PORTLAND—It was one of the greatest victories in the history of the Scarborough boys’ basketball program.

An upset win over a two-time reigning state champion which shocked the local hoops world.

But it didn’t surprise the eighth-seeded Red Storm.

They believed all along that they could shock top-ranked Windham in a Class A South quarterfinal Saturday evening at the Portland Exposition Building.

And while it took four additional minutes, Scarborough went out and made an unforgettable, powerful statement.

The Red Storm, who nearly knocked off the Eagles in the regular season before letting a big halftime lead slip away, let the champions know they were in for a battle thanks to a 10-0 run which produced a 16-9 lead after one quarter, as unheralded senior captain E.J. Herrick went off for seven points.

Windham tried to answer in the second period and got as close as one before Scarborough heated up again and held a 30-24 advantage at halftime.

The Red Storm pushed the lead to nine in the third quarter, but a 12-2 run, capped by two free throws from junior standout Colin Janvrin, gave the Eagles their first lead since early in the contest, 46-45.

Scarborough didn’t buckle, however, scoring the final seven points of the frame, capped by a 3-pointer from junior sharpshooter Carter Ryan, to lead by six entering what everyone expected to be the final stanza.

There, the Red Storm led by nine again, on a 3 from senior star Adam Fitzgerald, but the Eagles once more demonstrated their championship heart, embarking on an 13-2 run to go back in front, as after senior heart-and-soul A.J. Moody sank an NBA-range 3-pointer to tie it, senior star Tyrie James made two foul shots for a 59-57 lead with 1:25 to go.

Herrick then countered with a layup with 46 seconds left and after a last-second defensive stand, Scarborough went to overtime feeling good about its chances.

And just 22 seconds into OT, senior captain Layton Garriepy made a layup for a lead that this time, the Red Storm wouldn’t relinsquish.

Two foul shots apiece from senior captain Carter Blanche and Ryan provided breathing room and one last free throw from Garriepy made it official as the Red Storm pulled off a 66-62 stunner.

Garriepy, Fitzgerald and Herrick all wound up in double figures, as Scarborough improved to 13-7, ended Windham’s two-year title reign and its season at 16-3 and advanced to take on No. 5 Cheverus (11-8) in the Class A South semifinals next Thursday at 7:45 p.m., at the Expo.

“We all believed coming into this game,” said Blanche. “No one out here thought we’d win, but the only thing that mattered was the people in our locker room. We all believed in each other.”

Surprise, surprise, surprise

Windham has simply been the best team in the clutch three years running, surviving Gorham in overtime to win its first Gold Ball in 2024, edging South Portland in another thriller in last year’s state game repeat and capturing 16 of 18 games this winter, many of them requiring the Eagles to dig out of a deficit.

Scarborough, meanwhile, started fast, 7-3, including wins at Cheverus and at home over Portland, then played just .500 ball from there, necessitating a home preliminary round playoff contest against No. 9 Kennebunk Tuesday, which saw the Red Storm survive and advance, 50-44.

The Eagles rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to knock off the host Red Storm, 54-51, Jan. 6.

The teams hadn’t met in the tournament since the 1967 Class L West quarterfinals (a 76-64 Scarborough win).

Saturday, in front of a large and vocal gathering at an ideal venue for memorable postseason basketball, the Red Storm got pushed, but pushed back and ultimately out-Windham’d Windham to move on.

The Eagles came out strong and 32 seconds in, scored the game’s first points, as sophomore Sean LeBel got a pass from James and made a 3-pointer.

Scarborough then got on the board with 5:38 to go in the first quarter, as Blanche set up Herrick for a reverse layup.

After James answered with a leaner for his first points, Blanche spun and made a layup.

James then set up LeBel for a reverse layup, but Herrick drove for a layup and midway through the opening stanza, a Garriepy reverse layup gave the Red Storm their first lead.

They’d add to it, as Garriepy set up Herrick on the fastbreak for a layup and Herrick, who was fouled on the play, added the and-one free throw to complete the old-fashioned three-point play.

Blanche then fed senior captain Will MacDonald for a 3-ball to cap a 10-0 surge.

After James ended the run with a coast-to-coast layup, Fitzgerald made two free throws for his first points and Scarborough held a 16-9 advantage after eight minutes.

Moody then sank a 3-pointer to begin the second quarter.

