A whole new Terrapins junior high Hoopsters team took to the court on Saturday. Three weeks into the season, the Terrapins have been using their games to improve and they showed their development at Langston Hughes by snatching the win from the Blue Devils, 50-22.

Terrapins head coach Dean Nol said the win was the result of work and team enhancement.

“We’ve improved from the first two weeks of games,” Nol said. “More than anything we have begun to show consistency.”

Along with their new-found consistency the Terrapins dominated the Blue Devils in height. Terrapins players stood inches above the Blue Devils, which allowed them to get to the ball first and get to the hoop often throughout the game.

Josh Hill stepped up for the Terrapins for a basket to get the game started. After falling behind, the Blue Devils tried to score with a steal from Keith Barnes, but it was not enough to pull them out of the slump and the team closed out the first quarter 11 points behind the Terrapins, 15-4.

Because of their sheer height the Terrapins out-rebounded the Blue Devils on both ends of the court.

“We dominated with our big guys, we had a height advantage on them across the front line and we took advantage of that,” Nol said.

The Terrapins increased their playing power in the second and went on a 10-point run with two consecutive layups, a rebound put-back from Taylor Stuart and a basket each from Chris Lyons and Kale Moore.

Like Nol, Terrapins point guard Blaine Kaehr said consistency was the key for the team throughout the game.

“I think we played well and consistent,” Kaehr said. “We took advantage of every opportunity.”

Ryan Guinn attempted to step up for the Blue Devils on the offensive end, breaking through to score, and Jeremiah Risner on the defensive end by intercepting a Terrapins pass, but both attempts fell short and the team closed out the half with a huge hill to climb after the break, trailing 35-9.

The Blue Devils tried to battle back in the second half. A steal from Daniel Burden sent the team on a point run. Burden went on to hit two for two from the free-throw line, and Lyons sunk a two-pointer from the side. Eric McCarthy also attempted a three-point shot that circled the rim but bounced off. The points allowed them to finish the third quarter with 14 points.

In the fourth quarter the Blue Devils continued to find ways to score. Barnes captured a steal from a missed Terrapins’ bucket that allowed Burden to elude Terrapins’ defenders for a back door basket.

The Terrapins and Blue Devils fight for position under the basket Saturday at Langston Hughes Elementary.

The effort was not enough to overcome the Terrapins’ early advantage. Both Taylor Stuart and Hill sunk a basket apiece to round out the last quarter and deliver the Terrapins 50-22 victory.

After the game Nol said his team scored so many points because they won the battle under the basket.

“Our rebounding really allowed us to shut them down,” Nol said.

Blue Devils head coach Pat Laushman said the Terrapins’ height and rebounds put his team to work on the court.

“The kids played hard,” Laushman said. “They were outsized, but they gave 100 percent out there and that is all you can really ask for.”