The Lady Lobos lost to the Grace Academy Lady Eagles 10-34 Friday night.

The young women came out that evening focused and hungry for points but first night jittters did play a part in their game. Grace Academy put points on the board in the first quarter and led 10 – 0 during the Lady Lobos’ first game of the season. The crowd was behind the young women, and there were several stunning fast breaks led by Sarah Stanley, with assists by Moira Crawford and Alexa Ogden, who took advantage of Grace Academy, snatching the ball several times for passes intended for Lady Eagles.

Grace Academy’s performance was uneven as well; some players seemed laden with experience while others lost control of the ball numerous times. By the second quarter the Lobos were loosening up, being far more fierce in the key and taking more shots and getting their game on.

First games being what they are, there were many fouls, mistakes and penalties – pushing, traveling, personal fouls, and double dribbling abounded, but the assorted fouls and errors did not detract from the fast pace of the game or the spirit of both teams.

Marina Steinbrueck was aggressive in the key, getting the ball out of there and down to her teammates on fast breaks. Ruthie DeGraaf worked hard, pounding down the court for some nice shots to the basket on fast breaks. Malisha Burson was so good at nabbing the ball that she had several defenders covering her in the key as she fought to get the ball down the court. Ruthie DeGraaf and Sarah Stanley both had nice shots, inside the arc and outside. Hannah Hobi was there with Sarah Stanley on the set ups in her position as forward. After all was said and done, the Lady Eagles left with more points on the board, but given the youth of the Lady Lobos they did their school and themselves proud in their first game of the season.

The Lady Lobos played again on Dec. 9, Tuesday, against the Lummi Nation. Look for a story next week’s edition.