PORTLAND — Sanford proved it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, as the Spartans beat a considerably taller Deering team with sound defense to win 52-45 in an SMAA boys basketball game at Deering High School on Tuesday.
Sanford (8-4) set the tone on the defensive end early, as Deering (8-5) opened the game with a 34-second possession, but was held without a shot attempt.
Evyn Nolette then hit a 3-pointer on the other end for Sanford as part of an 11-point first half ”“ including three 3-pointers.
The Rams made just three field goals in the opening quarter, and the Spartans were able to turn Deering’s misses into easy baskets at the other end.
“During the last six, we haven’t given up over 50 points,” said Sanford head coach Paul Nolette of the team’s winning streak. “It’s really our commitment to the defensive end. And that allows us to get in some transition, knock down some open shots. It’s really all about our defensive effort.
“It’s five guys who are committed to the defensive end. Four guys can’t play D; it takes five. And the guys have bought into it.”
Jordan Tranchemontagne missed a contested 3-pointer at the buzzer for Sanford, but the Spartans still led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter.
Sanford doubled its lead in the second quarter, using an 8-0 run ”“ including back-to-back 3-pointers by Chase Smith-Roberts and Nolette ”“ to pull ahead 26-18.
The Spartans had a chance to push the lead to double digits, but they threw the ball out of bounds trying to run out the clock at the end of the half and weren’t able to get a shot off.
Sanford finally did get its lead to double digits early in the third quarter, but it took a couple tries. Smith-Roberts missed two 3-point attempts on the opening possession, but Tranchemontagne converted from behind the arc the next time down.
That, however, was the last field goal the Spartans made in the quarter, as the Rams closed out the third on a 7-1 run ”“ capped off by a Benedict Williams’ layup at the buzzer ”“ to close to within 32-27.
“It was back to the drawing board in that fourth quarter. We knew we were struggling a little bit in the third quarter ”“ let them get back in the game,” said Tranchemontagne. “We came out (in the fourth), we played with passion, played hard defense, and that’s what won the game for us.”
The deficit was closed to 32-30 when Deering’s Patrick Lobor converted a three-point play in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
But Sanford was able to turn the momentum back in its favor, with Tranchemontagne leading the charge. The Spartans had three-consecutive steals that led to layups the other way, with Tranchemontagne sandwiching two such plays around one by Nolette. The quick run extended the Spartan lead to 41-32 with 5:37 to play.
“(Jordan) struggled in that first half. We told him it’s a new possession every play. Just live for that next possession,” said Nolette. “And he made about three or four straight steals and just got us over the hump.”
“I’m just glad coach had the confidence in me to put me back in the game,” said Tranchemontagne. “I came out, just played my defense.”
Deering then used its size and a full-court press to create turnovers on inbounds passes and cut the lead back down to 41-38.
But again Sanford was able to pull away, with another Tranchemontagne steal and layup making it 45-38 with 2:36 left.
“There were a lot of momentum shifts late in that game. It was nip and tuck there for a little bit,” said Nolette.
The Spartans sealed the win with a 50-second possession with two minutes to play that ended with a reverse layup by John Morgan.
“It’s a big win. We’re going to jump up in the (Heal Points),” said Tranchemontagne, who was right about the standings. The Spartans jumped from ninth to sixth with the win.
Morgan finished with a game-high 16 points, including nine in the fourth quarter, while Nolette and Tranchemontagne pitched in with 15 and 13, respectively.
Ahmed Ali ”“ Deering’s 6-foot-7 versatile forward ”“ led the Rams with nine points, but just two field goals.
Sanford has beaten four current playoff teams during its winning streak, but none as big as Deering. Nolette said the streak is a bit of a surprise to him.
“Seven games in the SMAA ”¦ am I surprised? Yeah. Did I think that we had the ability to win games? Yes. (But) Seven in a row, against some quality opponents ”¦ you expect a hiccup somewhere along the line,” said Nolette. “But they’re playing with a lot of confidence.”
“We work hard,” Tranchemontagne said about what has been key during the streak. “Coach said in the locker room he thinks we work harder than anybody else. We just give it 110 percent every time out there.”
— Staff Writer Wil Kramlich can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 323 or sports@journaltribune.com. Follow him on Twitter @WilTalkSports.
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