Lake Mead races past Henderson International in boys basketball

Lake Mead boys basketball coach Jeff Newton couldn’t help but be impressed with the way Henderson International and its eight freshmen opened 6-0 in the Class 1A Southern League.

But the defending 1A state champion Eagles sent a clear message Friday night that the upstart Wolverines have a way to go before reaching their plateau.

Lake Mead sprinted to a 21-2 lead and coasted to a crucial 49-28 home win over Henderson International.

“That’s where we want to be,” Wolverines coach Greg Stephens said of the Eagles. “They’re the goal that you want to get to. We just didn’t come ready to play tonight.”

Lake Mead (15-6, 7-0) held Henderson International to two points in the first 11½ minutes.

“Defensively, we did a great job,” Newton said. “I don’t think Henderson gave us their best, but defensively, I was very pleased.”

That first field goal for the Wolverines came from junior post player Rob Sampson, the son of former NBA All-Star Ralph Sampson, who was making his season debut.

Sampson, who recently moved from the Atlanta area, faced frequent double teams. He was held to four points but altered several opposing shots in the paint.

“He was a little winded as far as game speed,” Stephens said of Sampson. “He’ll come along fine.”

Landon Littlefield led Lake Mead with 15 points. Demetrius Turner had 11 points and 10 rebounds, eight of which offensive, for the Eagles.

Littlefield hit a running 3-pointer from well beyond the arc as time expired in the first half to put Lake Mead ahead 30-8.

The Eagles were able to rest their starters for almost the entire second half.

“That was a great run,” Newton said of his team’s 21-2 start. “We do that so often in our home. That’s what it’s all about playing at home. This is a tough gym to play in.”

Lake Mead moved into sole possession of first place in league. The Eagles don’t play another league game until next Friday at home against Lund.

Henderson International hosts Trinity at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

“I asked them to give me until midnight (Friday) to think about this right here,” Stephens said, “but this doesn’t end the season. We’ve got to keep going.

“We can’t let down from this. We’ve got to bounce back (Saturday).”