Many times in practice, teams run a drill in which every player must touch the ball before a shot is taken. It doesn’t always translate into game play.

It did for the Central High School boys basketball team, which consistently made the extra pass and shot past visiting Winnacunnet High School, 71-44, on Friday, Jan. 4.

It appeared as though the Little Green would take a slight lead heading into the locker room; Central led 26-20 with less than 30 seconds remaining until halftime.

But guard Will Bayliss dropped in a three-pointer and came up with a steal before feeding Michael Stys with a pass for an open layup. In the blink of an eye, the Little Green had a double-digit lead.

“I thought that was big, but it didn’t make us any more pleased heading into the locker room,” said Central head coach Dave Wheeler, impressed with point guard Bayliss, who had 10 assists to go with his 12 points. “Will simply defines excellence in his preparation and passion for the game.”

Central used its momentum heading into the second half, consistently passing the ball around the Warrior zone defense until it found the open shot – something the Little Green did throughout the quarter.

Matthew Shaughnessy hit three of his team’s seven third-quarter three pointers, and the Little Green extended the lead to 24, outscoring the Warriors 28-15 in the period.

According to Wheeler, the team’s unselfish play in the second half was by design.

“We talked at the half about not shooting too quick,” said Wheeler. “We shot it too quick in the first half, and we needed to make an extra pass or two. When we started doing that, those looks were wide open.”

Stys scored 21 points and hauled in 10 rebounds to lead the offensive attack for the Little Green, who rested most of their starters in the fourth quarter.

Still, Wheeler said there was room for improvement. “They won the physical battle, which we usually win. They chucked us around in the first half, although we did a little bit better of a job in the second half. We need to work on our physical play and our box outs, we can’t win like that.”

What was most helpful for Central, which improved to 3- 0, was making the extra pass. “You have to take what the defense gives you, and they were showing the two-three zone,” said Wheeler.

“We have smaller guys who are skilled, and so when you make that extra pass it gives you space, and that’s significant. It makes our guys look a little taller.”