There were talks of 0-18, but the New Jersey Nets now have a firm grasp on that record as the boys basketball team won its first two games of the season on the road against Kennedy and Watkins Mill.
Many were shocked after CHS opened the season with a win as this was believed to be a rebuilding year for the Bulldogs who lost all five starters from last year’s team and now have five sophomores on the varsity roster. They proved it was no fluke as they rolled past Watkins Mill 58-45 Dec. 11.
The Bulldogs went into the half tied, but Watkins Mill could not overcome 29 points by senior Jake Eskin as CHS pulled away with a 19-point third quarter.
Senior Tom DiFato also rebounded from a scoreless first game with 10 points of his own including shooting a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line.
The Bulldogs opened up their season in dramatic fashion Dec. 4 against Kennedy. Despite trailing for much of the game, CHS came out the victor by the slimmest of margins 46-45.
CHS came out cold in the first quarter scoring only three points and eventually going into the half trailing by nine.
“Our offensive execution [needs improvement],” senior Michael Ely said. “Right now Eskin is the majority of our scoring. We need to learn to spread the ball and run our plays consistently.”
The Bulldogs incited their rally with a dominant third quarter where they outscored Kennedy 18-4.
Kennedy would have a rally of its own in the fourth where they took a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds remaining, but Eskin knocked down a pair of free throws for two of his 20 points to give CHS the final 46-45 lead.
“He’s been through the wars at the varsity level a bit more than the other kids and has the talent to be one of the better players in the county at his position,” coach Matt Miller said.
CHS will head to Springbrook Dec. 18 for its third away game, as it will try to continue this surprising season.
“Personally, I think we’ve got a better team than last year,” DiFato said. “We’re not as dependent on one player and any given night anyone can step up.”
