MONTICELLO – If the girls’ game was grit and grind, the boys matchup showcased why Rockland entered the night at 13–3.

The Wolves defeated Sullivan West 61–41, using speed, defensive pressure, and fluid ball movement to pull away.

Ben Johnston led all scorers with 25 points, continuing to impress with his versatile skill set. He drained three shots from deep, added eight field goals, and electrified the crowd in the fourth quarter with a steal that led to a fast-break finish — nearly a dunk — showcasing remarkable vertical ability for the 5-foot-9 guard.

Rockland’s chemistry was evident. Crisp passing and disciplined defense created turnovers that quickly turned into transition buckets. Kaleb Maldonado added 10 points, including a three-pointer, contributing to a balanced offensive attack.

The Bulldogs leaned into their physical style of play — fitting for a roster that features several football standouts — but promising stretches were undone by costly turnovers. Rockland’s aggressive defense and quick-paced guard play proved overwhelming. Not a single Bulldog reached double figures, stalling any sustained offensive momentum.

Wolves Head Coach Hicks credited his team’s defensive discipline and pace.

“I think we played well. Our defense calmed down,” he said. “We’re undersized, but we play hard defense, and we play fast. I thought we did that well today. Our transition game helped us, got us a couple of buckets, and extended the lead. They fought hard — cut our lead down to one or two at the half — but I’m just happy for the win.”

Speaking about Johnston, he added, “He’s very talented. He can do a lot of things.”

Bulldogs Head Coach Ronj Padu pointed to ball security as the deciding factor.

“A little too many turnovers, not enough rebounding,” Padu said. “At halftime, I was talking more about positioning, taking care of the ball, which we didn’t really do in the third quarter. After the game, I told them they have to value the ball on each possession.”

The Bulldogs fall to 3–15 on the season and are already building toward next year. Meanwhile, the Wolves at 14-3 look poised for a sectional push with three regular-season games remaining.