The first local high school winter sports game is in the books.

However, it’s probably a book first year Campbell High School boys basketball coach Justin Dibenedetto would rather not have to read again.

The host Cougars fell in their season opener to Pelham, 69-34 on Monday night. The Pythons jumped out to a 25-6 lead, were up 39-9 at the half and never looked back.

“Our team struggled in game one but it is a long season and we have a difficult schedule playing mostly D2 teams as a D3 team,” Dibenedetto said. “We started the second Half down 39-9 So in the second half the boys played even with them and got more comfortable as the game went on.”

Jake Dumont led Pelham with 17 points while Zach Jones and Jake McGlinchey each added 11. Dylan Rice was the lone Cougar in double figures with 10 points, while Colton Martel added seven.

Campbell is scheduled to be back in action on Thursday in a rematch with the Pythons, this time in Pelham.

“We feel as the season goes on we will grow and get better by playing these tougher opponents,” Dibenedetto said, “and (that) should have us prepared and battle tested for the playoffs.”

Tonight the Campbell girls basketball team is at Pelham at 6:30 and the Wilton-Lyndeborough boys hoop team is slated to host Conanat at 7.

The schedule continues Wednesday with two wrestling matches, Campbell at ConVal and Alvirne at Hollis Brookline.

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