Prior to this season, Juneau-Douglas High School senior guard Kasey Watts hadn’t played a minute of organized basketball since eighth grade. The court rust apparently never took hold as the hockey transplant has been a key component in the Crimson Bears’ early-season successes.

Watts put up his biggest point total of the season (20 points) Thursday as JDHS took Eielson down 60-54 in the first game of an eight-game road schedule.

The baseball player led with a game-high 20 points Thursday in JDHS’ first game at the Joe T. Classic tournament in Fairbanks. Watts was perfect from the field and the free throw line, going 7 for 7 on six field goals and a 3-pointer and topping that off with a 5-for-5 performance from the line.

JDHS big men Bryce Swofford (16 points, 67 percent shooting) and Erik Kelly (13 points, 75 percent) followed Watts’ lead in the scoring column.

The Crimson Bears play Soldotna Friday night and Lathrop Saturday. All Joe T. Classic games can be streamed at http://www.hhsstreamteam.com/.

• Contact Sports and Outdoors reporter Kevin Gullufsen at 523-2228 or kevin.gullufsen@juneauempire.com.