New London - Dan Spellman was almost apologetic, perhaps expecting this game between two 10-1 teams would have provided at least a hint of drama for about 1,000 fans inside Conway Gym on Friday night.But then, drama would require somewhat similar levels of talent and execution between the teams.

But then, drama would require somewhat similar levels of talent and execution between the teams."There's just so much separation right now between New London and everybody else in the league," Spellman said, after the Whalers throttled East Lyme, 90-58. "Their speed, their relentlessness on defense. And they are very hard to prepare for."

"There's just so much separation right now between New London and everybody else in the league," Spellman said, after the Whalers throttled East Lyme, 90-58. "Their speed, their relentlessness on defense. And they are very hard to prepare for."Spellman used eight players in practice to simulate New London's quickness. He needed a few more.

Spellman used eight players in practice to simulate New London's quickness. He needed a few more.Torin Childs-Harris and Johnson Benjamin scored 22 points apiece and the Whalers, who scored six quick points to begin the game, were never threatened.

Torin Childs-Harris and Johnson Benjamin scored 22 points apiece and the Whalers, who scored six quick points to begin the game, were never threatened.That didn't stop New London coach Craig Parker, however, from cautioning against giving the Whalers any trophies in late January.

That didn't stop New London coach Craig Parker, however, from cautioning against giving the Whalers any trophies in late January."Dan could be exaggerating," Parker said. "I don't know if the void is that wide. East Lyme is certainly a fine team. We'll probably have to play them again down the road in the ECC Tournament or the state tournament. We've had close games (in the ECC) this season, with Windham, etc. We always stress to our kids the need to play hard and respect our opponents."

"Dan could be exaggerating," Parker said. "I don't know if the void is that wide. East Lyme is certainly a fine team. We'll probably have to play them again down the road in the ECC Tournament or the state tournament. We've had close games (in the ECC) this season, with Windham, etc. We always stress to our kids the need to play hard and respect our opponents."Childs-Harris added nine rebounds, while Jaquan Morton had 13 points and seven steals and Kris Dunn had seven points and six steals. Benjamin has scored at least 20 points this season against Stratford, East Hartford and East Lyme, three schools with at least 10 wins to date.

Childs-Harris added nine rebounds, while Jaquan Morton had 13 points and seven steals and Kris Dunn had seven points and six steals. Benjamin has scored at least 20 points this season against Stratford, East Hartford and East Lyme, three schools with at least 10 wins to date."For the most part, he's played well," Parker said. "He's definitely an outside threat, which is good to have. And (on defense) we put him on the other teams' better offensive players."

"For the most part, he's played well," Parker said. "He's definitely an outside threat, which is good to have. And (on defense) we put him on the other teams' better offensive players." Whether East Lyme - or anybody else - can make up enough ground to challenge New London in the ECC is a legitimate question. But there is time.

Whether East Lyme - or anybody else - can make up enough ground to challenge New London in the ECC is a legitimate question. But there is time."New London is very good," Spellman said. "But the good thing is that it's still January. We weren't going to win or lose anything tonight."

"New London is very good," Spellman said. "But the good thing is that it's still January. We weren't going to win or lose anything tonight."Parker, who measures his teams by whether they win state titles, left the gym happy with his 11-1 record.

Parker, who measures his teams by whether they win state titles, left the gym happy with his 11-1 record."We just beat a 10-1 team," he said. "This was a nice midseason matchup for the area. You anticipate games like this."

"We just beat a 10-1 team," he said. "This was a nice midseason matchup for the area. You anticipate games like this."m.dimauro@theday.com

m.dimauro@theday.com