The Eastern boys basketball team took off from the opening tip, dominating Capital Prep in all areas of the game, and coasted to an 80-44 victory Monday night in the Lancer’s gym. Eastern led, 23-7, after one quarter, and Capital Prep never recovered. Zaveyn Tate scored eight, Lukas Sward six, and Jordan Chisholm five in a first period played seemingly without a ref’s whistle being heard. The Lancers drove at will through the Prep defense and scored lay-up after lay-up.

The Lancers kept it up in the second quarter, outscoring Capital Prep 20-10 and taking a commanding 43-17 lead at the half.  Chisholm scored eight in the second period, connecting on two three’s from downtown.

Eastern shot 20 of 36 in the first half, 55.5%.  Brady Bell had seven rebounds in the half. The game was virtually over.

Coach Bunty Ray took advantage of the mismatch by playing his entire roster in the second half, mixing up the different groups on the court every few minutes. The JV group also got some valuable tournament experience in the final minutes.

Tate led all Lancer scorers with 17 points, followed closely by Chisholm with 15 and Sward with 12. Twelve Eastern players dented the scoring column on the night and a good time was had by all.

Pomperaug will be the Lancers next opponent in the tournament, visiting on Wednesday night. The Panthers, ranked #22, upset 11th seed Platt Tech, 60-49 on Monday. Game time will be 6:30.

CIAC Division IV, opening round of tournament

Bristol Eastern  80    Capital Prep  44

CAPITAL PREP (9-13): Oshoy Fray 0  0  0, Malique Marshall  6  0  12,  Damir Williams  1  0  2,  Amare Cockfield  7  0  17,  Jalile Riddick  1  0  3,  Syre Gillespie  3  0  8,  Javais Spencer  1  0  2, Isaiah Hill 0  0  0.  Totals:  19   0   44.

BRISTOL EASTERN (18-5):   Naseem  Walker  1  0  2,  Brayden Dauphinais  3  0 6,   Jordan Chisholm  6  0  15,  Isaiah Lawrence-Bynum  2  0  4,  Zaveyn Tate  8  1  17, Owen Myers 0  0  0,  Lukas Sward  6  0  12,  Brady Bell  2  0  4,  Ben Kozikowski 0  2  2, Ryan Gaity 0  0  0,  Tyghe Collins  1  1  3,  Dante DePass  2  3  7,  Ben D’Amato  1  0  2, Noah Molinsky 0  0  0, Jacob Kingsley  2  1  6.  Totals:  34   8   80.

Capital Prep:        7    10    14    13   – – – –    44                                                                               
Bristol Eastern:  23   20    19    18   – – – –  80