Top-ranked Deering had too much defense and too many scorers, pulling away from No.3 Noble early and easing to its second Class A West championship in five years.

Nicole Garland led Deering with 16 points while Diana Manduca had 15. Manduca had 12 in the first half, when Deering opened a 16-point lead.

Deering had a 15-point lead several times in the fourth quarter.

Noble was led by Sloane Sorrell with 12 and Margaret Burns with 10.

Deering (19-2) will play Oxford Hills in the state championship game next Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland.

Third quarter: Deering 41-30

Noble picked up its defensive intensity and got the ball inside to Sloane Sorrell and pulled within nine several times in the third quarter.

Sorrell had 10 points in the quarter.

But Deering always responded. Claire Ramonas scored inside to maintain an 11-point lead, then Nichoe Garland, who had seven of Noble's nine points in teh quarter, hit two foul shots to make it 41-30 entering the fourth.

Second quarter: Deering 32-16

Deering completed dominated the second quarter, opening with an 18-2 run that put the Rams safely into the lead.

Deering's biggest lead in the second quarter was 19 points, which the Rams achieved twice.

Defense was again a factor, as the Rams never let Noble's top scorer, Sloane Sorrell, get the ball. She had just two shots in the first half, with no points.

Deering's scoring was balanced in the first half as Diana Manduca scored 12 points, Nicole Garland seven and Claire Ramonas five.

First quarter: Deering 16-9

Deering's defense completed dominated the first quarter as the Rams forced nine Noble turnovers and coach Kyle Keenan to call three time-outs.

Deering actually trailed 6-4 after Margaret Burns scored, then Diana Manduca took over, hitting two 3-pointers within 30 seconds of each other to make it 10-6.

She later stole a pass and scored to make it 14-6. Following an Alysssa Stokes' 3-pointer thant made it 14-9, Nicole Garland scored at the buzzer for a 16-9 Deering lead.

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