SACO — So that’s what all the fuss is about.
Those who entered Thornton Academy’s Linnell Gym, Friday, unaware of the buzz surrounding Bonny Eagle boys basketball, didn’t remain in the dark for long.
The Scots, regarded by some observers as a strong championship contender, made a strong case for themselves by dismantling the Golden Trojans,
56-38, in an SMAA clash.
“That’s the truth,” said Thornton coach Bob Davies. “They’re a very good team. They have fun playing the game.”
This one got out of hand in a hurry.
The Scots blanked Thornton in the first quarter, 15-0, later led 23-1, before pulling into intermission with a 34-7 advantage.
Bonny Eagle senior Cole Libby scored nine of his game high 22 points in a span of less than three minutes, as every turnover the Trojans made was fully exploited by Bonny Eagle.
“We knew we had to play defense and box out,” said Phil Bourassa, the former Biddeford standout who is in his second year at the Scots’ helm. “They (the Trojans) are a very good team and a very well coached team. So we knew we had to bring our ”˜A’ game tonight.”
Dustin Cole (18 points) hit the first basket of the second quarter to make it 17-0 before Thornton (1-2) finally hit the scoreboard on Justin Pollard’s free throw with 6:25 to go in the half.
“Our defense fed our offense,” said Bourassa, who in short order has restored what has historically been a strong basketball culture at Bonny Eagle.
He inherited a 6-12 team and in his first season, took the Scots to within one win of the state championship game.
“We’ve been intense since I’ve been around, for sure,” said Bourassa, who as a gridder captured the Fitzpatrick Award as a Tiger back in 2003. “We have kids that have bought in. Kids that practice hard and play hard. The expectations should be high and that’s where we want them.”
The Trojans’ first field goal didn’t come until three minutes later, when Adam Ek (team high 10 points) drained a three pointer which set the score at 23-4.
“We played defense the whole game,” said senior power forward Dakota Tarbox. “But we’ve got to come out with a lot more fire.”
Davies used the full intermission to settle his troops down, and without benefit of a warm up, the Trojans showed signs of life throughout the second half.
Tarbox (nine points) hit for three quick baskets early in the third quarter, while center Malcolm Dopwell came off the bench to chip in two more baskets.
“If it wasn’t for the first quarter,” said Tarbox, “I definitely feel we played with them the whole game. We just didn’t come out with the fire that they had.”
The Trojans finished on a high note by outscoring the visitors, 18-12 in the final stanza.
“We’re not going to start yelling at each other,” said Tarbox. “We know that’s not going to help in the long run. When we realized we were down by too much to recover from, we just wanted to stay in the game. Get better at the things we weren’t so good at.”
Thornton’s lot doesn’t get any easier, as it will take on undefeated South Portland (3-0), Tuesday, on the road.
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