The boys basketball team improved its record to 4-5 with a 48-44 win over the 6-3 Churchill Bulldogs Jan. 2.

The Bulldogs entered the game with a record of 6-2 while the Vikings had just come off a tournament victory in Deep Creek Lake. The Vikes had gone 1-1 against Churchill last season and were knocked out of the playoffs by the Bulldogs in the second round. Although Churchill was favored, Whitman kept the game close and capitalized on late Bulldog errors to pull off the upset.

Point guard Max Steinhorn helped Whitman control the tempo of the game, scoring six points and dishing out multiple assists. Captains Andrew Castagnetti and Daniel Lowet were once again the team’s leading scorers, scoring 14 and 11 respectively.

The key to the team’s victory was its strong defense, shutting down Churchill’s leading scorers and limiting their effectiveness.

“We mixed up our defenses well and kept them off balance,” Steinhorn said. “It feels great to beat them at home especially after last year.”

The team looks to win its fourth straight game Jan. 3 away against its crosstown rival, the 1-6 B-CC Barrons.