BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys varsity basketball had an up-and-down start to the season, beating North Dorchester, 61-45, last week before falling to Bayside South rival Bennett, 54-44, on Monday.

With a strong cast of returning players and a handful of newcomers already making an impact, the season looks bright for the Seahawks. Jesse Engle returns in great shape after missing large chunks of last season with an injury and the Seahawks are also bringing back Josh King, Chase Sams, Shae Farmer, Cam Gaynor and Dimir Andrews.

Decatur also has Tyler Hunter, a transfer from Wicomico High who is already making a big impact. Football standout P.J. Copes is also an easy fit in the line-up, as is Randy DuPont, a transfer from New York. Against North Dorchester in the season opener, Hunter led the Seahawks with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Sams also pitched in a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while DuPont added 12 points.

Against Bennett on Monday, the Seahawks fell behind early and mounted a late comeback before falling short in the end. The Clippers led 10-7 after a low scoring first quarter and had built their lead to 26-17 by the half. Bennett continued to expand its margin in the third and led by 14 at one point at 36-23 before taking an 11-point lead into the third quarter.

Decatur started chipping away at the lead through the fourth quarter and had cut it to six points at 46-40 with just under four minutes to play. That was as close at the Seahawks would get, however, as the Clippers made their free throws down the stretch and pulled away for the 54-44 win. Hunter was a beast for the Seahawks again in the loss to Bennett, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for his second double-double in two games.