After Garriepy put home a miss, Janvrin drove for a layup.

James followed up with a 3-pointer from the corner to pull Windham within a single point, but the Red Storm stretched the lead out again, as Fitzgerald buried a 3, Herrick drove for a layup, then Fitzgerald went coast-to-coast for a layup and a 25-17 advantage with 2:31 left before halftime.

Janvrin countered with a three-point play.

After junior Oscar Goss drew Moody’s third foul and made two free throws, James drove for a reverse layup.

Late in the half, Ryan hit a 3 for his first points, then Janvrin put home a missed shot to pull the Eagles within six, 30-24, at the break.

Herrick led Scarborough with nine first half points and James kept Windham close with nine of his own. The Eagles were hindered by an uncharacteristic 13 turnovers.

After erasing a 17-point halftime deficit the first time it faced the Red Storm, being down six didn’t rattle Windham and it came out fought its way back in the third quarter.

The second half began with Moody setting up Janvrin for a layup.

After Garriepy countered with a driving layup, Janvrin fed junior Landon Wyman for a corner 3 to cut the deficit to 32-29.

At the other end, Garriepy set up Fitzgerald for a 3, but Janvrin drove and finished with a leaner.

After Garriepy drove and banked home a shot, Garriepy made a 3 for a 40-31 lead.

Janvrin countered with a 3, but with 4:32 to go, Garriepy converted a three-point play to restore the nine-point advantage.

The Eagles then came to life with a patented run.

The rally began with James setting up LeBel for a 3-pointer.

Moody then drove for a layup and after Blanche set up Garriepy for a reverse layup, Wyman found Janvrin for a layup, LeBel converted a three-point play and with 1:59 to go, two Janvrin foul shots gave Windham a 46-45 lead, its first since the score was 7-6.

It only lasted 18 seconds, however, as Fitzgerald drove, made a layup while being fouled and added the and-one free throw to put the Red Storm back on top.

After Goss added a foul shot, Ryan got a pass from Herrick and buried a 3 to give Scarborough a 52-46 advantage heading to the fourth.

The Red Storm kept the pressure on at the start of the new quarter, as Blanche set up Fitzgerald for a 3 from the corner.

Moody answered with two foul shots, sparking a comeback.

After Moody took an inbounds pass from Janvrin and sank a 3, James fed sophomore Boston Krainis for a 3 from the corner with 4:06 left, cutting the deficit to 55-54.

After Moody and James each missed shots for the lead, Blanche scored on a putback with 2:21 to go, giving Scarborough a three-point advantage.

A mere 24 seconds later, Krainis got the ball up top to Moody, who, from well behind the 3-point line, launched a shot which found the mark, tying the score, 57-57.

James then stole the ball and was fouled and with 1:25 on the clock, James made both free throws and suddenly, it appeared Windham was going to do it again.

But not this time, as with 46 seconds to go, Herrick got into the lane, faked a defender, then laid the ball in to tie the score.

The Eagles had a chance to run the clock down and win it and James tried to get into the lane to make that happen, but the ball was knocked away by Blanche.

Herrick then had a chance to play the hero, as he launched a prayer from halfcourt that looked promising, but it ultimately fell short and the contest went to overtime, tied, 59-59.

“I think we had momentum,” Herrick said. “We had a big stop at the end there with the steal. We knew what we had to do.”

Scarborough then won the opening tip for overtime and 22 seconds in, Blanche got the ball down low to Garriepy, who faked a defender, then made a layup and the Red Storm finally had the lead for good.

“Getting that first bucket was big for us, taking momentum,” Garriepy said.

“That first hoop settled us a little bit,” said Scarborough coach Phil Conley.

At the other end, Wyman was fouled, but he made just one of two attempts.

After Janvrin fouled out, Blanche was fouled with 2:09 to go in the four-minute OT and he made both free throws attempts for a three-point advantage.

“We practice free throws all the time and I had confidence in him,” said Herrick.

Wyman missed a look at a 3 to tie it and Herrick got the reboound.

Moody then stole the ball, but missed a shot and at the other end, MacDonald missed a layup.

Windham had another chance to draw even, but it turned the ball over.

With 20 seconds to go, Ryan was fouled and he made both shots as Scarborough’s cheering section began to sense the upset was imminent.

