Kajan Thiruthanikasalam (Sports Writer, Colts Athletics)

SCARBOROUGH, ONT.- It was a struggle for the Centennial Colts men's basketball team in the first two games of the season as they suffered a double digit loss against Durham and a nailbiting win against Canadore.

There was no need to worry about anything like that tonight.

In their home opener, the Colts were solid on both ends as they easily beat the Algonquin Thunder, 86-66, in front of a sellout crowd at the Athletic and Wellness Centre. Centennial took the lead for good late in the first quarter at 21-20 and never relinquished it, resulting in a blowout and keeping the starters fresh for tomorrow's game against the La Cite Coyotes.

"If you watch past OCAA Championships teams such as Mohawk, Humber and Sheridan they go 8-10 deep. Both George Brown and Seneca were deep last year," Colts head coach Trevor Challenger said. "So this offseason I promised to build a bench so that our starters don't fatigue later on in the season. If you look at our 10 games this preseason, we played 14 players. This gave players a chance to play and find their niche. For Algonquin, we just wanted to keep our players fresh, which gave us a chance to first focus on our game plan."

With the win, Centennial improves to 2-1 while Algonquin falls to 1-4.

Three players scored in double figures for Centennial, led by forward Alastair Cole's game high 25 points on an efficient 10 of 18 shooting from the field.

"A lot of open lanes (were there today)," Cole said. "My coaches told me that I get the ball and see an open shot, just take it and shoot it with confidence."

Forward Bailey Burton chipped in with 18 points while shooting guard Kendall Wilson scored 15.

"All (three) guys can score, the question going into the season is doing it together," Challenger said. "We're very pleased with the offensive output from them thus far."

Point guard Jahshua McFarlane dished out a game high seven assists and tied with guard Jason Dennis with a game high three steals and forward Edose Etomi with a team high seven rebounds in the win.

"McFarlane spent the summer working on his composure and patience. He had (a) good training camp, where he got a chance to work with his teammates," Challenger said. "Last season we wanted him to just run the offence, but this year we gave him a little more freedom."

The Colts limited the Thunder to just 31.9 per cent shooting from the field for the game and forced them into 15 turnovers, all of them on steals.

Centennial shot an efficient 46.1 per cent from the field despite committing 22 turnovers. They also outrebounded Algonquin, 51-42, despite missing starting centre Malique Hyde due to injury.

"With Malique out, we're struggling in so many areas. He provides low post presence, rebounding, shot blocking and scoring. However, other players have stepped up to fill that void," Challenger said. "Burton has provided low post scoring and toughness. (Walshak) Yusuf has brought positive energy and defensive grit. Forwards (Edose) Etomi is developing into a monster on defensive glass not to mention his block(ed) shots (and) Madhi is a smooth, savvy forward that does a bit of everything. (Also), Khaleel Sutherland plays from (small forward to centre) and gives us that flexibility because he's so talented."

"So with that being said, we miss Malique, but other guys have stepped up on the glass."

Transition scoring was a major factor in the win as the guards, particularly Cole and Wilson, were the recipients and benefactors of fast break finishes.

"We're a transition team; we're faster compared to last year," McFarlane said. "Our best way to score is to run out on the break since we have mostly guards."

"We like to push the ball and get easy baskets every game," Cole said.

"Cole and Wilson are so quick in the open floor, it makes it easy for McFarlane to rack up his assists," Challenger said. "Both players are starting to get their legs under them so finishing in the open floor is becoming increasingly easier."

The game didn't start off on the right foot for Centennial as Algonquin went on an early 8-0 run and held a small lead for most of the quarter.

But the Colts took advantage of their speed as they scored 14 fast break points in the quarter, capped off by a three point play from Cole. 

Cole scored 12 in the first quarter as Centennial took a 24-20 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter started off well for Centennial started off on a 6-0 run as guard Daniel Humphrey immediately made an impact off the bench, scoring five points in that span and finishing with six points overall.  The Colts bench outscored the Thunder bench, 22-13, and guard Allister Rivers also had six points off the bench.

"Both Daniel Humphrey and Allister Rivers are scorers that just need to find their rhythm. Both players are excellent in the open court," Challenger said. "Defensively they get in the passing lanes for steals and deflections which leads to scores. As the season progresses they will get better."

A bank shot from Cole pushed Centennial's lead to double digits.The Colts then closed the half on a 6-0 run, on three layups, two from Wilson and one from Burton, as they led 46-32 heading into intermission.

The third quarter was relatively ho-hum for most of the quarter as the deficit stayed at around 14. Centennial the burst out on a quick 9-0 run near the end of the quarter, capped off by a huge putback dunk from Cole (although he received a technical for hanging on the rim).

The Colts took a 71-49 lead at the end of the third quarter and cruised from there.

Cole, Dennis, and McFarlane believe that this team can do special things this season if everything comes together.

"I truly believe that as long as we keep working every day, it shouldn't be a reason why we don't go to nationals this year," Cole said.

"We can go far if we stay disciplined. As of right now, it's limited because we're not playing to our full potential," Dennis said. "This game was a better representation for coming and finishing out strong and using everybody as opposed to certain people."

"Our record could be better than last year's if everyone just knows their roles and plays unselfish," McFarlane said. "If we play as a team, sky's the limit."