PORTLAND — It wasn’t a great game, just a great finish.

Sarah Moody scored eight points in the final 1:38 as top-ranked Scarborough rallied from seven points down to beat Deering, the two-time defending Class A state champion, 37-34 in the Western Class A final Saturday night at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

Additional Photos

Heather Carrier, left, and Brittany Ross embrace after Scarborough, on a winning basket by Christy Manning with 11.8 seconds remaining, overcame Deering for a 37-34 victory in Western Class A championship game. Scarborough will meet Skowhegan in the state final. John Ewing

Heather Carrier of Scarborough looks for help while guarded by Maria Salamone, left, and Ella Ramonas of Deering. John Ewing

Scarborough players rush onto the court following their come-from-behind win over Deering. John Ewing

Sarah Moody celebrates after making a free throw late in the game. John Ewing

Carly Rogers of Scarborough defends an inbounds pass by Britni Mikulanecz. John Ewing

Scarborough is headed to the Class A championship game against Skowhegan after winning its first Western Maine title. John Ewing

Scarborough's Christy Manning shoots over Aarika Viola.

Christy Manning scored the winning basket with 11.8 seconds left as Scarborough, playing its second game without its standout senior, Jenn Colpitts after she broke her right wrist in the quarterfinals, won its first regional title.

Scarborough (21-0) will play Skowhegan (21-0) in the state final at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Civic Center.

Deering (18-3) had won 17 consecutive games.

“Talk about resiliency,’’ said Scarborough Coach Jim Seavey. “Not many people gave us a chance (in the semifinals) because of Colpitts’ situation. And nobody gave us a chance tonight. David against Goliath.

“And I told the kids, ‘Remember what the one stone did.’ ”

Turns out Moody was the stone. In a game that featured punishing defense, where not only every shot but every dribble was contested, Moody found her shooting stroke at the right time.

Deering, already playing without its primary ball handler after Ella Ramonas fouled out, lost leading scorer Kayla Burchill (15 points) on a tough fifth foul with 2:35 remaining and the Rams up by six. Burchill, frustrated by the call, slammed the ball to the court and cried, “Nooo,’’ earning a technical.

Ellie Morin of Scarborough hit 2 of 4 foul shots, then scored on a drive to pull the Red Storm within two. Following a Deering turnover, Moody’s 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1:38 left gave Scarborough its first lead, 29-28. The shot hit the front rim, then bounced up and through.

Claire Ramonas of Deering followed with a three-point play, but Moody hit another 3-pointer from the right corner with 1:11 left.

“I never got the ball that much in the first half. I didn’t play very well,’’ said Moody. “But I knew the team needed me to step up. I’m a shooter and Coach tells me to keep shooting.’’

Deering made it 33-33 on a twisting layup by Britni Mikulanecz with 38.2 seconds left. After the teams traded turnovers, Scarborough broke out on a fast break, with Heather Carrier dribbling up the left side.

“They went to double-team the ball and left me wide open,’’ said Manning, who was running down the middle of the court. “I just got it and put it up.’’

The ball went in for Manning’s only basket. Moody added two foul shots with a half-second left.

“We never give up,’’ said Moody, who led Scarborough with 10 points. “This is an amazing feeling. I never thought I’d feel like this. But we’re still not done.’’

Staff Writer Mike Lowe can be contacted at 791-6422 or at:

mlowe@pressherald.com