Oftentimes, a team struggling to win games simply doesn’t grasp how to play with a lead. Such has been the case for the Pinelands Regional boys basketball team this year.

“We’ve lost six games by seven points or less,” coach Fred Johnson said after his Wildcats captured their third victory of the season with a 55-52, double-overtime decision against Brick on Jan. 26. “We’ve struggled with protecting a lead and closing out games.