MENDON BASKETBALL OFF TO FIRST 4-0 START SINCE 2017.

The Hornets stand for the national anthem prior to Friday night’s game. Photo by Travis Long | TBM Team

The Mendon Hornets continued to show just how high their ceiling is early in the season, rolling to a convincing 71–36 victory over Bellevue on Friday night to improve to 4–0 for the first time since the 2017 season. Friday marked Mendon’s long-awaited home opener after beginning the year with three straight games on the road, and the Hornets made sure the home crowd had plenty to cheer about. From the opening tip, Mendon set the tone with aggressive defense, quick ball movement, and an up-tempo offensive attack that overwhelmed Bellevue almost immediately.

Carter Huston at the free-throw line Friday night. Photo by Travis Long | TBM Team

The Hornets jumped out to a fast start, applying constant pressure on both ends of the floor and turning defense into offense. Mendon consistently pushed the pace, found open looks, and attacked the basket with confidence. That approach paid off in a big way, as the Hornets built a commanding 47–18 lead by halftime, firmly establishing control of the game before the break. Offensively, Mendon once again leaned on senior Ryder Gorham, who delivered another standout performance with a game-high 31 points. Gorham has been on a scoring tear to open the season, now averaging 30 points per game through four contests, and continued to show his ability to score from all three levels while leading the Hornets with confidence.

Ryder Gorham looks toward head coach Matt Gorham during a teammate’s free throws. Photo by Travis Long | TBM Team

While Gorham led the way, Mendon’s success came from a complete team effort. Owen Gorham provided a strong secondary scoring punch with 15 points, consistently knocking down shots and helping maintain the offensive rhythm. Tristan Wood added 8 points, and Carter Huston chipped in 7, as every player who entered the game made an impact. The Hornets’ balanced scoring and unselfish play kept Bellevue on its heels throughout the night. The 4–0 start not only represents Mendon’s best opening stretch in nearly a decade, but it also underscores the strides the Hornets have made since last season’s slow start. With improved chemistry, consistent scoring, and a clear identity on both ends of the floor, Mendon has positioned itself well early in the league race.

Owen Gorham during the captains meeting. Photo by Travis Long | TBM Team

The Hornets will look to continue building on that momentum next Tuesday as they head back on the road to face Athens in another league matchup, with an opportunity to keep their unbeaten start intact and further separate themselves from last season’s early struggles.