As the calendar flips to January, the Reading boys have the makings of a true contender.

Led by guard Shea Donahue and forward Nahkeem Singleton, Reading is off to a 7-1 start, which includes a Middlesex League road win over Burlington and a key non-conference win over Pembroke.

The start to the Rockets’ season has also been highlighted by milestones. Tuesday’s win over Stoneham gave head coach Paul Morrissey his 300th career victory.

“We graduated a lot of kids and so we have some new faces,” Morrissey said. “We’ve had some injuries but are starting to get guys back. We’re certainly happy with where we are.”

Donahue is the catalyst for the Rockets. The 5-foot-9 senior is averaging over 20 points per game and has the ability to catch fire from beyond the arc, as evidenced by his seven three-pointers versus Burlington. Singleton transferred from Burke prior to last season but suffered a season- ending injury prior to the winter.

This year, the forward is imposing his will using his physicality and athleticism to complement Donahue down low. Singleton scored 18 in Morrissey’s 300th career win.

Running the offense is point guard Jack Murphy. The Rockets became more potent this past week when Jake Palm – who hit the game-winning shot versus Arlington in the state tournament last season – returned on Tuesday from injury.

“We need to become more defensive minded,” Morrissey said. “We have to defend more and we have to rebound at a higher level. We have a few kids that are battling some injuries since the end of their football seasons. As they get back into it we should get even better.”

Most impressive has been the Rockets’ ability to adjust to opponents’ playing styles. Morrissey’s group scored 73 points against a Pembroke team that plays an aggressive 2-3 zone trap for the entirety of its contests.

“We like to get outside of our comfort zone and play different types of teams,” Morrissey said. “There are good coaches and teams everywhere, so it’s great to go out and meet and play against new people.”

Reading hosts Lexington and Concord-Carlisle next week before taking a trip to Arlington on Jan. 12.

Dartmouth rolling

Dartmouth’s start to the girls season has been nothing short of perfect.

Led by star Kat Cheesebro, the Indians are 8-0 heading towards the midway point. Cheesebro, a junior guard, is averaging 26.5 points per game and scored her 1,000th career point in Dartmouth’s win over Greater New Bedford on Dec. 30.

Sophomore Kaelyn Zuber provides scoring depth at the guard position while Dartmouth has an inside presence in center Kate Sullivan. Dartmouth has won all but one game – its season opener versus Old Rochester – by double figures.

“Kat has taken her game to a new level and the rest of the team worked so hard this offseason,” Dartmouth coach Brian Jalbert said. “Kaelyn has improved so much and that has provided us so much more flexibility on offense.”

Lily Gangi has taken a leap as the team’s point guard a year after starting as a freshman. Her facilitation skills have provided open opportunities for Cheesebro and Zuber.

“We’ve got a good team. It’s been a while since we made a good run,” Jalbert said. “We need to stay focused. We cannot be satisfied. We’re still always chasing Bridgewater-Raynham in the league.”

The first highly anticipated matchup between Dartmouth and perennial state title contender Bridgewater-Raynham takes place Jan. 16. … Cedric Rodriguez had a reason to smile on Tuesday. The senior from Burlington scored his 1,000th career point in the Red Devils’ 55-54 win over Arlington.

Coach Paul Morrissey, shown during practice Wednesday, has the Reading Rockets off to a 7-1 start. (Staff Photo/Stuart Cahill/Boston Herald)