Off the opening tip, the Terrapins got the ball and put points on the board to establish a lead they would never relinquish. The second- and third-grade match-up Nov. 30 between the Yellow Jackets and Terrapins at the East Lawrence Center was dominated by the boys in red.

The Terrapins’ up-tempo style and swarming offense kept the Yellow Jackets off the board for much of the game. The Terrapins held the Yellow Jackets to six points and won 40-6 to move to 1-0 on the season and continue an unbeaten streak dating back to Nov. 9 during the preseason tournament.

Champions of the preseason Hoopster Tournament, the Terrapins showed why they were the winners and made a case for being the best team in the second- and third-grade division.

“Our pressure defense created turnovers, which led to offensive points,” Terrapins coach Kent Houk said.

After putting up the opening two points and changing possessions, Terrapin Keegan McKinney stole the ball and drove to the hoop for two. Andrew Keating took a great pass and converted it for two Terrapin points and extended their lead to 6-0.

On the next play, Terrapins Coleman Houk and Keating caused a jump ball that went the Yellow Jackets’ way. Terrapin Joel Spain then stole the ball, which resulted in two more points.

Leading 20-0, the Terrapins tried to slow down the pace of the game by running plays designed by their coach. Point guard Keating dribbled the ball up court and held up four fingers, indicating they were setting up the four-corners play. The play, which did not run exactly to Houk’s design, resulted in two points and extended the Terrapins lead to 22 points.

At the half, the Terrapins held a commanding 22-0 lead, which extended after the break.

The Terrapins continued to play up-tempo, which kept the ball moving and proved to be troublesome for the Yellow Jackets, who struggled to hold on to the ball.

The game’s pace provided the Terrapins an opportunity to convert on fast-break opportunities and caused the Yellow Jackets to mishandle the ball on numerous possessions. With the tempo causing sloppy play, turnovers and jump balls dominated the second and third quarters.

Terrapin Joel Spain works the corner as he gets to the basket Nov. 30 against the Yellow Jackets. The Terrapins continued their winning streak dating bak to the Hoopster preseason tournament by defeating the Yellow Jackets 40-6 in the second- and third-grade game.

Halfway through the third-quarter the Yellow Jackets finally got on the board, but at the end of three quarters the Terrapins held a 30-2 advantage.

In the fourth, the Yellow Jackets added another basket, and as time expired Luke Padia made a shot to give his team six points on the night.

Yellow Jacket coach Wade Wiebe attributed his team’s lack of offensive production to the fast pace of the game.

Throughout the game from the Terrapin bench, coach Houk emphasized running designed plays.

“Our four-corners play that we ran a lot tonight helps the boys keep their spacing, because at this age they tend to hover around the ball,” Houk said.

The Terrapins’ offense continues to dominate their opponents: in three games this season their average margin of victory is 33 points. They will try to remain unbeaten tonight when they take on the Bruins at the East Lawrence Center.