MARQUAND -- The Risco Tigers basketball team recorded a strong start to 2009 leg of their season with 76-40 victory on the road against Marquand Friday.
Tigers head coach Brandon Blankenship was pleased to see his players ready to play coming off Christmas break.
"It's just good to get back to playing," Blankenship said. "I felt that our intensity level was high."
Blankenship felt his team handled the atmosphere of Friday's game well.
"Marquand is a tough place to play," he said. "There gym is small and a good atmosphere to play in. The play was physical and I was very proud of our intensity level."
Risco's Brandon Bennett and Zack Williams led the way for the Tigers. The guard and center provided 27 and 21 points respectively. Williams also notched his first slam dunk of the 2008-2009 season.
Blankenship said that he believes his offense is beginning to gel.
"I feel our offense is starting to gel," he said. "Ross Carter didn't have as good of a night as he would have liked too, but we have a number of people who can step up on any given night. I feel that is our biggest asset."
Risco moves their record to 8-1 with the win. The Tigers have now won eight straight games after dropping the season-opener to Campbell.
Risco will travel to take on Leopold Friday. The game will begin at 6 p.m.
In junior varsity action Friday, Risco defeated Marquand 47-39. Leading scorers for the junior varsity Tigers were freshmen Chris Pavy (22) and Luke Bixler (13).