No. 15 Long Reach wasted no time showing off the county's most prolific scoring combination against River Hill yesterday.

Lightning point guard Mike Smelkinson scored the game's first basket on a fast-break layup off an assist from Jared Bradford.

Throughout the game, they teamed up as Bradford finished with 24 points and Smelkinson with 22 points in an 83-62 victory over the visiting Hawks.

Smelkinson is averaging 20 points and Bradford 19 points through five games for the unbeaten Lightning (5-0 overall, 3-0 league). It was the first loss for River Hill (3-1, 2-1).

Each player also had five assists and Bradford added six rebounds.

"We came out real strong, and I was surprised by River Hill's lack of intensity," Bradford said.

River Hill coach Brian Van Deusen echoed Bradford's thoughts. "We got out-hustled, we shot poorly and our defense let us down," he said. "But my biggest disappointment was the lack of focus and intensity."

The Lightning jumped out to a 9-1 lead and held an 18-8 advantage after one quarter. Long Reach built its lead to 28-15 before the Hawks went on an 8-1 run late in the second quarter to cut the lead to 33-27.

That's as close as they got. Long Reach scored the next seven points and gradually pulled away in the second half as River Hill's frontcourt got into foul trouble and the Hawks were unable to stop Long Reach's inside game.

Four River Hill players, including starting center Matt Glover, starting forward Brent Terry and starting point guard Richie Jackson, eventually fouled out.

"They have great athletes who created turnovers," Van Deusen said. "They're the best team I've seen in the county and I've seen most of them."

When the Hawks sent Long Reach to the foul line in the fourth quarter, the Lightning responded by sinking 20 of 28 free throws. For the game, Long Reach was 33-for-47 at the line.

Smelkinson was especially effective at the line in the fourth quarter, sinking nine of 10 and 10-for-12 overall. Bradford was 10-for-14 at the line overall.

Erick Smith also shined for Long Reach with 10 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Joey Taylor scored seven points and had seven rebounds.

"This was the hardest we've played all season," said Lightning coach Al Moraz. "We've been starting slowly most of the season, but not tonight. We had four quarters of intensity."

Long Reach received a boost from a pair of 6-foot-5 players, Zack Hines and Brian Chestnut. Both were injured in the first game and had not returned until yesterday. Hines had a concussion and Chestnut sprained an ankle against Pallotti.