The 8th Grade basketbroncs demonstrated their identity in a near-shutout at Shenandoah. Poise and control under pressure, wed with a staunch and feisty defense, creates a team that, to use a commentator cliche, nobody will want to play come tournament time. If this team can build upon the lessons learned in this week’s games, they’ll be positioned well to start stacking wins into the new year.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. A date with imaginary bears (can any bear really be described as golden?) looms, and with it the toughest test yet of this young season.