Seahawk Cagers Off to Fast Start

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's vastly improved boys' varsity basketball team got off to a fast start this week, thrashing Colonel Richardson, 78-30, in the season opener last Friday before hanging on for a tight 44-43 win over James M. Bennett on Monday to start the season 2-0.

The Seahawks, who finished a rather dismal 7-18 last year, should be much better this season with some key returning players and a handful of transfers from other area schools. Starters Tre Foreman and Tom Lubeski return from last year's team along with a few others players, but the biggest impact on the roster this season could come from some key players who transferred to Decatur this year.

For example, Montre Andrews transferred to Decatur from Indian River in Delaware, while Cedric Johnson came back to area after playing at St. John's Prep in Frederick, Md. last year. Johnson was part of Snow Hill's state championship team two years ago before moving from the area. In addition, Dre Smith, another former Snow Hill Eagle, is now playing for Decatur, while guard Mark Engle has joined the Seahawk roster after playing for Delmarva Christian last year.

Already, the influx of new talent along with the key group of returning players is paying dividends for the Seahawks. In the season opener, Decatur routed Colonel Richardson, 78-30, behind a team-high 12 points from Andrews. Kevin Henry added 11 and Engle pitched in nine for Decatur.

On Monday, the Seahawks followed up the opening night win with a narrow 44-43 victory over Bayside South rival James M. Bennett. Decatur jumped all over Bennett early, building an early lead and withstanding a late charge by the Clippers. Decatur led by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, but Bennett scratched and clawed its way back into the contest. Andrews led all Decatur scorers, tossing in 14 points including eight in the third quarter alone.