With losses to Greater Metro Conference contenders Menomonee Falls and Sussex Hamilton last week, Wauwatosa East saw its losing streak extend to four in a row going into this week.
'When we looked at our schedule before the season, it was clear that this would be a challenging week,' Red Raiders coach Rob Hamill said. 'I thought we held up well Tuesday, but Friday was a completely different story.'
Falls needed a strong second half to defeat Tosa East, 56-41, on Dec. 11 at Tosa East.
The Red Raiders battled in the first half, only trailing 19-15. But then the Indians extended their lead to 33-24 after three periods and won going away. The Indians won the second half, 37-26.
Tosa East struggled from the free throw line (14-for-23) or the game might have been closer.
Falls' Erin Crownover had 14 points and Mikayla Robertson added 10. Tosa East's Katie Salmon led all scorers with 21 points, but only hit 5-for-10 from the free throw line.
'After competing well with another contender like Falls that has a good many skilled and experienced varsity players and then practicing well both Wednesday and Thursday, we felt good about our preparation and were on the right track as much we could be,' Hamill said. 'Friday's performance definitely showed otherwise.'
The Red Raiders ran into a buzz saw and lost to Sussex Hamilton by 53 points Friday, dropping a 69-16 decision, one of their worst losses in several years.
'Disappointed is not a strong enough word for how we all felt about Friday's game against Sussex,' Hamill said. 'Clearly they are very good and will be contending for the conference championship.'
The Red Raiders only managed three points in the first quarter, two points in the second and after scoring 11 points in the third period, they were blanked in the final quarter.
'Our only choice as far as I am concerned is for everyone involved with our team to learn something from Friday,' Hamill said. 'We need to pick ourselves back up and work hard to prepare for our next opponents.
'I think how we all respond to the disappointment from Friday night will show us something about our character and be an indicator for how the rest of the season will go.'
Mackenzie Latt led all scorers with 18 points and Jenny Shernell had 11. Salmon had eight points to lead the Red Raiders.
'I told the team afterward I believe that when the end of the season arrives we will look back on this past Friday and it will be the low point from which we responded and made steady improvement up to a successful conclusion.'