Something had to give last Thursday when Westbrook visited South Portland in an SMAA boys basketball showdown between unbeaten teams.

South Portland, without a player taller than 6’4″, is led by the SMAA’s leading scorer in Keegan Hyland, a junior guard who can light it up from outside or take it to the rim. Westbrook has a pair of the league’s best big men in juniors Dominic Borelli (6’7″) and Nich Jobin (6’6″).

Hyland started quickly and still managed a game-high 23 points despite a fine defensive effort by Westbrook’s Christian Hamilton. Jobin and Borelli were held scoreless in the first quarter and Borelli had only two points at the half, but scored 11 of his team-high 17 in the third quarter when the Blue Blazes pulled away. They went on to win 62-47 to improve to 7-0. The game was originally slated for Wednesday, but pushed back a day due to snow.

The Red Riots received the first blemish on their record, dropping to 7-1. They shook off the loss and went on the road Friday to defeat Windham 68-54 behind 32 from Hyland. The Riots were scheduled to take on Thornton Academy (8-1) in Saco on Tuesday in a game played after the Current’s deadline.

The South Portland student body turned out en masse for the contest with Westbrook, the red-and-white clad bunch packing the bleachers behind the hoop at the far end of the gym. Hyland gave the loud (but well-behaved) group something to cheer about early on, knocking down back-to-back 3-pointers five minutes into the game to give the Riots a 12-4 lead. But sophomore forward Sean Murphy put the Blazes right back in the game with two straight 3s of his own from the right side of the arc. He was left free as the South Portland defenders focused their attention inside. It was 13-12 South Portland at the end of one.

Jobin scored with 5:21 left in the second to tie the score at 16-16. It was the first points for either he or Borelli. Four minutes later, Hamilton’s 3 gave Westbrook a 24-22 lead, its first since 2-0. Borelli’s only hoop of the half made it 26-24 entering the break. Hyland finished the first half with 15 points, including three 3s.

The Westbrook big men took over in the third, combining for 16 points as the Blazes outscored the Riots 24-10 in the quarter. After Murphy (11 points) sank his third 3 of the game, Jobin came up with a steal, converted a fast-break layup, and was fouled. He missed the free throw, but Murphy was there for the offensive rebound. He kicked it to Jobin, then got it back for an easy basket. After a defensive stop, Borelli scored inside to make it 36-26 in favor of Westbrook.

Hyland answered with two quick baskets, but Hamilton hit another 3 and Jobin scored in transition to make it 41-30 with 3:40 to go in the third. The Riots did not get closer than 10 the rest of the way. Hyland managed only four points – all on free throws – over the game’s final 12 minutes. Hamilton was charged with guarding him and did an admirable job, forcing him into many tough, off-balance shots with a hand in his face. It was 50-34 entering the fourth quarter.

Westbrook pushed the lead to 20 at 58-38 with 4:40 to go in the game. Both teams cleared their benches in the final minutes. Jobin finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Borelli had 13 boards.

Connor Hasson had 11 points for South Portland. All of South Portland’s starters had at least four rebounds. Hasson and 5’10” guard Jon DiBiase led the way with seven boards apiece.

Matt Lee, nursing an ankle injury, dressed but did not play for South Portland.

Copy the Story Link