On a cold night in Mountlake Terrace, it didn’t take long for the Mountlake Terrace Hawks to heat up their gym as the boys basketball team used a sizzling first half scoring performance to win their 2014-15 season-opener 61-54 over the visiting Monroe Bearcats.

Mountlake Terrace led the Bearcats by as many as 13 points in the first 16 minutes on their way to a 37-27 advantage at halftime. Hawks Gabe Altenberger and Derek Anyimah had 17 and 14 points respectively at the half on their way to team-leading point totals of 23 and 17 for the game. Senior Ryan Lacasse also scored in double figures for the Hawks with 14 points.

Monroe was led in scoring by Alex Johnson and Rhen Shore, each with 15 points.

MTHS Boys Basketball vs. Monroe, Dec. 2

Monroe           11        16        10        17        —          54
Terrace           15        22        10        14        —          61

MTHS individual scoring: Gabe Altenberger 23; Derek Anyimah 17; Ryan Lacasse 14; Daniel Johnson 2; Shimron Masih 2; Gabe Pouter 2; Adam Lorraine 1; Justin Hopkins

Monroe individual scoring: Alex Johnson 15; Rhen Shore 15; Adam Chatrand 7; Tristian Witham 6; Alex Spahman 4; Colby Kyle 3; Devin Sepich 2; John Montero 2; Isiah Cole; Tyler Coontz; Trenton Newhouse; Braymer Shevey

Records: Mountlake Terrace 1-0; Monroe 0-1

MTHS next game: vs. Maryville-Pilchuck, Friday, Dec. 5, 7:15 p.m. at Mountlake Terrace High School