By The WIZ.. Wow! This is it folk’s it is Tourney Time. Every year you hear the same old thing that when the tournament starts it is a brand new season and this is all very true, but this year more than ever because of things that have happened and so many teams are evenly matched “This Baby Is Wide Open”. Keegan Hyland (South Portland) States # 1 player has been out all season, but he did suit up against Portland this past Tuesday night and then on Friday night he played against Cheverus and his Red Riots team bumps off the Stags ending their undefeated season. Keegan came off the bench and played in all 4 quarters in three to four minutes spurts and he finished with a game high 18 points. So it looks like Keegan will be a go for the tournament. Indy Faithfull (Cheverus) as we all know has used up all his 8 semester eligibility and he can’t play in the tournament. Cheverus has been the top favorite in Class A all year, but now without Indy it kind of evens things out in Western Class A. Is Cheverus still the favorite or does that now go to Westbrook or South Portland?
By Michael Hoffer..PORTLAND—This time it took four extra minutes, but the Deering girls' basketball team found a way to hold off neighbor and rival McAuley once again. Just eight days after holding on for a nine-point win at home, the Rams went to the Lions' Den and endured a late tying basket by the hosts which forced overtime. In the extra session, a clutch steal and layup from senior Claire Ramonas put Deering ahead to stay and last-second 3-point attempt from McAuley senior Caitlin Cimino was off the mark allowing the Rams to win 44-41 and end the season on a 15-game winning streak
By Michael Hoffer..FALMOUTH—The Falmouth boys' basketball team is no longer undefeated and it's not going to be the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Western Class B tournament. That's because Friday night in front of an overflowing crowd, the two-time defending regional champion Cape Elizabeth Capers raced to a 14-point third period lead and held on for dear life down the stretch to beat the Yachtsmen, who, behind red-hot shooting from senior standout Stefano Mancini, got as close as one, but two late free throws from Capers senior Andrew Dickey pushed the lead back to three and a last-second 35-foot 3-point bid from Mancini drew the back of the iron, giving Cape Elizabeth a 48-45 triumph, leaving both teams 17-1 on the year.
By Eric Carson..SOUTH PORTLAND—Clutching a basketball like he always does, Keegan Hyland pushed open the door for the first time in more than a year and charged out in front of his Red Riots for the real thing, filling what little spaces remained open with a current blast of energy that swept on through and quickened the collective pulse of an already hyped-up crowd on hand to witness the second-coming of Maine’s top high school basketball player.
