Dvonne Trumbo and Flo DaSilva combined for 12 points in the first quarter.
They were even better at the defensive end.
"That was the game plan," Trumbo said of the pressure defense that sparked Bishop Eustace to a 57-40 victory over Wildwood Catholic on Saturday in the Jeff Coney Classic boys' basketball showcase at Rancocas Valley.
Trumbo and DaSilva, junior guards, combined for five steals in the first quarter, setting the tone for the impressive victory for Bishop Eustace (11-3).
"We don't see that, night in and night out, that defensive pressure," Wildwood Catholic coach Dave DeWeese said. "They knocked us back on our heels."
Trumbo finished with 14 points, and DaSilva added 11. Bishop Eustace broke to a 33-11 halftime lead and held a 41-14 advantage early in the third quarter.
Junior forwards Ed McWade and Jordan Robertson each scored 15 for Wildwood Catholic (13-2), the No. 10 team in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings and one that had won 13 straight since a loss on opening night.
"This was good for us," DeWeese said.
Bishop Eustace coach Bob Falconiero was happy with his team's defensive intensity, especially in the first half.
"We came out strong," Falconiero said. "Those two guys [Trumbo and DaSilva] play like that all the time. They took them out of what they wanted to do."
Bishop Eustace 16 17 13 11 – 57
Wildwood Catholic 5 6 20 9 – 40
BE: Flo DaSilva 11, Tom Falconiero 4, Ry'n Bland 6, Dvonne Trumbo 14, Conner McLaughlin 6, Brandon Cazan 8, Mike Cohen 8.
WC: Ed McWade 15, Clinton Freeman 2, George Cook 2, Jordan Robertson 15, Keenan Osborne 4, Tyler Norris 2.
Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
