SLIDESHOW: Click the photo to see more derring-do in this admirable duel.

Brian Johnson exuded the great confidence his players demonstrated on the court on Tuesday, December 6.

Mount Rainier's head boys' basketball coach had just observed his team in a South Puget Sound League 4A North 74-52 demolition of Tahoma at home in a display of what the Rams bring to the fray this season in their bid to return to the playoffs after missing out last spring.

The Rams remained unbeaten (2-0 league, 3-0 overall) in a three-way tie for first.

"We started off slowly and did not have much continuity," he said. "We waited until we could break. Once we got on the the track we went from there. We have great athletes and we have depth."

Following a close first quarter that featured five ties before the Bears emerged with a 15-13 lead, Mount Rainier seized control for good with punishing defense and quick transition baskets.

Back to back 3-pointers from Bobby Lenaburg and Malik Rodgers pushed the lead to 19-15. An Adrian Davis assist to Jamil Wilson-Jones produced a basket plus a free throw and a 22-15 advantage. Davis contributed eight points-including two 3-point bombs while Rodgers (7 points) and Wilson-Jones (6 points) helped in the quarter as the Rams hit halftime with a 36-23 lead.

Similar action continued the rest of the game with Mount Rainier leading by 28 points early in the fourth quarter.

"We were a young team last year. Everyone got better over the summer," observed Johnson. "We're ready to take care of business. Basically we're deep so we can rotate players regulary and keep the game fast paced. We have good chemistry and return starters Malik Rodgers, Adrian Davis, Dwane Clay and Caden Rowland."

On Tuesday, Davis led the way with 22 points on 8-for-12 shooting from the field including 4-for-6 from behind the 3-point arc. Lenaburg added 13 point on 5-for-6 shooting from the field and 3-for-4 from 3-point distance. Rodgers contributed 13 points, five assists and three steals while Rowland scored 10 points with seven boards.