For many people, getting going can be the most difficult part of
whatever it is they are doing. From Monday mornings to thesis
statements in school term papers, the beginning is often times the
worst part of life. For the Woodland Park High School varsity
basketball team, the struggle comes in the first quarter of
games.
The Panthers, 1-10 on the season and 0-4 in the 4A Metro League,
lost to Conifer, 51-37, at home on Jan. 17. Woodland Park also had
its home game against Cheyenne Mountain on Jan. 19 postponed
because of winter weather.
The Panthers started slowly against Conifer, managing five
points and giving up 18 in the first period. Woodland Park had
trouble early with Conifer’s full-court press, which caused many
turnovers.
“We know our first quarters are a problem, but we work hard in
practice and our hearts are in it, so we’re trying to find it,”
junior center Caitlin Murphy said. “Last game they (Falcon) took a
10-0 lead on us in the first quarter and we fought back, but it’s
hard to come back from a 13-point lead in the first quarter,
there’s something missing.”