For new Mount Hebron coach Pat Becker and some of her players, last night's 54-41 victory over 15th-ranked Poly meant more than simply starting the season on a winning note.
It signaled a triumphant beginning to the post-Dave Greenberg era.
In their first game in 16 years without Greenberg -- now the coach at Centennial -- the host and 13th-ranked Vikings set out to gift-wrap a win for their new mentor on her 45th birthday.
"Everyone expected us to not be too good because we lost a couple players and our coach," said point guard Alisha Mosley. "We wanted to show that we could come out here and win for coach Becker."
Mosley was the key, slashing through the Engineers' defense to score a game-high 19 points while also collecting team-highs in rebounds (seven) and assists (three).
Her smothering defensive play was also a large factor. After a 10-0 Poly run gave the visitors a 33-32 lead midway through the third quarter, the Vikings (1-0) -- whose defense forced 26 turnovers -- finished the game by outscoring the Engineers, 22-8, and holding them to 3-for-24 shooting in the final 11 minutes.
For Becker, winning her first game at Mount Hebron was simply a relief.
"It's been a lot of pressure for them and some pressure for me," said Becker, the former Bryn Mawr coach who replaced Greenberg after 16 years and six state championships.
"These kids had a lot to prove today, and they proved it with heart."
But at times during the game, it looked as if her first win might have to wait.
Poly (0-1) used its quickness to score the game's first eight points, and led, 10-4, after Monica Harrison's layup.
Then, after trailing, 31-23, at halftime, the Engineers exploded out of the locker room, scoring 10 points to regain the lead, 33-32.
That, however, was the last time that Poly would lead. After a six-minute scoring drought, the Engineers got as close as 42-35 early in the fourth quarter before Mount Hebron pulled away.
Throughout the game, each time Poly made a run, the Vikings -- led by Mosley, Kathy Doyle (12 points) and Erin McGinnis (eight) -- answered with a run of their own.
"In my opinion, we looked extremely out of shape," said Poly coach Mark Sawyer, whose team is coming off its first 20-win season in school history. "We were real tired at big points of the game.
"We made our runs but then we let them take control."
Poly, which also was hurt by foul trouble, was led by forward Kelly Logan (14 points), guard Kendall Peace (13) and forward Jawai Maith (10).
Now, Becker and the young Vikings have answered some of their critics, though the litmus test won't come until later this month when they get into the heart of their tough Howard County schedule.
"I'm very happy with the way we played," said Becker. "We made a lot of mistakes, but we were able to get over them and get back into our game. I think we proved something to ourselves today."