PORTLAND — The officials at the scorer’s table didn’t notice. The referee’s on the court didn’t notice.

When Teira Durgin scored to get Oxford Hills within eight late in the third quarter Monday night, not many at courtside were even aware that the two points had been given in Deering’s favor, making it a 12-point lead instead of eight.

Fortunately for the Vikings, thousands of its biggest fans noticed the error on the scoreboard and the boisterous Oxford Hills crowd made themselves heard.

"Score!" thousands shouted in unison.

While the Class A state championship game was in Deering’s backyard, Oxford Hills more than made up for the Rams’ edge in proximity. The Vikings had a rowdy and raucous crowd that cheered them from the moment they emerged from the tunnel at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

"The whole community came together," said Oxford Hills coach Nate Pelletier. "You could see by the numbers here tonight at the game. They came together for these girls, and it was well deserved for these girls. They worked hard."

The Oxford Hills fans were bolstered by the band and supplemented by a charged-up student body. Much of the Spring Street side of the Civic Center was filled by green-and-yellow faithful as the Vikings played their first state championship basketball game. The "home town" Deering crowd paled in comparison.

"It’s been amazing," said senior guard Kari Pelletier. "The community has supported us so much. The school has been amazing. We had a pep rally before we came, and everybody was really into it and supporting us.

The Hills have been alive with the sound of state championship basketball fever. It may have culminated with the Vikings’ efforts against Deering Monday, but the excitement over Oxford Hills’ playoff surge has been brewing for weeks.

You couldn’t drive around Oxford County over the last week without spotting some business wishing the Vikings luck.

"It’s been a buzz all around town," said Ted Moccia, the principal at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. "All the placards and the fans and the community have rallied really well behind them. It’s been great."

Oxford Hills presold over 900 tickets in the last week. When the girls arrived in Portland last Monday to practice at the Civic Center, Pelletier had to bring back more tickets because demand was so great. That was only after the first day of sale.

"You sell almost 1,000 tickes in presales, it’s pretty awesome," said Moccia. "The first 250 went like water through your hands. It’s been tremendous. We look at it from the perspective, you don’t get here very often, so you want to make the most of it. I think for the people in the Oxford Hills area, you want something to rally around and pull us together."

The Oxford Hills state championship history is spread out over seven different sports. Wrestling won state titles in 1987 and 1989 and were runners-up in 1988 and 1990. Cheerleading squads claimed championshps in 1999 and 2000 while the boys’ ski team won in 1993. Softball had back-to-back crowns in 1998 and 1999. Baseball claimed the last championship in 2005, beating Westbrook.

"Baseball happened so fast because we had all the rain outs," said Jeff Benson, the athletic director at Oxford Hills. "This has had time to build over a two-week span. It’s been great for the community and great for the school."

Moccia was the football coach when the Vikings reached the state final and lost to South Portland in 1999. That was a great experience, but he’s enjoying this one in a different way.

"It’s a lot easier being the principal than being the head coach," said Moccia.

Moccia made sure the student body was represented by arranging for a fan bus to bring kids down. He made them a deal that if they bought a ticket to the game, he’d take care of the transportation. Between the student section and the band, the basketball team was well-represented by their peers.

Though the Vikings lose four seniors, Kari Pelletier, EmmyLou Blake, Durgin and Kyla Martin, Oxford Hills has the rest returning with this year’s excitement already fueling next year’s aspirations.

"Hopefully, we can get the crowds next year," said Nate Pelletier. "I’m hoping this will bring a lot of excitement to the community for basketball."