KENNEBUNK — The Kennebunk boys basketball team bounced back from a heartbreaking loss to Wells with a 71-33 rout of visiting Massabesic on Tuesday night.
“We called it an “on track game.” We just wanted to get back on track,” said Kennebunk coach Dave Leal. “We didn’t play very well at Wells, so we needed to do everything a little bit better and we did.”
Kyle Pasieniuk led the way with 15 points for the Rams, who improved to 9-2 on the season.
Kennebunk would also get nine points apiece from Max Murray and Adam Lux. Cam Lovejoy and Derek Smith both finished with seven points in the win.
The Rams jumped out to a 19-7 lead after the first quarter and were up 34-16 at the break. Kennebunk would outscore Massabesic 37-17 in the final two quarters.
The Rams’ starting five got plenty of rest on Tuesday as 12 different players scored in the win.
Sophomore Sam Tartre knows the reserves have big shoes to fill when they take over for players like Lovejoy, Zack Sullivan and Tripp Bush, who have been starting for the Rams for the past three years.
“I feel like we all have similar skill sets and whenever I come off the bench I try to just keep the game going because we usually play really fast,” said Tartre, who finished with five points. “I’ve learned a lot from the seniors, especially Zack, Cam and Tripp, they have been great role models and have taught me a lot.”
Leal was thrilled to give his entire team a chance on Tuesday night.
“These guys all work hard in practice and they all deserve some (playing) time. They are a bunch of great kids,” Leal said.
The first-year coach is hoping the Rams will use their two losses — which came by a combined seven points — as motivation as the season progresses.
“We’ve lost two (close) games and we had great opportunities to make comebacks and we didn’t win, but we learned a lot from both of the losses,” said Leal.
Massabesic, which drops to 1-10, was led by Luke Greenleaf with 17 points.