Entering the 2015-2016 basketball season, the Bison varsity basketball team faced high expectations.

PrepHoops Ohio predicted the Bison to take the Ohio Divsion III crown.

Around Beachwood, many were buzzing with state championship talk. Two games into the season, it appears that the title conversation was warranted.

The boys began their much anticipated season on Nov. 28th against arch rival Orange.

The Bison dominated the first half, entering the locker room at halftime ahead 41-23. The game looked as if it was going to be a runaway win for the Bison.

However, the boys only outscored the Lions by two points in the second half. Nonetheless, Beachwood won handedly by a final score of 62-42.

Senior Maishe Dailey led the way for the Bison with 23 points.

Beachwood’s second half slump prompted senior shooting guard Jalen Davis to comment on the team’s room for improvement.

“We could improve by playing a full four quarters and not letting up on a team when we are ahead to avoid a big run for our opponents,” he said.

In the next  match against Cornerstone Christian, the Bison appeared strong once again coming out of the gates.

The boys managed 20 points in the 1st quarter, and then broke the game open by outscoring the Patriots 25-12 in the second quarter. By halftime, the Bison built a strong 45-29 lead. Much like the Orange game, the second half was a different story.

Cornerstone would not let up, and actually outscored Beachwood in the second half. The huge second quarter from the boys allowed them to hold onto a 70-56 victory.

Cornerstone’s preseason Division IV All-Ohio selection, Michael Bothwell, led all scorers with 20 points. However, four Bison were able to finish in double figures, and the team effort created vital separation in the game.

Davis believes if the team can do better closing out games, they will be unbeatable.

“We won’t see a team that will be physically superior to us, so if we play a full game we should have no problem winning it all,” he said.

With that being said, the Bison have still shown flashes of greatness in the first stretch of the season. The fact that Beachwood has been able to win by wide margins in spite of poor second half performances is telling of the team’s ability.

A core of experienced seniors have established the Beachwood squad as a formidable contender in Ohio across all divisions. However, senior power forward Tyrone Gibson believes one younger player could also make a difference.

“I believe Junior Ben Sternberg could step and make an impact,” Gibson said.

Davis agreed.

“I could see Ben Sternberg giving us a big spark because of his shooting ability,” he said.

Beachwood’s second unit talent may be overlooked by opponents. With sharpshooters such as Sternberg and senior Shawn May, the Bison possess the skill to separate themselves from the opposition in a hurry.

With so much talent and a strong start to the season, the team has welcomed an increase in fan interest from the community.

“[The fans] greatly impact the team,” Gibson explained. “Everyone looks forward to the big crowds cheering us on.”

The Bison expect a large showing from their supporters at Chagrin Falls this Thursday, Dec. 8th at 7:30 PM for the second CVC contest on the year.

Cleveland.com currently ranks Beachwood as the highest Divison III team in the city, sitting at #7 overall.

Looking ahead, the boys may potentially have a date with the #1 team in Cleveland, the Division I Garfield Heights Bulldogs, in the last regular season game.

Even though the potential contest is far off, both Davis and Gibson said it is the game they were most looking forward to.

“I am most excited to play Garfield because they are the top ranked team in our area and I believe we could beat them,” Davis said.

Regardless of how the rankings stand by the end of the season, the Bison and Bulldog match-up promises to incredible.