PORTLAND – Rashema Murphy, all of 5 feet, 2 inches tall despite a game program that listed her as 5-10, was asked how she could rise through a maze of legitimate 6-footers to grab a game-high 10 rebounds with a gold ball on the line.

“I got hops,” was the Deering of Portland sophomore’s response, immediately followed by the laugh of someone who knew better.

What Murphy and her teammates did have was a blend of quickness and experience that earned Deering its first Class A state girls basketball championship Saturday with a 50-41 win over previously undefeated Cony of Augusta before 3,500 fans at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

“I didn’t realize they were as quick as they were, and that was the turning point,” said Cony coach Paul Vachon. “They were able to take away a lot of our perimeter game. They did a great job defensively.

“They’re the best defensive team we’ve faced this year, there’s no doubt in my mind.”

Deering’s defense had two goals: deny Cony its interior offense featuring 6-2 junior Katie Rollins and 6-1 freshman Cassie Cooper, and contest all 3-point shots. In both areas, the Western Maine champs were effective while earning their 17th straight win.

Rollins had a game-high 21 points but was one of only four Cony players who scored.

“I don’t think we played our game, but they were the better team today,” Rollins said. “They outplayed us, flat out, and took it away.”

Cooper was held scoreless by a combination of foul trouble and the defensive work of Deering veteran Stephanie Ramonas.

“My role defensively was to shut down Cooper,” said Ramonas, a 5-10 senior. “I couldn’t let her get the ball because I watched film on her and saw that she’s a very good offensive player and could shoot, so I had to get up, up in her face and not let her get the ball.”

Cony (21-1) did manage four 3-point goals, but the defense of Deering point guard Lucretia Joy held Briiana Rende to one basket from long range and eight points overall.

“Lucretia’s defense played a major role,” said Deering coach Mike D’Andrea, “because Rende can shoot it and we couldn’t let them get the outside shot going to open things up on the inside.”

Cooper was not the only player battling foul trouble. Two teammates, Rollins and Natalie Nimon, eventually fouled out, while Deering center Megan Urban sat out 14 minutes, 59 seconds of the game with foul woes. When she did play, Urban starred offensively, making 7 of 10 shots while scoring a team-high 19 points.

“It’s always hard when you’re used to being in the game,” said the 6-3 senior. “But my teammates stepped up so well and were keeping the lead, so it wasn’t that hard.”

Ramonas added 14 points, six steals, five rebounds, and a veteran presence that served Deering particularly well when Urban was sidelined.

“That girl is determined. She has been all year,” said D’Andrea. “I know if I start a team, she’s one of the players I want. She’s a defensive stopper and she’s improved her offensive game tremendously since her sophomore year.”

Deering also got a lift from 6-1 junior Heather Linnell, who replaced Urban for a long stretch of the first half and battled effectively against the talented Rollins.

“Heather’s not Megan Urban, but she can jump, she can play, she does quiet things on the floor,” said D’Andrea. “Rollins had a couple of easy hoops against her, but Heather did a couple things that we needed her to do, she didn’t foul her and she boxed her out.”

Deering (19-3) never trailed after Ramonas hit a baseline jumper good for an 8-6 lead with 1:39 left in the opening quarter.

That lead was 22-16 at halftime, but Cony immediately went to Rollins in the low post to start the third quarter as Urban remained sidelined with three fouls. Rollins scored twice to pull Cony within 22-20, forcing a Deering timeout and prompting Urban to return to the game.

Urban quickly responded with two baskets to stretch the Deering lead back to six, inducing Cooper’s fourth foul in the process.

Cony closed back within 26-24 on an inside basket by Rollins and a drive by Rende, but Ramonas responded with a three-point play and a layup and the WM champs soon followed with a 9-0 run climaxed by Urban’s second 3-pointer of the season to gain a 44-31 cushion with 6:42 left in the game.

“Our heart and effort was there throughout the game, so I don’t know what else we could have done,” said Vachon, whose Cony roster had no seniors. “They played a great game and I think they saved their best for last. They’re deserving. They’re better than we are. They’re the best team.”

DEERING 50, CONY 41

Cony (21-1) Deering (19-3)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Jean 0 0 0 0 0 Mailo 0 1 0 0

Rende 3 6 1 2 8 Ramonas 4 5 11 14

Mason 2 6 0 0 6 DeRoche 0 0 0

Tyler 0 0 0 0 0 Murphy 1 9 4

Albert 0 0 0 0 0 Joy 0 3 0

Doak 0 0 0 0 0 Manduca 0 0 0 0

Nimon 2 7 1 2 6 Urban 7 10 19

Cooper 0 3 0 0 0 Joyce 0 0 0

Cloutier 0 2 0 0 0 Gagnon 3 8 9

Henderson 0 0 0 0 0 Linnell 2 3 4

Pratt 0 0 0 0 0 Young 0 0 0

Rollins 9 20 3 6 21

Totals 16 44 5 10 41 Totals 17 39 14 26 50

Cony 6 16 31 41

Deering 10 22 37 50

3-pt. goals ? Cony (4-12): Mason 2-4, Rende 1-2, Nimon 1-5, Cooper 0-1; Deering (2-5): Urban 1-1, Gagnon 1-4