AUGUSTA — It was close for one quarter, but Portland High continues to look unstoppable on its quest for another state championship.

The Bulldogs romped past Deering 70-39 to win the Class AA North boys’ basketball title Friday night at the Augusta Civic Center.

“We played almost a perfect game, to tell you the truth,” Portland Coach Joe Russo said.

Deering was within 22-16 after the first quarter but couldn’t keep up.

Senior Amir Moss led the Bulldogs with 19 points, 10 rebounds and three steals. His sophomore brother, Terion, added 16 points, eight assists and four rebounds. Joe Esposito scored 12 and grabbed six rebounds.

Malik White and Raffaele Salamone led Deering with eight points apiece.

The top-seeded Bulldogs (19-1) will play in their third straight championship game, taking on South Portland (12-9) at 8:30 p.m. next Saturday at the Cross Insurance Arena.

Portland, which lost last year’s final and won in 2014 – both against Hampden Academy before this season’s statewide realignment of classes – swept South Portland this season, including a 68-38 rout on Feb 2.

Since a 58-55 loss to Gorham on Jan. 8, the Bulldogs have won 10 straight – which includes three wins over second-seeded Deering (17-3), the only losses the Rams experienced this year.

“We knew we were a better team coming in,” Amir Moss said. “We just had to keep it simple and complete.”

Portland held Deering to one basket and one free throw in the second quarter to charge ahead 41-19 at halftime.

Portland shot 63 percent in the first half and the Rams shot 30 percent, including 1 of 13 in the second quarter.

Deering couldn’t penetrate Portland’s defense – mostly man-to-man with some zone.

“We mixed it up,” Russo said. “We’re normally a man team but they have a couple good shooters (inside) and we went zone.”

Point guard Terion Moss had seven assists in the first half, moving the ball around and finding the open shooter.

“He usually has a great game,” said Amir Moss. “When he’s going, we’re all going. He’s our offensive coordinator.”

Near the end of the first half, Terion Moss drove in, tripped and still got the ball out to Amir Moss, who overshot a 3-pointer. The ball came out to Terion Moss and he drained his second 3-pointer for a 39-19 lead.

Deering then lost the ball and Terion Moss bolted on a fast break for the 41-19 lead. He had 14 points in the first half.

“The kid is absolutely awesome,” Russo said. “He looks to his teammates first and then himself.”

Deering began the second half with four points, while Portland traveled twice and missed a shot. With the score 41-23, Russo called a timeout.

Charlie Lyall then scored on an offensive rebound. He blocked a shot on the other end and Amir Moss took off on a fast break, scoring the layup and the foul shot after. Amir Moss then made a steal and was fouled on another fast break. He hit both free throws and Portland was back up 48-23 and cruising.

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