Red Raiders look to get back in the win column

Being realistic, there are at least three other Greater Metro Conference teams the Wauwatosa East girls basketball team should compete against for four quarters this year, and one of them - West Allis Hale - is next on the schedule.

The improved Red Raiders (2-6 overall, 1-2 GMC) host Hale (2-6, 1-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday in East's first home game since beating last-place Brookfield East, 48-30, Dec. 9.

That game is also Tosa East's last win as it has lost four straight decisions: Menomonee Falls (79-32), Sussex Hamilton (56-27), St. Francis (40-37) and Whitefish Bay (40-21).

Despite the 19-point loss to the unbeaten Blue Dukes (8-0) on Dec. 29, there were some positives to talk about.

"Overall this game was a step in the right direction," Tosa East coach Rob Hamill said. "I think people should be reminded that (Bay) went to state last year, are essentially the same squad. They have yet to lose a game this year.

"They have good players with good size and ability and are coached well."

The Red Raiders battled the Blue Dukes to a 14-14 tie at intermission in a low-scoring affair.

"We were tied at half not because Bay was playing poorly, but because we were playing well," Hamill said. "Our inside players responded to the challenge we gave them after the St. Francis game to play much more physically."

Hamill was pleased with the play of seniors Lydia Taylor, a 5-11 post, and Heather O'Keeffe, a 5-9 forward.

"Lydia and Heather especially responded and gave Whitefish Bay's two big inside players all they could handle defensively."

Hamill was also pleased with the Red Raiders' offense in the first half.

"We also ran our offense effectively in the first half," he said. "Alayah Walls really was solid. She hit a couple of big shots for us to give us a lead for most of the first half and saw the floor well to set up others for better shots.

"I think Alayah is the kind of player that can compete hard on both ends of the floor every minute of every game. I think she actually gets better as the minutes go by."

Unfortunately, the Blue Dukes' defense kicked in in the second half and rolled to a 26-7 advantage. They outscored the Red Raiders, 12-4 and 14-3, in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.

"The second half was a little bit of a different story," Hamill said. "Bay increased their defensive pressure; we turned the ball over too many times and they took advantage."

Despite the loss, Hamill felt his team took a step in the right direction because of the quality of the competition.

"Overall it is a game we can build on in a positive way as we now begin to match up with conference opponents," he said. "If we can maintain the physical presence inside and work with the intensity we had in the first half we are going to be alright."

Walls and Taylor each scored six points to lead the Red Raiders, as only six players scored.

Moving forward, though, East needs three more wins to surpass last year's overall total (4-20) and one more win to better last season's GMC mark (1-13).

If the Raiders are to get a victory on Friday, they must use that same defensive pressure they displayed in the first half against Bay on the Huskies' two senior guards, Erin Barbeau (8.8 points per game) and Jennifer Stawicki (7.3).