The Cranston East boys basketball team jumped out to a slow start coming off the holiday break last week, dropping games to Narragansett then East Providence to fall to 2-4 this season.

The Mariners edged East 60-52. Naz Milien stayed hot this winter with 16 points to lead the Bolts while Delwin Montan added 13 and Adrian Nunez seven. Milien sank three 3-pointers in the loss.

East would then turn around to take on the Townies on the road last Thursday and fell 84-50. Montan and Sean Pena led the way with 10 points each while Da’Qwon Foster added eight.

East has fallen behind early in recent games, which has put it in tough holes to dig out of according the coach Isaiah McDaniel.

“We’ve been starting slow, have been in some foul trouble, have not been shooting particularly well. That’s all contributing to us not having good games so there are definitely things that we need to fix. We need to get back to playing our style of basketball. Rebounding, fast breaking and getting out to the open court and hitting the easy buckets,” said McDaniel.

Despite the losses, the Bolts have been getting contributions throughout their roster.

“We definitely spread the ball which helps us get out to the run and in transition. The guys have been sharing the ball in the open court and have been trying to get each other open layups, open shots. We have a lot of guys that can score, but are we sharing the ball enough is the question,” said McDaniel.

With big time matchups against La Salle and Central on tap this week, McDaniel is looking for his team to play tighter on defense and better team basketball late in games.

“Playing great defense, holding teams to one shot, rebounding the basketball, just staying composed and together down the stretch in games. I think it’s good to have these games against (the top tier teams) early on, hopefully those games against those tougher opponents help you on the back half,” said McDaniel. “You try not to put anything different on those games, you just try to go out there and play the best basketball that you can. Those are two great teams, it’s going to be a challenge. Those are not games that you can just step on the court and expect to just play and win.”