The AA Round-Up: Windham at the Buzzer

Boys: Windham 57, Oxford Hills 54

Oxford Hills (6-10) is at the top of the newsletter for the second time in as many editions, for good reason, this time against top seeded Windham (15-2).

Let's start right in the 4th quarter with 8.9 seconds to play in regulation. Vikings' senior forward Holden Shaw stands at the free throw line and swishes both shots.

The Eagles inbound to their point guard Quinton Lindsay, who drives to the near elbow, draws a two defenders, and kicks to a wide open A.J Moody in the corner.

Moody nails it as time expires to help Windham escape with a shorthanded victory, as they were missing Creighty Dickson.

Lindsay had 15, Moody and Blake McPherson tied with 12, and Tyrie James dropped in 11 of his own. The Eagles picked up 13.67 heals and gave themselves a bye to the regional semi-finals with the win.

Girls: South Portland 38, Gorham 31

I felt a little bit of déjà vu during the Game of the Day, it felt like the season opener way back on December 8.

The Red Riots (14-3) dismantled Gorham's (13-3) full court pressure, easily passing through it in the back court and finding lanes to the basket all day. Other then 4 free throws, 34 of their 38 points came from the paint or in the mid range. They did not hit a 3.

The Rams couldn't get past a stifling South Portland defense that entered the game allowing only 35.9 points per game all season. Ellie Gay had 16, but nobody else touched double figures for the Rams.

The loss ended an 11 game win streak for Gorham, South Portland's increased to 13.

The 30.11 heal point win boosts SoPo to within 0.1 heals behind the Rams for 1st in AA South. They host Sanford (4th, 23.11 PI) next Thursday. As I mentioned in the post that followed the one above, it's simple: If South Portland wins, they will claim the 1st seed. if they lose, it will be Gorham who doesn't have to play a quarterfinal.

Boys: Gorham 63, South Portland 51

What did I say about déjà vu? We got the same results in the same double header less then two months apart from each other.

The Caden Smith-less Rams (15-2) struggled to find a groove in their first full game without their senior captain, allowing the Red Riots (7-9) to jump out to a 31-27 lead at the break.

SoPo junior Tom Maloji exploded for a season-high 18 points, 16 of those coming in the first half. He led the team in points.

Gorham used a 21-6 3rd quarter to take the lead for good. Atticus Whitten stepped up with a 3 threes, freshman Colten Jewett connected on his first three of the year, and Jack Karlonas added one as well. It was nice to see the role players step up in Smith's absence.

Ashton Leclerc collected 22 points and Gabe Michaud added 17 of his own.

With the win, Gorham solidified their place atop AA South before their final game at Scarborough (2nd, 30.22 PI). The Rams are at 142.28 total heals and their PI is 34.67, so Scarborough at 105.00 total heals won't be able to catch up even if they win Thursday.

Elsewhere:

Ruth Boles (19 points) was Cheverus' leading scorer instead of Maddie Ftzpatrick, who had 11 in their win over Bangor... Addison Sulikowski poured in 24, Emma Lizotte dropped 23 in the Trojans win over Massabesic... and Bonny Eagle upset Sanford (55-52) behind LucasDrinkwater's 18 points.