Tosa West girls hoping to bust basketball slump

After starting the season with an 0-3 record, first-year girls basketball coach Ashley Imperiale looked toward the great Martin Luther King, Jr. for inspiration.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy."

Imperiale feels that statement explains her team's situation.

"I think the above quote sums up our team right now," she said. "We have had a heck of a tough first three games on our schedule, all the while being expected to learn a new coach's expectations, system, etc."

The Trojans, who dropped their non-conference opener to Waukesha North, 38-33, on Nov. 20, opened the Woodland-West Division play by losing their first two games by a combined 125-53 total.

They played at South Milwaukee (0-2) on Tuesday, host St. Francis (1-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday and travel to Greenfield (1-2) next Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

A loss at home

The Trojans lost to New Berlin Eisenhower in their Woodland Conference opener, 62-30, on Nov. 27 at home to start off the week.

Eisenhower jumped out to a 20-7 first quarter lead and then expanded it to 41-12 at intermission, with a 21-5 second quarter.

"I was disappointed in our sense of urgency during the Ike game," Imperiale said. "I thought we had a great week of intense, energetic practices leading up, but we came out flat and never really showed any of the aggressor's mentality that we want our girls to play with."

Not being ready to play the defending champions wasn't a good way to start the season.

"Obviously with an experienced team like Ike, coming out flat makes it pretty hard to ever get back in the game," Imperiale said. "I take responsibility for that loss though.

"We were flat and not energetic and that's on me to make sure we're mentally focused, excited and ready to go when the game starts."

If the Trojans had any idea of a comeback to start the second half, the Lions put a quick end to that with a 17-2 third quarter.

Jessica Pike led the Trojans with 13 and Latasha Harmon had five. Newcomer Sammy Kozlowski led the way with 16 points for Ike, followed by Katie Lang with 14 and Jenny Weiland with 12.

Defeated by Pewaukee

Last Friday at Pewaukee, the Trojans dropped a 63-23 loss to the Pirates.

The Trojans scored a total of three points in the first (two) and third quarter (one) while the Pirates were scoring 17 and 15 in those same periods. When you are outscored 32-3 in two quarters, your chances of victory are slim and none.

Tosa West did play better in the second quarter, trailing 21-11, and the fourth quarter, trailing 10-9.

"I thought we played well in the second and fourth quarters," Imperiale said. "But our first quarter really hurt us as we didn't take care of the ball or make good decisions against their full-court pressure."

Elise Ditscheit had seven points and Ashley Lindstrom added five. Abby Gerrits had 13 and Danielle Jasinski added 12.

Standing up to challenge

Imperiale did find some positives to take out of the loss.

"While the end result was not pretty, there were plenty of positives to take away," Imperiale said. "I was very happy with the energy and minutes we got off our bench. When we got into our half-court offense we started to make some of the reads and passes we've been repping in practice.

"Overall I was very pleased to see our girls be upset over the loss because I know they care and will continue to work hard," she continued. "The X's and O's will come, but the intangibles are there."