The Country Day Cavaliers’ varsity basketball team brought their league record to 2-1 and their overall record to 6-6 after a 53-30 win at home against the Cristo Rey Saints on Jan. 25.

The team had strong performances from a number of players.

Junior small forward Jacob Chand led the team with 17 points; junior point guard Ryan Paul made 6 of his 10 free throws; junior point guard RJ Vargo scored 8 points and “got everyone into their right places,” according to coach David Ancrum. 

“We didn’t turn the ball over and we made our layups,” Ancrum said. “Our starters really set the table for the rest of the team, and we put in a lot of good work today.”

This was Vargo’s second game back after rehabilitating his torn labrum from the Cavalier’s varsity soccer team’s section championship win on Oct. 30.

“We performed well all over the court,” Vargo said. “Our defense was great and we moved the ball super well.”

The Cavs switched their defensive style from zone to man at the start of the second half, leaving the Saints scoreless during the third quarter.

“In the first half, all they were doing was shooting threes or getting putbacks when they got the rebound,” Vargo said. “Once we switched to man, though, they couldn’t shoot because we were in their face. They had to resort to driving to the basket and we were able to shut them down.”

Vargo commended his teammate, Chand. 

“We’ve been communicating really well recently and Jacob plays a big role in that,” Vargo said. “He sets the tempo for the team which really helps us.”

The Cavs’ next game is away on Jan. 27 against the Sacramento Adventist Capitals at 7:30 p.m.

— By Miles Morrow