Portland Girls Win Fifth in a Row

Kelly Coleman scored 12 of Portland's first 14 points as the Highlanders raced to an early 19-3 lead then coasted for an easy 70-37 victory Monday afternoon in Westbrook, the Highlanders' fifth win in a row.

"We came out with one of our better first quarters and Kelly I don't think missed a shot," Portland coach Nick Chaconis said.

Coleman started the scoring with a spinning layup off an assist from Lindsey Dionne. Dionne made it 4-0 on a fastbreak layup of her own on another nice pass, this one from Alyssa Unikewicz. Then Coleman took over.

Coleman made a steal near midcourt and took it in for a layup. Following a timeout by Westbrook, she did it again for an 8-0 lead. Coleman's 10-footer followed by a 15-footer, made it 12-0. Kara Riggio got the White Knights on the board with a three-pointer before Coleman countered with another long two for a 14-3 lead.

It seemed nobody could stop Coleman, except for her coach.

With an 18-3 lead following two free throws by Sarah Bierly, Coleman was summoned to the bench, and before the first quarter was over, the other starters had joined her. Katie Coleman's long jumper as the quarter ended gave Portland a 27-8 lead.

With Portland's reserves playing well and the eventual return of its starters, the second quarter was much of the same. Dionne continued her strong play with a long outlet pass to Laura Wall underneath for a 31-11 lead. Dionne then made a nice move around a defender to free herself for a short jumper to make it 33-11.

Portland (11-3) took a 41-17 halftime lead into the third quarter before finally sputtering on offense. Westbrook (2-9) scored the first five points of the second half while the Highlanders went cold. Dionne finally broke the ice at the 4:07 mark with a three to start a 10-0 run. Kelly Coleman's baseline drive made it 46-22 and Bierly's steal and three-quarters-court drive for a layup put Portland up 26. Meaghan Rodgers then hit the first of her two threes in the game to make the score 51-22.

An overmatched Westbrook team provided the Highlanders with the perfect tune up for an important game that is next on the schedule.

"They're rebuilding and we'll get the opposite on Thursday," Chaconis said. "We'll have a hungry Coginchaug … that's going to be another battle."

Hungry, and probably a little mad. Coginchaug (9-2) was surprised by Morgan 56-54 at home on Monday.

Such is life in the Shoreline Conference, which has had a team play for a state title the past three seasons. Portland, East Hampton, Coginchaug, Cromwell and Morgan lead the pack this season and are jockeying for the top seed in the conference tournament. The tournament begins Feb. 17 with the playdown round, which will help determine quarterfinal pairings.

For Portland, which has one loss in the conference, the game against Coginchaug, also with one conference loss, has added significance. With no other team on its schedule with a winning record as of Jan. 17, a victory will open a clear path to the top seed.

"They play together," Chaconis said of his team," and if you play together, good things will happen."

Kelly Coleman led Portland with 18 points. Dionne added 13, Rodgers and Wall had 10 and Bierly 9.

Meaghan Bernard scored 14 for Westbrook, including four three-pointers. Riggio chipped in with 11.

"The kids played well," Chaconis said. "Again, all you can say is 'Distribute the ball, keep making the same pass and cuts and work on the fundamental things,' and everything else will take care of itself."

After losing two in a row during the holiday break, and recently surviving close calls to Morgan and Haddam-Killingworth, Portland seems to be hitting its stride.

"I'm pleasantly pleased. Just happy that so far we're healthy," Chaconis said. "We’re just trying to stay strong. Just trying to work on some little things."

Girls' Night Out

Calling all boys and girls. The Fifth Annual Girls' Night Out will be held Thursday, Jan. 20, at the Portland High School gym. Join Portland High as it celebrates Girls' Basketball Night. Come cheer on the Highlanders girls' basketball team as they take on the Coginchaug Blue Devils.

There will be free door give-aways while they last and a chance to win great prizes! Children age 13 and younger get in free if they wear any Portland T-shirt or any Portland uniform top. There also will be basketball scrimmages from the Portland Parks and Recreation basketball teams at halftime.

Junior varsity starts at 3:30 p.m. and the varsity at 5 p.m. Bring your family, friends and neighbors.