Their records are close but McAuley High girls’ basketball coach Bill Goodman says there’s little similarity between his 9-1 team and unbeaten Gorham (10-0).

The teams meet Thursday night at McAuley. The Lions lost Tuesday for the first time this season, 57-45 at South Portland.

“Four games in a row we’ve not played well and I knew it was going to catch up with us,” Goodman said. “To be honest, we’re struggling with everything. We have to figure it out. We’re struggling and (Gorham is) playing great basketball. We’re going to have to be totally into it to give them a game.”

In recent wins, McAuley started sluggishly.

The same thing happened Tuesday and the Red Riots – led by Maddie Hasson (22 points), Meghan Graff (17) and freshman Katie Whitmore (9 in the first quarter) – had the offense to turn what Goodman called McAuley’s “really bad defense and bad decisions on offense,” into their own insurmountable 35-15 halftime deficit.

Gorham, playing at a high level, has put several teams away by halftime. The Rams’ new additions have fit in nicely with returning starters Emily Esposito – an all-state player – point guard Kaylea Lundin and Kristen Curley. Freshman center Mackenzie Holmes at 6-foot-2 has added a true post presence and scored 12 or more points in nine of the 10 games (she had nine points in the other). Danasia Fennie (transfer from Westbrook) is another multiyear SMAA starter.

Holmes’ matchup against McAuley’s 6-2 senior Jess Willerson will be an interesting subplot.

The Rams have been tested, in particular an early come-from-behind win at South Portland with Esposito out due to a wrist injury. But the toughest stretch of the season starts now.

Following the game at McAuley, Gorham hosts Deering (7-3) on Saturday and AA North contender Bangor (6-4, five straight wins) in a 2:30 p.m. matinee Monday. Gorham finishes with four of its final five on the road.

SOUTH PORTLAND Coach Lynne Hasson said her team had lost 11 straight to McAuley, dating to February 2008.

“They’re still McAuley and the reality is they hadn’t lost until (Tuesday) night so it still means something to beat them,” Hasson said.

South Portland (9-2) started the year 1-2, losing at McAuley, edging Deering, then losing at home to Esposito-less Gorham, averaging 38.3 points.

During its eight-game winning streak, South Portland has averaged 54.4 points and allowed 28.4 points.

“Absolutely it’s been improved defense and that’s what we’re priding ourselves on right now,” Hasson said. “I do think our offense is getting more comfortable but it’s definitley been the defense.”

THE TOP four teams in AA South (Gorham, South Portland, McAuley and No. 4 Thornton Academy) clearly have separated. Six teams make the playoff. The top two get byes to the regional semifinal. “It’s good because you’re in the semifinal. On the other hand you’ll have 12 days off and have to play a (good) team that got the playoff jitters out,” Hasson said.

In AA North, Deering (7-3) is second behind Edward Little, whose lone loss was to Deering.