Pioneer's Jeremiah Strode drives past Holt's Tony Alvarez during the fourth quarter of Pioneer's 60-44 win. Strode scored a game-high 15 points.

Angela J. Cesere | AnnArbor.com

In Tuesday night's season-opening win over Tecumseh, the Pioneer High School basketball team didn't play well on defense until the second half.

There was no such problem for the Pioneers Friday night against Holt.

Pioneer held Holt to 31 percent (15 of 49) shooting in a 60-44 home win.

"Our defensive intensity was the key to the whole game," said Pioneer coach Rex Stanczak. The steady defense, said Stanczak, sustains his team during offensive slumps.

"Every game you play you have a period of offensive kickball," he said. "The reason you have to be an offensive team first is because your defense gets you through kickball."

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