PORTLAND – Top-ranked Scarborough had a couple of problems Friday night in its Western Class A girls’ basketball semifinal against Biddeford.
First, it was without starter Jenn Colpitts, who broke her wrist in the quarterfinals and is done for the season.
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And second, it trailed the fifth-seeded Tigers 14-5 late in the opening quarter.
But showing resiliency, the Red Storm ran off 11 straight points midway through the second half, then held on for a 39-29 victory at the Cumberland County Civic Center.
Scarborough (20-0) will play Deering (18-2) for the regional title at 7 tonight at the Civic Center.
In a rematch of last year’s semifinal, won by Biddeford, Brittany Ross sparked Scarborough with eight fourth-quarter points.
”We had plenty of incentive from last year’s game,” said Ross.
That incentive took a while to kick in.
Biddeford (15-5) took a 6-0 lead. After Ross hit a 3-pointer, the Tigers responded with the next four points.
Not having Colpitts, the team leader in steals and assists, affected the Red Storm early.
”The six seniors have been playing together since the sixth grade,” said Ross, a senior. ”We really wanted this game for Jenn. We want to make history and win a state title for her.”
Biddeford had its own problems. Keila Grigware, its best player, collected her third foul before halftime, then her fourth with 2:51 left in the third quarter. She didn’t return until 4:24 was left in the game.
Scarborough settled down in the second quarter, going on a 9-0 run to take its first lead at 19-17. Ellie Morin, who replaced Colpitts, scored the last four points of the spurt. She finished with nine points.
”Ellie Morin was huge for us,” said Scar-borough Coach Jim Seavey. ”She also did a good defensive job on Grigware.
”I think early on it was the pressure of being the No. 1 team. We were playing not to lose instead of playing to win. Once we started to play to win, we were fine.”
Jacklyn McCurry hit a shot at the buzzer to give Biddeford a 20-19 halftime lead. The Tigers missed three layups to start the third quarter, but still went on top 24-19 on a 3-pointer by Lauren Rousseau.
Moments later, Grigware went to the bench with her fourth foul. It soon started to unravel for the Tigers.
”We knew we had to capitalize with Keila on the bench,” said Ross.
The Red Storm scored their first points of the third quarter on an inside basket by Carly Rogers. A minute later, Christy Manning hit a 3-pointer to tie it at 24-24.
Scarborough’s run continued into the fourth quarter as Morin hit a free throw, Ross scored on a drive while being fouled and made the foul shot, and Manning scored on a drive to make it 30-24.
Grigware returned following the three-point play by Ross. Trailing by six, the Tigers cut it to 30-28 on baskets by Grigware and Rousseau. But Grigware fouled out with 1:44 left.
Scarborough then made six straight from the line to seal it. Manning, Ross and Rogers hit two each. The Red Storm lost point guard Heather Carrier with her fifth foul with 2:28 remaining.
Biddeford Coach Ron Cote said Grigware’s absence hurt his team.
”We need her presence,” said Cote. ”She’s the spark offensively and defensively.
”We had a great start. Aimee Michaud shot the heck out of the ball. We played well for 31/2 quarters.”
Ross led Scarborough with 11 points.
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be reached at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
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