AUGUSTA $ Deering High won its second consecutive Class A state girls basketball championship Saturday night, pulling away in the second half to beat Messalonskee 49-34 at the Augusta Civic Center.

In winning their 36th consecutive game, the Rams relied on the inside power of Claire Ramonas and Kayla Burchill in the second half, combined with the brilliant direction of Diana Manduca, to pull away from a one-point halftime leaad.

Manduca led Deering (22-0) with 14 points while Burchill had 13 and Ramonas 10.

Messalonskee (19-3) was led by Ariana Perry with nine points.

Claire Ramonas re-entered the game after missing most of the first half and scored six points in the third period as Deering took control. Kayla Burchill also had six in the period to help Deering dominate inside.

Jess Ruhlin's driving basket at the buzzer gave Deering an 11-point lead entering the fourth.

Diana Manduca and Kayla Burchill each had four points for Deering in the second quarter as the Rams took a one-point halftime lead after two sloppy periods.

The Rams held Messalonskee without a field goal in the second quarter as the Eagles missed eight shots and committed five turnovers.

Trailing 12-9, Burchill scored two baskets to put the Rams ahead at the half.

Deering played most of the first half without center Claire Ramonas, who picked up her second foul with 3:02 left in the first quarter and appeared to hurt her right leg on the play.

Deering came out ice cold at the Augusta Civic Center, hitting just 1-of-16 shots in the first quarter.

The Rams stayed as close as they were because theyforced five Messalonskee turnovers.

The Eagles took the lead at 4-3 on a driving layup by Ariana Perry.

E-mail this entry to a friend