Positive signs, sans victory
At times it looked a bit wild and disjointed on both sides, but that’s what season openers are for. Along with first-game jitters, the New Hampton girls are learning a new system, and it might take a little time.
“This was a good first-game test,” said coach Chad Pemble after a 68-62 loss to MFL. “We knew MFL would be good, they’re very aggressive. We turned the ball over too much, but we turned them over a lot too.”
MFL, with former Chickasaw athlete Jason Winter in his first year as head coach for the Bulldogs, tied New Hampton 14-14 after a quarter and trailed the Chickasaws 26-24 at the half. But they pulled ahead early in the third quarter and with their press causing some New Hampton turnovers, MFL worked its way to a 13-point lead early in the fourth, 49-36.
“We did not rebound well, gave up way too many offensive boards,” said Pemble. “And we put them on the line too many times, but I liked the way our kids kept fighting, scratching and clawing their way back. They kept their heads and I’m proud of that.”
--The rest of the story may be found in the Nov. 24 Tribune.