The beginning of the game proved to be the end for Aberdeen last night.
Bullis used a swarming full-court press and trap to force several quick turnovers and score 24 points in the first five minutes, and the Bulldogs used 16 points from Dave Clark to help defeat Aberdeen, 70-53, in the championship game of the Westminster Holiday Classic at Westminster High School.
No. 12 Milford Mill (4-2) had little trouble in the consolation game, rolling to an 81-40 victory over Westminster (0-7).
Blanchard Hurd led the way once more for Milford Mill, scoring 32 points with 10 rebounds.
Bullis (10-1) caused Aberdeen (3-3) trouble almost immediately. The Bulldogs, ranked 19th by The Washington Post, came out in a full-court press that the Eagles simply could not solve.
The Bulldogs repeatedly trapped Aberdeen players against thsidelines and in the corners. They also forced loose balls and came up with several easy baskets.
Bullis used a 20-4 run to take a 24-8 lead with 3:11 left in the first quarter. Sparked by Clark, Brad Kosatka and Richard Armstead, the Bulldogs kept their offense going.
"We get a lot out of our press," said Bullis coach Mike Hibbs. "We got excited about it, and when we play like that, we're a very tough team."
Aberdeen handled the pressure and the traps better as the game went on. In fact, when Bullis went to it heavily in the third quarter, Aberdeen and guards Tommy Davis and Larry Lowe broke the pressure several times for good shots.
But the fast start from Bullis proved to be too much.
"They just scored too many points too quickly," said Aberdeen coach Ron Petry. "It was a very effective press early."
Davis said the Eagles handled it well at times, but weren't doing some basic things to break the press.
"Our problem was passing," said Davis. "People needed to step up and come to the ball."
Bullis also helped itself with strong rebounding, led by Kosatka (12 points, 10 rebounds). The Bulldogs repeatedly found second and third shots and controlled play in the paint.
The Bulldogs took a 26-13 lead after one and a 42-24 margin at halftime.
Davis ran the offense well for Aberdeen, which cut the lead to 12 early in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs then scored the next eight points and held Aberdeen scoreless for over four minutes to take control again.
Aberdeen missed five shots from the field and three free throws as Bullis pulled away.
"Once we got to within 12, we kind of stalled," said Petry. "We couldn't get over the hump."