A young McNeil basketball team didn’t get an up-close view of a good team Monday night; they saw an elite team. Plugerville, arguably the best team in the area and one of the better squads in the state, overwhelmed the Mavericks, 71-52.

The Panthers jumped out to a 27-11 lead before McNeil steadied itself and actually played somewhat better for the final three quarters.

“They’re really athletic and we just can’t stop that right now,” McNeil head coach Darrell Hagemann said. “They have the type of speed and athleticism that we just can’t simulate in practice. We’ll get better as we get more experience.”

Pflugerville (3-0) is deep, athletic and has a perimeter game that can hit shots from the outside or drive inside. McNeil (1-2) found that out quickly, as it was bombarded from the outside early. The Panthers hit six three-pointers in the opening seven minutes.

Demetrius Smith, one of the top players in the area, lived up to his billing by scoring 10 straight Pflugerville points to help build the large lead. His three from the baseline pushed the lead to 16 with 0:54 left in the first quarter.

Plugerville continued to pile it on in the second half. The lead ballooned to as much as 23 before McNeil scored the last two baskets to provide the final margin.

“Our guards got a little too deep at times and didn’t handle the pressure,” Hagemann said. “We have some good players there, but they just need more time on the court.”

The Mavericks played with more composure from there to keep the game respectable. They’re missing the bulk of their scoring from a year ago and must find out who will be the focal point of the offense.

One option could be senior post Kenny Lewis. He was very active on the boards and led McNeil with 12 points.

Smith led Pflugerville with 18 points and Jarrell Turner added 14 and Deon Mitchell had 12. The Panthers will take part in the Killeen High tournament this weekend.