Before traveling to Choptican, Maryland, their record stood at a mere 2-5. Yet after these first seven games, two wins was double their total of last year.

After wrapping up a close 47-50 loss to Richard Montgomery before winter break, the team took its time during the holidays to continue playing and strengthen as a unit.

Led by coach Bill Morris, the Cats traveled to Morganza in St. Mary’s County to play at Chopticon High School in a two-day tournament from Dec. 28-29.  In its first match with the host school, the team pulled out a 51-42 win and earned a chance to play in the championship game against Great Mills the following day. The game was capped by performances by junior center Halid Hamadi, (19 points),  and fellow junior guards Ryan Lynch (13) and Harrison Gibert (6).

In the championship game, the Cats hung with the Great Mills Hornets  during the first quarter, even leading by one, but a mediocre second quarter proved their ultimate fall when the team scored only four points.

“We played well in the first game,” said Morris. “The second game wasn’t as good because we weren’t shooting well, but it was an overall good tournament.”

With some respectable momentum gathered from the holiday break, the now 3-6 team will open its first game of 2011 and try to win its fourth game of the season  against rival Churchill on Friday, Jan. 7 at 5:15 p.m.