When Porters Chapel’s boys’ basketball team made an unlikely run to the Academy-A state tournament last season, it seemed like an anomaly, a rare bright moment for a program that’s had few of them over the years.

As it turns out, it might just have been the start of a bright era.

Porters Chapel cruised to an easy 53-36 win over Mt. Salus on Thursday night, running its record this season to a perfect 6-0. PCA dominated inside, shot well from the outside, and got a balanced effort across the board.

Hayden Hales led the way with 19 points, but four of the five starters scored at least six points. Nine different players grabbed at least two rebounds for PCA (5-0 District 4-A), which crushed Mt. Salus 29-12 on the boards.

&#8220I don’t think anybody expected us to be playing the style of basketball we’re playing, the physical style we’re bringing every night,” PCA coach Jim DeLaughter said. &#8220We do a lot of the things we didn’t normally do last year. I think everybody is kind of surprised.”

One of the biggest reasons for PCA’s early success has been the play of Hales. He’s averaging about 20 points per game, dominating around the basket and showing some range as well.

Hales had a team-high six rebounds against Mt. Salus (3-10, 2-2), and also went 2-for-4 from 3-point range. He was 8-for-12 overall from the field.

&#8220Hayden’s worked really hard to move within the scope of the offense,” DeLaughter said. &#8220We’re not running plays so much as we are sets, where the guys get in a position on the floor and find shots. Hayden is a guy who likes to create his own shot, and he’s good at it. And he’s not afraid to back the ball out or kick it out to Cole (Smith) or Michael (Johnson).”

Indeed, Smith and Johnson are also proving to be potent weapons. Smith had six points on Thursday, while Johnson scored 10. They combined to hit three of PCA’s six 3-pointers in the first half, when the Eagles opened a 35-16 lead by the break. PCA was 6-for-8 from beyond the arc in the first two periods.

Mt. Salus made a charge against PCA’s reserves in the second half, but never got closer than nine points despite a 13-2 run late in the third quarter. Chris Govero led Mt. Salus with 28 points.

&#8220We haven’t had very many games where we just didn’t shoot well at all,” said PCApoint guard Blake Purvis, who scored just three points on Thursday but had four steals and two assists.

Despite their early success, the Eagles know the toughest tests are still ahead – and one is coming soon. After hosting Sharkey-Issaquena today, PCA visits state power CM&I on Monday.

&#8220We have CM&I on Monday, and we’ll really see where we are,” Purvis said. &#8220Monday is our first big test.”

(G) Mt. Salus 68, PCA 40

Mary Kathryn Govero single-handedly destroyed Porters Chapel and barely seemed to break a sweat while doing it. Govero had a triple-double with 49 points, 10 rebounds and 10 steals in the rout.

PCA hung around for most of the first half, until Govero buried a 3-pointer at the second quarter buzzer to give Mt. Salus (12-5, 5-1) a 30-18 lead. It opened the third quarter with a 12-4 run and was never threatened again.

Govero’s big game overshadowed an impressive performance by PCA’s Lauren Johnson. The senior forward had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and went 18-for-24 from the free throw line.