Northern High’s Patriots improved to 4-0 Friday Dec. 15 against a Calvert High School boys basketball team that is going through some serious growing pains. Northern, a program on the opposite end of the spectrum as Calvert’s Cavaliers, took away Calvert’s ability to score winning 50-33.  "To be honest with you, we’re not concerned at this point with anything other than getting better ourselves. We don’t concern ourselves with the opponent. At this point we’re not worried about the margin that we’re trailing. The only thing we’re worried about right now is playing well. Managing the game doesn’t mean anything. When you don’t play well there’s no game to manage," said Calvert head coach Rick Lagana. For Northern this was just another step in the right direction, with their defense leading the way as it has through much of the young season. "It was big, we had a lot of goals in front of us and we just wanted to continue to play tough defense and play solidly on the offensive end. If we can continue to keep teams from scoring in spurts against us then we’re in good shape," Northern head coach Clarence Tennell stated. In the first quarter Northern jumped out to an early 6-0 lead, and did so behind plenty of second opportunities on the offensive. As things settled, it became clear that neither offense would really hit their stride in the first quarter. Calvert was able to keep things close with a big three point shot, but that would be followed up with 5 straight Patriot points, 3 coming on a converted three-point play which came after Northern drew contact. The quarter ended with the score at 11-7 in the Patriots favor. Moving forward in the second quarter both teams continued to struggle with scoring at the outset, but eventually Northern would find themselves. Northern struck first again with six straight, pushing their lead to 10. After a physical quarter it would be Northern who again, strung together some points with five to end the half with a 21-11 lead over the Cavaliers. The Patriots again showed how it was that they’ve remained undefeated thus far in the season, allowing only 4 points in the quarter. "It was big. These county games, it doesn’t matter if you come in here 3-0 or 0-3, they’re going to be battles. So, if you get out to a big lead it’s going to help you out. If you can maintain the intensity you’re in good shape," relayed Tennel. "I think it was our pressure defense and just playing off the ball away from our man, and just playing good defense," added the Patriots second leading scorer, Travaris Smith, who finished with seven points. In the second half Northern cruised to victory with that big lead, but Calvert came away with their best production of the game with 22 points, 13 coming in the third quarter. "We had a group on the floor that did a fabulous job in terms of effort. They executed better than they’ve executed all year so we’re going to build on that second half," Lagana related. "The second half tonight we showed huge strides. I just think it took them a half to get their feet on the ground. We didn’t win the second half, but we competed. We didn’t give them two and three shots every time at the basket, we didn’t fumble the balls out of bounds; we competed and that’s the first step. When we get this group of athletes competing and playing well, we’ll be fine." The Patriots fourth consecutive win came behind a strong effort from Shawn Greenfield, who scored 17 against the Cavaliers. "Our team motto is togetherness and everything so when we leave the huddle we just say togetherness and that’s what we did tonight; we just stuck together and pulled it out. It’s a good win for us," said Greenfield. "Defense was the key, that’s all it was. [It’s just] helping each other." Greenfield’s teammate Smith was also enthusiastic about the win, and talked about his team’s early success with team unity as the focal point. "We’re playing together; everybody’s scoring points and coach just says play together and just run. Get the ball out and just run. I think [we’re doing well] because we’ve been practicing hard, putting in a lot of work after school. Just playing together a lot," he said. "The chemistry is good, because all of us are on the same page and we’re not selfish; we share the ball. Everybody gets touches; everybody stays satisfied." Tennel gave his observations on why his team is performing at their high level as well. "I just think that the guys, right now, are just playing well together. I think they’re excited for each other and just having success and I think it’s just carrying over onto the court. Right now we’re really priding ourselves on defense. We’re just really concentrating on defense right now and hopefully our defense is going to generate some more offensive opportunities for us," he stated. "I’m very happy and excited." Lagana in a more somber, but nevertheless optimistic, mood was able to comment on where his team was at in their rebuilding process. "Remember now, 95 percent of the scoring on the team walked out the door in March last year, so we’re basically in our toddler stages," he relayed. "I think it starts with working hard and building chemistry." Lagana had nothing but praise for his rivals from the north. "They coached the heck out of that team. They play some defense," he added.