After James missed a 3, Moody got the rebound and was fouled, but he missed his free throws.

After Herrick got the ensuing rebound, he was fouled, but missed both of his attempts.

Moody then raced up the court and with 3 seconds to go, slammed the ball home, giving the Eagles a faint pulse.

The Red Storm managed to inbound the ball to Garriepy and he was fouled with under a second to go.

Garriepy then slammed the door with a made free throw.

“We couldn’t take any chances,” Garriepy said. “I thought I had to make one to seal it.”

Garriepy missed the second shot, but Windham couldn’t respond and at 8:30 p.m., the horn sounded and the celebration began as Scarborough sprung the 66-62 upset.

“It was pure excitement at the end,” said Garriepy. “It means a lot. No one thought we could come in and win this game, but we stayed together and got it done. We kept getting better and we realized we hit our peak at the right time. We were confident in our play. We’ve been in a lot of close games all year. It was just team defense. Everyone helping each other out and talking to each other.”

“It’s amazing,” said Herrick, who scored a regional final-winning goal in soccer as a junior and captured a Gold Ball in that sport as a senior. “There’s not a better feeling. This means a lot. I’ve had a lot of success in soccer, but not in basketball. I just wanted it bad. I didn’t want it to be my last game and I had that mentality the whole time.”

“We put a full four quarters together and pulled it out,” said Fitzgerald. “We were just jumping up-and-down, celebrating with everyone. It felt amazing. The feeling is on top of the world. We know we can beat anyone on any given night when we put it all together for four quarters. It feels great to put an end to (Windham’s) three-peat (bid). It’s my first time beating them in my time in Scarborough.”

“Windham’s a great team,” said Blanche. “They were the best team in the South. Time and time again, they’ve come out with these wins, but it was special we could maintain our composure. We knew they’d go on runs. We just sustained those runs. We try to model ourselves after Windham, playing together. We took timeouts and told each other to calm down, that we were good. All of my teammates were amazing and our bench was amazing. We have a lot of seniors. This game meant more to us than anything. A lot of us won’t play basketball in college. We all fought, knowing this could be our last game.”

“This one definitely ranks right at the top for me,” added Conley, who has coached two teams to regional titles. “To come in and beat the two-time defending state champs, the one seed, it’s an unbelievable feeling. I credit my kids. They’ve battled all year. People counted us out, but I didn’t count my team out and they didn’t count themselves out. I watched the guys warm up tonight. Sometimes it’s hard to shoot here, but we hit our shots and I thought we’d be OK. A lot of these guys have played in big games, whether it’s soccer or basketball. We have a lot of seniors on this team and they play hard every day, whether it’s practice or a game. They didn’t want their season to end and they had a little extra tonight. We’ve lost six games by 32 points, but tonight, we finished the job.

“I think it was the best defensive effort we’ve had all year. I thought we matched up well against Windham. We talked about help defense and not letting Tyrie go off. We know Moody is a great player too. We had to keep those guys in check. It was all five guys who did that.”

Garriepy had one of his finest games, scoring 19 points, to go with four rebounds and two assists, while playing terrific defense throughout.

“What Layton did tonight as our five-man, at 6-foot-2, guarding a really good player, and finishing at the rim, was huge,” Conley said.

Fitzgerald added 16 points and four rebounds.

“I look for my shot, but if it’s not there, I’m swinging (the ball),” said Fitzgerald. “Any one of us can make a 3.”

Herrick was tremendous, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals.

“E.J., I’d say the last two weeks of the regular season, has really come on,” Conley said. “He had a great night.”

Ryan had eight points off the bench, while Blanche had a quiet six points, but still managed to set up his teammates seven times while grabbing six rebounds.

Goss had three points off the bench and MacDonald also scored three points.

The Red Storm had a 25-19 rebounding advantage, turned the ball over 16 times and made 13-of-22 foul shots.

Speechless

Windham was paced by Janvrin, who scored 18 points and had four rebounds and two assists before fouling out.

Moody’s final appearance in an Eagles uniform saw him produce 15 points and four rebounds.

James bowed out with 11 points, four assists, four steals and four rebounds.

That Moody-James tandem will be hailed for decades in Windham.

