East Union High came out with the hot-hand from long distance at Weston Ranch on Wednesday.
Try five 3s led by former Cougar Lydell King, who sizzled by hitting three of those from beyond the arc.
Weston Ranch made the necessary adjustments soon after and rolled to a 79-59 Valley Oak League win.
"We have some excellent defenders on this team," said Cougars coach Chris Teevan.
Included is junior forward Keyon Forbes, who wasn't surprised about the Lancers' style of play from 3-point range.
"We were expecting that," he said.
As for the adjustments?
"We decided to close out from further out with a high two-three (zone defense)," said Keyon, who has suddenly found himself in Teevan's rotation thanks to his hard work, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Weston Ranch (2-0 VOL, 6-9 overall) was especially tough in the second and third quarters. At one point in the second, the Cougars yielded a single field goal to East Union (1-2 VOL, 10-9) while stringing together a 16-4 run.
Favor Pitts, Titus Haley and Mi'Son Coilton chipped in with 3s and Donjae' Lindsey, Gavin Wilburn and Jordahn Johnson got their points by attacking the baskets.
And just like that, the Cougars turned a 23-19 deficit into a 42-29 halftime advantage.
James Ward, meanwhile, was pleased with his team's start.
"We got some open shots and broke the press," said the Lancers coach.
During that first quarter run, King scored nine of his team-high 19 points. Parmbir Khattra hit a pair of 3s and closed out the period with a shot at the buzzer. He finished with 19 points.
Christian Cuevas, who netted 11, hit for two early in the second. East Union was held without a shot from the field after that. Eric Victoria's basket at the 5:56 mark of the third broke the dry spell.
"They tightened up their press," said Ward of the Cougars' defense.
Wilburn responded by driving the lane and scoring on a two-handed dunk — he drew a technical by hanging onto the rim, with Cuevas sinking one of the two free throws.
Weston Ranch had a 20-point cushion by then following Coilton's 3. Lindsey, who had a game-high 24 points, also hit from distance, giving his team a huge 62-39 advantage.
Coilton put together a strong overall effort with 14 points, eight rebounds and three steals.
Wilburn chipped with 15 points, two blocks and two steals.
Johnson had five boards including three on the offensive glass to go with his six points, three blocks and a steal.