Jack Casale scored a game-high 27 points, leading Cheverus to a 54-44 win over Oxford Hills in a Class AA North boys’ basketball game Thursday.

Casale was consistent with his scoring, putting up seven points in the first quarter, six in the second, seven in the third, and seven in the fourth.

“I think just knowing that everyone on the team can score, that takes pressure off me so it’s easier for me to score,” said Casale. “Just getting to the rim and not settling for jump shots.”

Casale got into early foul trouble, getting his second personal immediately in the second quarter, forcing him to the bench. He was able to return a few minutes later and scored six points in the final four minutes.

“(Casale) wasn’t happy (about sitting) but he went in (halfway through the second quarter) and played smart. We need him to score double digits every game if we have a chance,” said Cheverus Coach Ryan Soucie.

Casale added six rebounds and two assists.

“(Casale) wants the ball. He wants to be in that spotlight. He’s a gamer and he really came up big,” said Soucie.

Casale played excellent defense on Matt Fleming of Oxford Hills, holding him to 10 points.

The game was tied at 10-10 after one quarter, but Cheverus (4-1) dominated the second and third quarters by a 32-17 margin to take control of the game.

“We had to be more aggressive. We were a little soft (defensively in the first quarter),” said Soucie.

Oxford Hills (3-3) tried to scratch its way back into the game with a push late in the fourth quarter and gained some momentum off a pair of 3-pointers from Chris St. Pierre, shrinking the 19-point deficit to 13 with 1:30 left in the game.

A bucket from Atreyu Keniston with 45 seconds left made it 50-39, but the Stags made all four of their free throws down the stretch to put the game away.

Both teams shot well from the line in the first half: Oxford Hills 88 percent (7 of 8) and Cheverus 75 percent (6 of 8).

But Oxford Hills missed all eight of its attempts in the second half while Cheverus made 7 of 11.

“Everyone has confidence in everybody making those free throws. Anyone that goes to the line, I’m confident in,” said Casale.

Jess Matthews played a solid game for Cheverus, finishing with 12 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two blocks.

Oxford Hills grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, 10 in the second half. The problem for the Vikings was they weren’t able to convert many of those offensive boards into points, finishing the game with just six second-chance points.

“I’m not happy that we gave up that many second-chance opportunities,” said Soucie. “But (Oxford Hills) crashed the boards hard, credit to them.

“We got some key rebounds when we needed them.”

Cole Verrier led Oxford Hills with 17 points.

“We definitely need to play tougher (going forward), play smarter, talk on defense,” said Casale.

“We played all right but to beat the better teams as we go deeper into the season, we need to play a lot better.”

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