“There is no one as impactful to basketball in Windham as A.J. and Tyrie have been,” said Eagles coach Chad Pulkkinen. “It’s special to come in and leave a place better than you found it. Those two kids deserve all their flowers. AJ and Tyrie have had such an impact at Windham. They’ll go on and play at the next level and I’m excited for them.”

LeBel also scored 11 points before fouling out, while Wyman had four points and Krainis three.

The Eagles made nine 3-pointers to the Red Storm’s seven, hit 9-of-12 free throws and turned the ball over 17 times.

“It’s definitely painful,” said Pulkkinen. “The guys fought to the last horn. They gave me everything they had every day. We had high expectations and they never faltered. We came back and had opportunities to win the game. I’m just proud of my guys’ character and how they fought through adversity. They played well. I still feel we’re the best team in the state, but we came up short tonight. Still, there’s a lot to be proud of.

“Everyone is excited to beat Windham and a lot of people out there wanted us to lose. I tell the guys that’s an honor. When people want to see you fail, it’s an honor because we’ve been so successful. You can’t win ’em all.

“We have a great fan base that believed in our kids. I’m around the community quite a bit and I’ve seen the joy of these kids. The younger kids are inspired by guys like Tyrie, A.J., Colin. They’re role models in our community. It’s an incredible feeling to be a part of something bigger than yourself.”

Next year, the Eagles will rely on Janvrin, LeBel and Wyman to lead the way, with help from Krainis and junior Luke Drottar, who will both play bigger roles.

Other players are ready to step in and make their mark as well.

Rest assured that Windham isn’t going anywhere.

“We have two sophomores with a ton of experience and we have Colin Janvrin, who I think is the best junior in the state,” said Pulkkinen. “Landon Wyman is so consistent. We have a lot of younger guys who are ready to step up.”

Golden opportunity

The Class A South field now features the No. 2 seed (Sanford), No. 6 seed Portland (which upset No. 3 South Portland), No. 5 Cheverus and the eighth-ranked Red Storm.

Scarborough has a golden opportunity to keep its good times rolling, but the Stags will pose problems with their athleticism.

The teams split this year, with the Red Storm winning in Portland, 57-43, Dec. 9 and the Stags prevailing in Scarborough, 58-51, Jan. 19.

Cheverus has beaten the Red Storm in both prior postseason meetings, 49-34 in the 2010 quarterfinals and 55-50 in the 2014 preliminary round.

Scarborough is eager for another opportunity to prove people wrong and keep its season alive.

“We just have to play exactly like we did tonight,” said Fitzgerald. ” We have to stay composed and go in with a positive mindset. We’ll get our heads straight and prep for that game. Defensively, we need to play the same way we did tonight, be aggressive.”

“We’re moving on,” Herrick said. “We just have to keep our heads down, keep working hard and focus on the next one.”

“I’m happy the season’s not over and we get to play another one,” said Garriepy. “We just have to take it one possession at a time. Each possession matters. If we do that, we keep the momentum and we’ll get it done.”

“We know we can compete with every team in the league,” Blanche said. “You build up to the playoffs. We wish we won more in the regular season, but we’re just worried about what’s ahead of us. If we play a full four quarters, we’re one of the best teams in the South. We have to play as a team and play our best basketball. We just have to come out willing work and give it our all.”

“Anything can happen in this tournament,” added Conley. “Now, we have to prepare for Cheverus. It’s not an easy task, but we’ll be up for the challenge. It’s a golden opportunity, but we have to continue to prepare like we did for Windham. If we do that, we’ll let the chips fall where they may.”

BOX SCORE

Scarborough 66 Windham 62 (OT)

S- 16 14 22 7 7- 66
W- 9 15 22 13 3- 62

S- Garriepy 8-2-19, Fitzgerald 5-3-16, Herrick 5-1-11, Ryan 2-2-8, Blanche 2-2-6, Goss 0-3-3, MacDonald 1-0-3

W- Janvrin 7-3-18, Moody 5-2-15, James 4-2-11, LeBel 4-1-11, Wyman 1-1-4, Krainis 1-0-3

3-pointers:
S (7) Fitzgerald 3, Ryan 2, Garriepy, MacDonald
W (9) Moody 3, LeBel 2, James, Janvrin, Krainis, Wyman

Turnovers:
S- 16
W- 17

Free throws
S: 13-22
W: 9-12

Michael Hoffer can be reached at mhoffersports@yahoo.com