Undefeated and alone on top of the Northwest Suburban Conference heading into this week, the Robbinsdale Armstrong boys basketball team knows great athletic ability and natural talent can take it far, but attention to detail and playing as a team are the keys to a deep run into the playoffs.

Coach Greg Miller has a three-headed monster at the top of his starting lineup. Marquel Curtis leads the team by averaging more than 24 points a game. The four-year varsity player stands only 6-2, but over the next few games he is slated to break the school scoring and rebounding record.

Curtis is flanked by K.J. Bluford and Levi Abercrombie, who both average more than 17 points. Bluford is a returning all-conference selection who shoots 40 percent from three-point range, but can block shots as well. Abercrombie is seeing significant varsity action for the first time, but is making the most of it. With all of that scoring, Miller said depth and versatility have been the keys so far.

"I like to go small, but we can play big as well," Miller said. "We can play man or zone, whatever we need to do."

Miller also said his players are starting to understand what happens when they don't settle for jump shots.

"Levi and Marquel have really taken it to heart," Miller said. "We try to dictate to teams with our guards and now we have been getting to the free throw line instead of just shooting from the outside."

The results have been perfect so far, but Miller sees a lot of room for improvement.

"We need to swing the ball and play team ball," Miller said. "They are talented, so one-on-one is easier, but against the top teams that will not work."