It's easy to get wrapped up in one convincing victory, like Career did Friday night against Wilbur Cross 70-43. The Panthers flexed their collective muscle in the second half to put away their SCC Oronoque Division rival.

But Career has scored over 70 points in four straight games and have won nine straight overall to rise to No. 7 in the state. It leads me to two observations:

Career is clearly the best team in the SCC Oronoque
Career is the most talented and deepest team in the SCC.
You have holdovers Earl Hassell, Kenny Armstead and Treyvon Moore from last year's run to the SCC and Class M tournaments. Throw in Cory Bidon, Amod Ford and Greg Johnson and you have depth at the guard position. Anything freshman Justice Phifer gives Career inside is a bonus right now - but he could be a big factor down the stretch.

Coach Larry Kelley pushes the players to get their best game in and game out because being a former schoolboy star himself, he knows what it takes. And he knows you don't get any medals for second place.

That's why Career is not the best team yet. To be the best, you have to beat the best. And we won't know that until Feb. 20 at the earliest, more likely March. Career gets another crack at Hillhouse, which beat the Panthers in the SCC tournament final last year and this year's season opener, in the regular-season finale.

Career won both regular-season meetings last season, so the team knows what it takes to beat Hillhouse. But as plenty of people will tell you in the Elm City, it's all about championships.
And whether Career can be there in the end in the SCC and Class L finals with the trophy remains to be seen.