It wasn't easy, but Cheshire had built just a big enough lead Friday night to hold off Sheehan and clinch the SCC Housatonic Division for the first time since 2000.

So the Rams become the first team to clinch a division title in the Southern Connecticut Conference. They led most of the way and held Sheehan to just a 3-point basket in the third quarter while building a 13-point lead (38-25).

But Cheshire was held without a field goal for the final 11:22 of the game and Sheehan got as close as three in the final seconds, but turned the ball with the opportunity to send the game into overtime.

Cheshire could be a dangerous team in the SCC tournament. Center Nate Howard did not dominate on the offensive end against Sheehan but teams won't be able to attack the basket at will with the 6-11 center roaming the lane. The team has a solid trio of guards in Tyler Barnes, Kevin Adams and Collin Jordan.

And although the Rams struggled to put Sheehan away, they can hit free throws (12 of 13 Friday). The one they missed left the door open for Sheehan to have a shot to tie the game. Still, you won't lose too many games shooting 92.3 percent from the charity stripe.

Coach Dan Lee emphasized after the game how this is just the first step, how important it is for the team to remain focused. He's right: there are too many games left to enjoy winning the division title for too long. A suddenly-improved Lyman Hall team awaits on Monday.