The DeSales boys basketball team ran its record to 10-3 (4-0 Central Catholic League) with a 56-52 home win over St. Charles Friday.

Senior Elijah Allen led the way with 16 points.

Senior Alex Kellogg and freshman Nick Kellogg each scored 10 points, as did senior Brandon Garrick.

The Stallions led by nine at the half but were outscored by eight in the third quarter, keeping the game close.

"It was a tough game," Allen said. "We pulled through toward the end. In the CCL every team is going to play their best game against us. It's just up to us and we have to decide to play good defense."

Despite being a home game, the Cardinals brought a rowdy following, rowdy enough to break the visitors bleachers from all the stomping that took place.

"I noticed that after the game," Allen said. "I love (the intensity) of our games, especially during the league. You have all the fans back behind and you're going out there and playing for them. You really notice (the opposing fans) a lot more in the smaller gyms."

Coach Blair Albright and his players are quick to point out that this year's team is different from last season's that went to the Division II state final four.

While distancing from last year's squad is probably a good thing in some respects, building on what that team did is important to DeSales, too.

"I think we're doing OK, but we have a lot of things to catch up on before the tournament comes," Allen said. "We're working every day in practice to get ready for the tournament. We're not settling for anything.

"It's almost like we started over, but we didn't. We wanted to pick up where we were (at the end of last season) and improve on things we weren't doing last year."

DeSales was scheduled to travel to Rosecrans Tuesday and hosts Ready Friday (8 p.m.).

A big game on the horizon is a Jan. 30 rematch with Worthington Christian on the road.

The Warriors defeated the Stallions 86-80 in overtime at DeSales Dec. 15.

Said Allen: "It's a tough game, but I think we have something to prove, with them winning earlier."

Allen led the way in the first game with 22 points. Nick Kellogg scored 20 and Alex Kellogg added 16.

Splitting up the scoring among the top three or four guys has not been a problem this year.

Allen is averaging just under 20 points a contest, while Alex Kellogg scores 17.5 a game.

"I just want to do what's best for the team and if the opportunity comes to score I want to help," Allen said. "We really know how each of us plays together, even more than last year. We're just trying to play together."