by Mike Lowe, Special to the BDN
Cheverus High scored the first 12 points of the game en route to a 30-point lead after one quarter and overwhelmed Bangor 82-39 Friday night in a Class AA North boys basketball quarterfinal game in Portland.
The second-ranked Stags (16-3) will play third-ranked Portland (15-4) in the regional semifinals next Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Cross Insurance Arena. Seventh-ranked Bangor finished 1-18, its lone victory coming on Jan. 9, a 64-57 decision over rival Brewer.
Gio St. Onge led Cheverus with 19 points, 15 in the first half, while Leo McNabb had 14. Bangor was led by Ryan Ford with eight and Liam Vigue with six.
Cheverus had won the two regular-season games against Bangor, 65-51 at Bangor on Jan. 6 and 75-38 on Feb. 2 in Portland. This game followed the pattern of the second meeting.
Cheverus forced 11 turnovers in the first quarter and Bangor missed its first five shots as the Stags raced out to its quick lead. Its defense harassed the Rams all over the court, leading to several easy baskets.
After Kadin Thomas scored on a short jumper for Bangor to make it 12-2, Cheverus scored the next 20 points, controlling the inside at both ends of the court and working the ball around for open 3-point attempts.
It was 32-2 after one and, while Bangor played much better in the second quarter, the Stags extended their lead to 47-15 at the half. Cheverus came out hot in the third once again and lengthened the lead even more, 66-27 entering the fourth.
