TERRA CEIA — Terra Ceia’s Quentin Van Essendelft crosses half court, draws two opposing defenders and fires a backdoor pass to forward Tyler Hendrix for an easy bucket. Business as usual.

What may look like a sixth sense from the sophomore point guard is actually the product of years of chemistry building and obedience to a system from the Knights’ starting five.

On Wednesday in a 57-43 win over rival Pungo, Terra Ceia did not veer from the high-octane transition offense and seamless pressure zone defense that’s been the key to the team’s success over the last three months.

“We had to fight all night for it, but the kids hung in tough,” said head coach Roger Klaassen. “Right now, it’s about will and desire to finish what we started. We’ve got our focus on the finish line and that’s where we’re headed.”

The game began like most do — the Terra Ceia backcourt moving the ball around the perimeter, working it inside and kicking out to the open shooter when needed. Van Essendelft notched three assists to go along with two three-pointers in the first quarter, as Hendrix used his size to corral rebounds and earn second-chance scoring opportunities in the paint.

After outscoring Pungo, 15-7, through the first eight minutes, the Knights continued to pressure the ball on the perimeter in the second quarter, taking the three-point shot out of the Raiders’ repertoire and forcing the bigs to challenge Hendrix and forward Chase Furlough down low.

Pungo’s Logan VanStaalduinen and Kellum Cahoon had their fair share of good looks, but it wasn’t enough to match the Knights’ offense. Terra Ceia led by a commanding 15 points at the half.

Along with our forwards, (our guards) pound the boards, Klaassen said. “We’ve been looking more to work the ball inside offensively and you can see they’re looking for the short corner pass, dishing it back into the middle. We’re trying to get an all-around game.”

Following a slow start, Pungo came out of the break energized, as guards Will Respess and Landon Woolard finally began to find a rhythm from mid-range. The Raiders’ outscored Terra Ceia, 14-11, in the third quarter and narrowed the lead to 12 heading into the final eight minutes.

But in the end, efficient ball movement in the interior from Van Essendelft, Hendrix and Furlough was too much for the Pungo bigs to handle.

Hendrix finished with a game-high 21 points and 15 rebounds, while Van Essendelft following with 17 points and six assists.

For Pungo, Respess led his team with 17 points and VanStaalduinen notched 13.

With the win, Terra Ceia improves to 17-2 and moves into a first place tie with Lawrence in the Tarheel Independent Conference. The Knights have the opportunity to take sole possession of first place on Friday when they host the Warriors.

“It’s going to be another battle,” Klaassen said. “We need to defend and play our game. I thought a few times tonight we didn’t show patience. Against Lawrence, we have to do a better job of that. We need to work the basketball and look for that opportunity in the defense.”

Pungo drops to 6-8 (4-3 TIC) and will host Northeast on Friday.