As big as the Pacific Ocean. That's how big the rim must have seemed to Les Thomas as he splashed his way to 32 points and 7 rebounds in the season opener against Cascia Hall at The McClendon Athletic Center on Tuesday night.

Thomas put the Chargers on the board first after Jon Matthews penetrated and kicked the rock out to the 6'4 guard on the right wing for an uncontested three. Thomas went 3 of 5 from long range in the first quarter and then caught fire, converting on his next 4 tries before missing. With the Commandos making a late 3rd quarter surge to narrow the lead to 46-43 Chargers, Thomas stepped up and drained his 8th three of the night inspring his teammates as Heritage then surged to regain a double-digit lead.

Midway through the 4th quarter Thomas got open near the left baseline directly in front of The Jungle, received a timely pass from William McDonald, rose up and drilled his 9th three-pointer of the game to tie the school record (Austin Beeler made 9 in a 2001 game). He missed his final two attempts at owning the record late in the 4th quarter, but the Chargers coasted to a 70-55 win to open the season.

Jon Matthews blistered the net on 6 of 7 shooting, including 3 of 3 from behind the arc, to add 18 points for Heritage Hall. William McDonald led the team with 8 assists on the night. Despite a tough shooting night, Sayvon Milton contributed in the hustle department by snatching 6 rebounds, doling out 3 assists, and pilfering the ball from the Commandos on two occasions.

The 5th-ranked Chargers know that the road to a 4A Gold Ball is only going to get tougher game by game, but they have a week of practice to prepare for a road contest at 4A #13 Mount Saint Mary on December 6th and a home showdown with 3A #1 Douglass on December 8th. And while the rim is looking big as the ocean, Coach Hamilton and staff will continue focusing on the little things...

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