photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury junior Jace Smith shoots a layup against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

There’s a lot for the Bishop Seabury boys basketball team to smile about. The Seahawks entered the new year improving to 5-0 for the first time since the 2019-20 season after an 81-46 win over rival Veritas Christian at home on Friday night.

A dominant second half saw five Seahawks – junior Jace Smith (19 points), sophomore Jace Hoffman (18), junior Chase Honarvar (17), senior Aidan Page (14), and sophomore Beau Peterson (10) – land in double-digit scoring.

But the final stat sheet doesn’t illustrate the valiant first-half effort by the Eagles (3-4), which featured strong performances by junior starting guard Abel Ney (15 points) and junior big man Gavin Oberzan (14) to pull Veritas out of a sluggish start.

Veritas head coach Carl Huslig – whose group is made up of mainly junior varsity players that moved up this season – said the first half featured his team’s best basketball of the school year.

“We were very happy to be down 9 at the half,” Huslig said. “It’s like I told ’em, ‘God didn’t build the Earth in seven days.’ We’ve got to build this team and they’ve got to get used to situations when there’s 28 seconds left in the second quarter and you don’t need to be shooting 3s.”

Seabury, jumping out to an early 10-2 lead behind 3-pointers from Hoffman and Peterson, grappled with the Eagles throughout the remainder of the half. Veritas, backed by three 3s from Ney, climbed within five points of the Seahawks shortly after the game resumed in the second quarter.

Honarvar and Oberzan went toe-to-toe in the lane and the big men headed into the locker room with six points apiece. As Hoffman went quiet from the arc, Peterson knocked down his second 3 of the night midway toward the half.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury sophomore Beau Peterson shoots a 3-pointer against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

Seabury head coach Trey Johnson said his group was caught off guard, crediting Veritas with finding any and every avenue to the basket.

“We were not ready for that,” Johnson said. “We didn’t respond super well to it…. We didn’t play our best game, and I know that’s weird to say winning by 30 or whatever, but I think we could’ve played much better defensively, but it’s a good start.”

Veritas, down 35-26 at halftime, showed more signs of life headed into in the break.

A steal-and-score from Ney to Oberzan, coupled with a goaltending call against Seabury’s Smith, helped the Eagles stay within arm’s reach. Huslig credited Ney’s role on the floor and praised his transition from junior varsity this season.

“(Ney)’s come so far in just one month,” Huslig said. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence and it’s great to see.”

Usual starter Aidan Page – who didn’t start the game due to fatigue – came off the bench with some added urgency in the second half. The senior guard made 14 points in the second half alone, including a 3-pointer in the fourth quarter.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury senior Aidan Page takes flight and attempts a dunk against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

Four 3s between Hoffman and Smith, along with Page’s contributions, helped Seabury ascend to a 25-point advantage before the third quarter wrapped. Down the stretch, Veritas sophomore Max McCleary added four points off the bench, but the Eagles lost their fourth contest of the season – and second to the Seahawks.

With conference play on the horizon, Johnson said his team’s focus now shifts to a Kaw Valley Conference title.

“I think they know what they’re working for,” Johnson said. “We’re using these games as stepping stones to get to that point. They know they can play better and do some things to improve.”

Seabury opens its conference schedule at Olathe-Heritage Christian on Jan. 9. Veritas hosts the Omaha Roadrunners Saturday.

BOX SCORE:

BSA 23 12 29 17 – 81

VCS 15 11 14 6 – 46

Bishop Seabury (81) Jace Hoffman 7-19 1-2 18; Beau Peterson 3-4 2-3 10; Zephyr O’Hara 1-2 1-2 3; Jace Smith 8-14 0-1 19; Chase Honarvar 6-9 3-4 17. Totals: 31-58 8-13 81.

Veritas Christian (46) Justice Alvarez 1-3 2-2 4; Joshua Nadvornik 2-3 0-0 4; Abel Ney 4-8 4-4 15; Gavin Oberzan 6-10 0-0 12; Hunter Welch 1-2 0-0 2. Totals: 18-33 6-6 46.

3-point goals: BSA: 11-20 (); VCS: 4-12 (). Turnovers: BSA 8, VCS 19. Fouled Out: None.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury sophomore Jace Hoffman makes a floater against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury junior Jace Smith looks to pass against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury sophomore Beau Peterson shoots a layup against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury sophomore Jace Hoffman makes a 3-point shot against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury junior Jace Smith shoots a floater against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

photo by: Landon Cory/Special to the Journal-World

Bishop Seabury senior Aidan Page makes a layup against Veritas Christian on Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.