GORHAM – If you reviewed the pre-game Heal Point standings, then the Westbrook High School boys basketball 69-53 victory over Gorham on Tuesday night probably wasn’t much of a surprise.

The Blue Blazes are now 9-2 and ranked fifth in Class A West, while the Rams are 4-7 and clinging to hopes of a playoff spot.

It took awhile at the beginning for both teams to settle down, but when they did, it was the Blue Blazes out front with a 17-9 lead after one quarter, and ahead 27-21 at halftime.

Adjustments were made in both locker rooms, of course, resulting in Gorham tightening things up in the third quarter and pulling to within three points, 38-35, with just over three minutes to play.

But every time Gorham looked to make a game of it, Westbrook would answer, usually with a 3-point dagger from Zach Bean or Keenan Lowe. Bean and Lowe, two of Westbrook’s four senior captains, both scored 19 points to lead all scorers.

Bean made four 3-point attempts, and was 7 of 10 from the foul line, all in the fourth quarter. Lowe made two 3-point shots and was 7 for 8 at the foul line. D.J. Breunig, a third senior captain, added 14, including a perfect 8 for 8 from the foul line.

All those foul shots are an indication of the problems the Blue Blazes caused the Rams, who send the visitors to the free throw line 29 times, and they made 23 shots.

The Rams battled right to the end, led by Brian Darling (13 points), Elliott Spiers (12 points) and Alex Owens (10 points).

D.J. Breunig pulls in a pass in the very low post and lays the ball in to make the score 14-7 in the first quarter.

D.J. Breunig is fouled from behind by Ryan Sullivan, a very bad idea, as Breunig was a perfect 8 for 8 from the foul line in the game.

Gorham’s Bryan Darling (32) wins the battle for a rebound after a missed free throw. Darling led the Rams with 13 points.

Westbrook’s Keenan Lowe made a nice steal in the Gorham end, then finished the fast break with an even nicer layup at the other end. Lowe had 19 points for the visiting Blue Blazes.

Gorham’s Alex Owens splits the Westbrook defense on a drive in the second half. Owens contributed 10 points to the Rams effort.

Gorham’s Elliot Spiers has a shot attempt go astray in the low post. Spiers finished with 12 points for the Rams.

Bryan Darling took a great feed from Jon Woods and laid it in for two of his 13 points.