Fourteen games into his first season coaching girls’ basketball, Tom Maines has another team playing at a high level.

He’s back doing what he enjoys most, coaching and teaching the game of basketball. Maines is at Scarborough High, in the only job that interested him. He is energized.

It’s a far different feeling than recent winters.

“I was bored,” said Maines of not coaching. “And I was tired of being bored.”

Maines last coached the Madison boys during the 2003-04 season. After leaving, he stayed in touch by going to games and working with coaches who wanted his expertise.

The latter led him to Scarborough.

“Jim Seavey brought me in to do a two-hour clinic last season,” said Maines. “I loved the players’ practice habits and their enthusiasm. I wondered what it would be like experiencing that every day.”

When Seavey stepped down after last season, Maines applied for the job.

“The only job I wanted,” said Maines. “I have not been disappointed. The players are driven athletically and academically. They’re very easy to coach.”

In typical Maines fashion, the Red Storm are playing up-tempo offense and pressure defense. That style was successful with his boys’ teams, and now with the girls. The Red Storm are 13-1 entering tonight’s game at Massabesic.

Maines coached Morse High of Bath to three straight state Class A titles from 1987 to 1989. He said switching to coaching girls was no big deal.

“I’m basically using the same stuff I did with my boys’ teams,” he said.

His teams are known for their fast pace.

“They work hard,” said Deering Coach Mike Murphy, whose team lost to Scarborough 53-47 on Jan. 16. “They want to make you uncomfortable with the ball. Their turnover-to-point ratio is off the charts.”

Maines’ assistant coaches are his wife, Rita, and Mike Jeffords.

After beating Deering, Scarborough lost to McAuley, 49-37. Maines liked the way his team battled to earn a two-point win at Sanford on Friday.

“The kids dug deep and found a way to pull it out,” he said.

Scarborough has played one more game than McAuley. They’re ranked 1-2 in the Heal point standings. The Red Storm could finish 17-1, but the Lions will most likely get the top seed.

“McAuley is the favorite because of their size and skill level. But there are no guarantees in the tournament. There are a number of talented teams. You play the regular season to get ready for the tournament,” he said.

HEADING INTO the final two weeks of the season, the leaders in Western Class B are closely bunched. The top four ranked teams – Lake Region, York, Spruce Mountain and Leavitt – are separated by only a few points in the Heal standings.

“It makes it a lot of fun,” said York Coach Rick Clark of the tight race. “It’s much more interesting from a coaching standpoint. There have been a lot more close games this season than last. It should be a great tourney.”

Third-ranked Spruce Mountain (13-1) is new to Class B. Livermore Falls and Jay merged to form Spruce Mountain.

“I’ve seen them play. They’re a legitimate team,” said Clark.

“They’re very athletic and play up-tempo. They could be the favorite.”

In the middle of the pack are Greely, Wells and Falmouth, who Clark said are all capable of beating one of the top four teams.

After playing five of its first seven games on the road, York (11-3) closes with four of five at home. That stretch started Thursday night with a 44-37 win over previously unbeaten Lake Region.

The three remaining home games, starting tonight with Traip Academy, bode well for the Wildcats. The program hasn’t lost at home since February 2008.

TONIGHT’S GIRLS’-BOYS’ doubleheader with Traip is “Hoops For A Cure”, the third annual Cancer Awareness Night at York. The girls play at 5:05 and the boys will start at 6:30.

On Saturday, the players raised $4,000 in foul-shooting pledges. The goal is to raise $20,000 for York Hospital.

As for his team, Clark said the Wildcats have come together at both ends of the court. The team has been bolstered by the return of 5-foot-11 junior Marquis MacGlashing, who was resting a knee.

Emily Campbell, a 6-1 junior, has been the team’s steadiest player. She leads in scoring and is the second leading rebounder. Point guard Andrea Mountford is first in steals, second in assists and third in scoring.

“We’ve played well as a group defensively all season long,” said Clark. “Offensively, any one of our starting five can be the leading scorer in any game.”

DEERING (11-4) falls back on defense knowing it has 6-4 center Marissa MacMillan guarding the basket. Coach Mike Murphy said McMillan has improved her game from a year ago, so much so that the junior is getting looks from a number of Division I schools, including Syracuse and Virginia Tech. With a season-plus remaining in her high school career, MacMillan will likely receive a lot more interest from recruiters. She is averaging 11 points and over nine rebounds a game.

Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at: tchard@pressherald.com

Twitter: TomChardPPH