Coming off of three straight wins, the varsity boys basketball team had plenty of momentum going into the game vs. Colonial. The team was without starting point guard Grant Greene due to an ankle injury on Friday, Jan. 13 when they played Lake Howell. Without Greene, the team was still able to win 47-42 and improve to an 11-6 record.

In the first quarter, the team went on a 10-0 run to start the game and it took Colonial until there was 1:02 left on the clock to score their first two points. Four of the five starters scored in the first quarter to give the team a 10-4 lead. The team utilized their bench extensively in this game due to the loss of Greene, and they accepted the challenge.

“The [bench] have kept the ship going. When guys start to get tired we really haven’t missed a beat,” head coach Joshua Kohn said. “[They can] knock down shots. It’s kept us on pace and right where we should be.”

The second quarter was much of the same; the bench played the majority of the quarter and was able to keep the lead until halftime. Guard Aiden Quiles knocked down a three to begin the second and forward Jace Coffee took a charge on defense and then hit two free throws on the other end to give the team momentum. Towards the end of the quarter the starters came back in and were able to hold a 25-11 lead at the half.

To start the second half were the bench players yet again as Quiles, Coffee and guard Andrew Hope led the charge. They were able to build on the lead and then forward Will Faulk came in and had two layups while guard Vecarie Pettis and center Joe Conley scored five of the team’s nine third quarter points. The bench made key defensive stops and secured the lead 34-23 at the end of the third.

The fourth quarter came down to the wire as Colonial went on a late run and brought the lead down to five points but that was still not enough to get it done. Faulk led the team with 18 points while Conley finished with nine to secure the win.

The next game is Friday, Jan. 20 vs. conference opponent Lake Howell in the competition gym. The team will continue their success with playoffs less than a month away.