PINETOWN — Head coach Jon Scharpenberg took over the reins to the Pam Pack girls’ basketball team last month and the team hasn’t looked back. Washington picked up its fifth win of the season Thursday night over Southside, 60-28, marking the best start in over a decade.

“I’m blessed with a lot of help. It’s been a great start for me in Washington, I’m not going to lie to you, but I think more importantly is sticking to our goal to get better every day and they’re really buying into that,” Scharpenberg said.

Conversely, a guard-heavy Southside has yet to find cohesion in its first five games, posting a 0-5 record spurred by a lack in depth at the power forward and center positions.

The Pam Pack and its high-octane offense jumped out to a commanding lead in the first quarter, as seniors Abby Walker and Ruby Perez capitalized in the paint. Walker challenged the Southside bigs and picked up a quick eight points, while Perez dominated the boards and came through with second-chance buckets. Washington outscored Southside 21-3 through the first eight minutes, giving the team a large enough lead to coast through the remaining three quarters. But Scharpenberg saw the game as a great opportunity to refine his new system.

“We’re trying to get them to buy into a certain way to play the game,” he said. “We have to still execute and against a team that may not be as quick or as fast, this gives us a chance to really find tune some of those points. We still have to clean up some things that just drive me nuts.”

Southside began to find its rhythm in the second quarter. Senior April Olds put the team on her back, limited mistakes and finished at short range, although she went 0-for-4 from the charity stripe. Despite the comeback, Washington took a 33-13 lead into the break.

In the third quarter, Walker and the Pam Pack posted 15 points and prevented the Seahawks from finding the bottom of the net entirely, putting the game virtually out of reach.

As the starters rested in the fourth quarter, junior Timia Ebron took over the offense and Perez continued to produce, hitting a three before she was eventually pulled with five minutes to go.

“Ruby tonight had her career high. I thought the kids did a great job of recognizing that Ruby is a big part of the team. I’m really happy for her and for our kids,” Scharpenberg said.

Perez finished with a double-double — 10 points and 10 rebounds. Walker recorded 16 points and seven rebounds through three quarters. Olds notched eight points, seven rebounds and four steals in a losing effort.

Washington will face the winner of Northside and Currituck County on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Southside will take on the losing of that matchup in the consolation game of the Northside Holiday Tournament at 2 p.m.