WESTBROOK — The Westbrook Blue Blazes (4-1) used size to dismantle the Biddeford Tigers (2-3), winning by 20 in a 48-28 win at Westbrook High School Friday.
Before the game, both teams honored the Newtown, Conn. school shooting by wearing specially made t-shirts during warm-ups. A moment of silence was held for 26 seconds representing the fallen 26 teachers and children.
During the game, Biddeford was out-rebounded 26-15 as the Blue Blazes showed their strength and size under the bucket. 11 of those rebounds were on the offensive side, which lead to points in the paint. Senior captain Matt Cote was the lone standout in the rebound department for the Tigers, grabbing nine of Biddeford’s 15 rebounds.
“Matt does a good job on both ends. I need him to start scoring more, but tonight he rebounded as well as he has all season. He is a guy I’m counting on for the inside game, where he needs to play more physical offensively,” said Biddeford Coach Mike Fecteau.
Kyle Lagasse was a nice spark off the bench for the Tigers, as he had eight points. He tied for the team lead in scoring with fellow point guard Cam Nadeau with eight.
“Our strategy going into the game was to drive the lane and get to the basket against these guys,” said Fecteau. “We need to get to the hoop and I have been stressing that all practice.”
Westbrook big man David Breunig had a game high 11 points and eight rebounds.
In the first half, Biddeford kept the score close. Westbrook started on a 6-0 run, but Biddeford found ways to make buckets, even when the offense broke down. Westbrook’s game plan was clear, as they looked to go inside to Breunig so he could muscle his way to the hoop. If that didn’t work, forward Keenan Lowe took over and created points off the dribble. The score at halftime had Westbrook at a manageable eight point lead, at 19-11.
“For as bad as we played in the first half we were still in the game,” said Fecteau.
In the second half, Westbrook continued to pound the ball inside, this time using forward Chris Connolly as well as Breunig. Connolly had four points in the third quarter, giving Breunig a spell. Westbrook used seven offensive rebounds in the second half to score second chance opportunities. Westbrook started pulling away, with the score 32-18 after the third, and ended the game 48-28.
“Defensively in the second half they controlled the boards against us. We did a good job with that in the first half, but we struggled out-jumping them in the second,” said Fecteau.
Biddeford also struggled form the free-throw line, as they went 8-20 on attempts.
“When you’re cold shooting we need to get to the hoop and get to the free throw line. We got to the free throw line tonight, but we’re only 8-20. We missed technical (free-throws) and even our best shooters were missing them,” said Fecteau.
Biddeford next will host Scarborough (2-3) on Saturday, Dec. 29.
—Contact Nate Fowler at 282-135, Ext. 323.
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