Girls basketball: Lakers start slow, drop season opener

The Prior Lake girls basketball team couldn't get a win for its new coach in its season opener on the road Dec. 1.

But there were some encouraging signs.

The Lakers struggled in the first half shooting the ball, falling behind by 13 points, which turned out to be the margin of victory for Lakeville South (64-51).

Prior Lake was trying to win its opener for new coach Mike Gidley who took over the program from Paul Larson, who stepped down last spring for family reasons after 22 seasons, 310 career wins and three Class 3A section titles.

The Lakers played even with the Cougars in the second half (32-32). The problem was the first 10 minutes. The Lakers dug a hole early and then saw one of its top offensive players pick up three fouls.

Senior guard Emmy Eschrich was the only Laker in double figures, scoring 17 points. However, she sat much of the first half with three fouls. She scored 12 points in the second half, finishing 7 of 15 from the field, including hitting two three-pointers, grabbing five boards and leading the team with three assists.

Sophomore Molly Simpkins chipped in nine points for the Lakers and grabbed seven rebounds, while junior Megan Pold had eight points, nine rebounds, five steals and two blocks.

Sophomore forward Alyssa Eschrich had six points, both coming on three-pointers. She has also four rebounds. Junior Danielle Ostertag finished with five points, while sophomore Mariah Hovich had four.

The Lakers' second leading scorer last year, junior Erica Trabing, was held to just two points.

Prior Lake will try for its first win Thursday, Dec. 3 when it takes on another Lake Conference team, playing host to Eden Prairie at 7:30 p.m.