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Queen Anne School boys' basketball coach David Montgomery was unsure what to expect from his team this season. Knowing the Lions would have a number of newcomers, Montgomery just hoped they could be competitive.

More than halfway through the season, Queen Anne is holding its own and is on pace to secure a Potomac Valley Athletic Conference playoff spot. On Friday, Queen Anne avenged its season-opening loss to PVAC rival Washington International School with a 51-42 victory in Upper Marlboro.

"I think we've been through the tough part of our season," said Montgomery, whose team improved to 10-9 on the season and 6-2 in the PVAC. "I was really impressed by our defense that we showed [Friday]. If we can commit ourselves to doing that well, then our schedule is favorable with more home games."

Senior Larry Haley led the way for Queen Anne with 24 points and seven rebounds on Friday, and the Lions also got 15 points from sophomore guard Lloyd Bramble, who hit three 3-pointers. Doug Spetalnick had a game-high 25 points for Washington International.

Montgomery said he knew if the season was going to be a success the team would have to count heavily on Haley, who averaged 17 points and seven rebounds per game last season. This season he's increased his scoring and rebounding, now averaging 19.4 points and nearly 11 rebounds.

"I think we started to get our rhythm when we went to the [National High School Coaches Association] tournament [in Salisbury, Md.] over the winter break," Haley said. "I hurt my ankle in that first game and didn't play the last two. But they kept on working. I think we need to keep working on keeping our intensity for the whole game."

"I think we need to keep our continuity on defense," said Lions' senior Dean Bolt. "Over the past few years, we've grown as team leaders and we're trying to make sure that we're doing all the little things."

After playing WIS for the second time, the Lions now have just seven games remaining in the season. At 6-2 in the PVAC, the Lions are tied with St. Anselm's in the loss column of the South Division standings. The top four teams from each division qualify for the postseason, and Montgomery said the team would have to experience a total collapse down the stretch not to make it to the playoffs.

Queen Anne 51, Washington International 42

Washington International (7-3, 7-3): Spetalnick 25, Blutinger 9, Hunter 5, Pierce 2, Gaillard 1. Totals 15 7-12 42.

Queen Anne (10-9, 6-2): Haley 24, Bramble 15, Battle 6, Bolt 4, Kershaw 2. Totals 18 9-15 51.

Halftime: Queen Anne, 22-15.