FERRIDAY, La. &045; It’s one thing to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses.

Huntington head coach Cliff McCain can tell all about the latter. But the Hounds are strong in other areas, and that’s a key reason why they’re off to a 3-3 start this season after disposing of WCCA 55-24 Monday night.

The Hounds brought the defensive pressure early and had the game in control by halftime.

&uot;I believe in it &045; intensity and pressure on defense,&uot; McCain said. &uot;Defense is the key for us. We’re not a great offensive team. We’ve got to get points off turnovers. Intensity is the key for us. We’re not the most athletic team or the best offensive team. We’re having to play good team defense.&uot;

The Hounds were able to do that to the Rams, who never got into a rhythm on the offensive end and didn’t get many shots off in the first 12 minutes of the game when they trailed 21-1. The Hounds kept with full-court pressure and got a number of easy baskets off turnovers, and the Rams never got settled.

Rob Johnson hit a short jumper with 4:32 left in the second quarter for the Rams’ first field goal of the game.

&uot;We can’t dribble,&uot; WCCA head coach Ray Olive said. &uot;We can’t shoot. We can’t pass. We can’t block out or rebound. We’re not very good. That’s it. Until they decide to be basketball players, we’re in trouble this year.

&uot;I’m not taking anything away from Huntington. They’re a very good team, and they put pressure. They look like they play very good basketball together, which is something we do not do at all.&uot;

As the pressure created more havoc, the Hounds seldom set up in their half-court offense.

Mike Ferguson put one in off a feed from Stan Hazlip at the 5:30 mark in the second for a 19-1 lead, and Trey Corbett’s bucket followed for a 21-1 lead.

A free throw from William Johnson put WCCA’s deficit at 26-6, but the Hounds got six straight points for a 32-6 lead. Jacob Bonnette put in a layup after Hazlip came up with a steal for the second basket, and Ferguson’s basket finished it off with 43 seconds left in the half.

&uot;We’re not trying to steal the ball, and we’re not trying to trap,&uot; McCain said. &uot;We’re trying to make them work every trip down the floor. They like to compete, and I like to compete. Whatever we play in, I like to get after it. That’s what we’re doing.&uot;

The Hounds were able to get into the halfcourt and execute at times, including a 3-pointer from Hazlip just before the half to help them take a 35-10 lead at the break. That lead grew into 39-12 at the start of the third quarter when Ples Arthur put in a layup off a steal with 6:09 left.

&uot;We’ve had a couple of games where we haven’t shot well, but I’m proud of them,&uot; McCain said. &uot;Everybody plays their role. There’s not a lot of me out there, and that’s what you’ve got to have.&uot;

Arthur led Huntington with 13 points, while Ferguson had 12. Greg Garner led WCCA with eight.