Three games into the season, Upper Perkiomen's boys basketball team is discovering its abilities and learning how to play together, according to head coach

Brett Miller drives for a layup during Upper Perkiomen's Pioneer Athletic Conference opener of Tuesday.

Jared Krupp.  He remained upbeat despite his team's 60-36 loss to Pope John Paul II in the Pioneer Athletic Conference opener. 

            "We're moving in the right direction," Krupp said. "Our guys are getting varsity experience. It's still real early. We have plenty of time to get better."

            Seniors Brody Case and Macauley Swenk each scored a team-high nine points for the Indians (0-1 PAC, 0-3 overall), who managed just 11 points in the second half.

            "This is a young team," Case said. "It's going to take a little time for us to come together. Once we do, we'll be fine."

            The visiting Panthers, who finished with seven 3-point goals, scored 30 points in the second half. Tyrese Malachi, Drew McKeon and Justin Green each posted a game-high 11 points.

            Down 13-12 early in the second quarter, Pope John Paul II mounted a 13-2 run to take command of the game. Sean Bustynowicz hit a 3-pointer to spark the flurry. Two free throws by Green put the team ahead 25-15 with 4:13 left in the second quarter. The team converted four 3-point shots in the second and led 30-23 at halftime.

            "Pope John Paul II really picked up its game in the second quarter," Krupp said. "When a team shoots like that, it is hard to beat."

            Upper Perkiomen scored eight points in the third quarter and trailed 42-31 at the start of the fourth quarter. According to the coach, he is waiting for a scorer to emerge. 

"We moved the ball very well," Krupp said. "One of our biggest issues is generate offense. Once that happens, we will be fine. We'll have to see who steps up."

            Early on, Swenk and Case gave the Indians an early offense boost. Swenk scored five of their initial seven points, and Case added four points in the first quarter on two shots in the lane.

Krupp described Case, who finished with a team-high 10 rebounds and two blocks, as a high-energy player. "Brody goes 100 miles per hour all the time in whatever role we need," the coach said. "He loves to battle on the low post."

            According to Case, Upper Perkiomen won't need to rely on one or two players to generate most of the offense. However, he conceded the need to shoot more in the lane.

"This group is team oriented," Case said. "Everyone is going to score."

            The Indians opened their season with a pair of losses at the Upper Moreland Tournament over the weekend.

            Case scored a team-high seven points in a 48-30 loss to Upper Moreland on Dec. 7.  Drew Kupchak and Macauley Swenk each scored six.

            The following day, the team fell 48-45 to Upper Merion in the consolation game. Jake Plessi and Swenk each scored a team-high 11 points for the Indians, who led 38-33 after three quarters. 

            Krupp said his team has a good chance to win two of its next three games against Brandywine Heights (on the road Thursday), in a rematch with the Vikings (at home Friday) and at Pottsgrove on Tuesday.