashley Briggs to the bench with her third foul just 6:32 into the game — and McAuley had a 10-3 lead.

The Red Storm (19-2) wouldn’t get closer than six again.

The Lions ran and pushed the tempo, finishing the half with a flourish as Clement hit an open 3 from the left of the key to make it 32-16.

“McAuley played very well,” said Tom Maines, Scarborough’s first-year coach. “They handled the ball, passed the ball and shot extremely well. And we got in foul trouble. One thing led to another.

“We never gave up. And that’s going to be our mantra for a long time is that they do not quit. I’m very proud of these kids. McAuley showed why they’re undefeated.”

Carly Rogers led Scarborough with 14 points and Mary Redmond had 11.

Clement gave Scarborough a lot of credit for pushing the Lions as hard as they did.

“We knew we couldn’t have any letdowns,” she said. “They really helped us get to where we are. They’re a great team. I think our (past tournament) experience really helped us. We knew what it was like to be here.”

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com

Twitter: MikeLowePPH

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