SACO — With its spot in the playoffs set, the Thornton Academy boys basketball team used its game against Kennebunk on Monday almost like a practice session.

Everybody played, and everybody performed, as the Golden Trojans defeated the Rams in a 63-38 rout at the Linnell Gym.

TA improves to 12-4. Thornton is currently in fifth place in the Maine Principal Association Heal Point standings.

Forward Andrew Shaw, who scored 20 points, including a two-handed dunk off a breakaway steal late in the second quarter, led the Trojans.

Shaw also had help from guard James Ek, who scored 15 points continuing his recent shooting surge. He nailed four 3 pointers. Forward Tom Littlefield, performing his usual duties under the boards, scored 10 points.

Littlefield and Shaw combined for eight defensive rebounds, as well.

Shaw said it was important for the Trojans to come out and play defense.

“We wanted to come in and play defense and rebound,” Shaw said. “That’s what we do best. Our offense was decent, but our defense and our rebounding was better than it had been all season tonight.”

Corbett Smith, a reserve guard, also had a strong game, taking over for injured guard Justin Pollard in the first quarter. Smith finished with four points while making a game-high five steals.

Kennebunk (1-15) stayed with the Trojans in the first quarter, as guard Matt Dube scored five quick points to keep the Rams within four points of Thornton at the end of the first quarter.

However, Ek heated up in the second, hitting all four of his 3 pointers in the quarter. The Trojans enjoyed a comfortable 32-20 lead at halftime.

Shaw stepped up in the third quarter, scoring 11 points, while Littlefield provided consistent support in the low post. The Trojans led 51-27 at the end of three quarters.

Thornton unloaded the bench in the fourth, playing all of its reserves. The Trojans bench celebrated in unison in one particular moment when senior reserve guard Taylor Tanguay knocked down a 3 pointer.

“Whenever we build up a good enough lead, some of our reserves come in,” Shaw said. “It’s really good for them because they work hard in practice just like everybody else. They deserve to be out there just like everybody else. It was great to see them go out there and get varsity minutes. [Thornton guard ] Trey Binette got his first two varsity points tonight, and everybody got a chance to play, so it was a good experience for the whole team.”

Kennebunk continued to fight hard for the rest of the contest, despite the score. Van Brazz led the Rams in scoring with 15 points, while also making four steals. Dube finished with 11 points.

The Trojans host Scarborough tonight. It’s the first time this season Thornton plays a day after its last game, instead of the every-other-day schedule.

Shaw said the scheduling of the game shouldn’t be a factor.

“I mean, we get a little sore and you get some bumps and bruises from the game,” Shaw said. “You’ve got to shake it off and sleep it off and  come back and play hard again.”

The Red Storm (9-7) are ninth in the Heal Point standings, and a win over Thornton could help propel Scarborough into the eighth and final spot in the Western Maine Class A playoffs.

“Scarborough is always a good battle for us,” Shaw said. “They’ve got a good team, and we feel we’re a little bit bigger, but they’ve got a quick team and they like to score a lot of points. Again, it will be the defensive aspect, and we’ll just have to come out ready to play.”

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m at Linnell Gym.

Kennebunk hosts Biddeford, another team contending for a final playoff spot, tonight at 7 o’clock.

— Contact Staff Writer Dave Dyer at 282-1535, Ext. 318.