Hampden set to face Deering Controlling tempo key as Broncos go up against Rams today

They’ve met only once before, but the Hampden Academy and Deering of Portland boys basketball teams are familiar foes.

That’s because when a championship is at stake the scouting reports become even more detailed, and Hampden and Deering will be squaring off for the Class A state title Saturday for the second time in as many years.

Game time is 3 p.m. at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland.

Hampden won its first state title last year, downing Deering 59-49 at the Bangor Auditorium. It was a victory derived from offensive patience, tenacious defense and the presence of 6-foot-10 center Jordan Cook, who had 23 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots.

The Broncos hope a similar formula will prove successful in the rematch.

“We just want to control the tempo of the game,” said Cook. “We want to take some time off the clock, get good looks and then play good defense and rebound.”

Deering (20-1) returns four starters from a year ago, led by 6-2 senior Carlos Strong. The Boston University-bound guard averaged 19.5 points per game during the regular season, then scored 20.0 ppg en route to being named MVP of the Western A tournament. That effort was highlighted by his 29 points in Deering’s 70-64 win over Portland in the regional final.

Martin Cleveland, a 6-6 senior center, is Deering’s primary inside scoring weapon and leading rebounder, while guard Joseph Nguany is another key threat after transferring to Deering this year from Cheverus of Portland.

“Nguany is a good player,” said Hampden coach Russ Bartlett. “He’s kind of an X-factor for them because he’s very athletic and quick.”

Hampden (18-3) is led offensively by Cook, senior guard J Uhrin and junior point guard Daniel McCue, a trio that combined to average 48 points per game during the season and 51.7 ppg in the Broncos’ Eastern Maine tournament victories over Bangor, Gardiner and Brunswick.

The University of Maine-bound Cook led the way, averaging 24 points and 10 rebounds during the season and 25.7 points, 14 rebounds and four blocked shots while earning Eastern A tourney MVP honors for the second straight year.

“Jordan’s a much better player right now than he was last year, he’s got to be a big concern for them,” said Bartlett.

Uhrin averaged 14.3 points and McCue 11.7 ppg during the tournament, nearly identical to their regular-season numbers, while seniors Max Silver and Sam Hodgdon and junior Evan Farley add scoring, defense and rebounding to the Broncos’ attack.

“Offensively we’re a much better team this year,” said Bartlett. “Last year we won with defense and one really good offensive player, but this year we’ve had three consistent scorers night in and night out. Last year we had to search more for those second and third scorers.”

Deering is attempting to do something Hampden accomplished last year – win its first state title in boys basketball.

The Rams have come close recently, as this will be their fourth appearance in the state final in the last six years.

Coach Dan LeGage’s club will seek to accelerate play at every opportunity, so Saturday’s outcome likely will hinge on which team can control the pace of the game.

“You can look at it as flash versus fundamentals,” said Bartlett. “They’re the most athletic team we face, so we have to be fundamentally sound.”