The new-look version of the Seton Keough basketball team took the court for the first time under first-year coach Jody Powell and gave a determined effort that their coach and fans enjoyed.
Although the Gators lost the season opener Thursday night, 49-44, to Elizabeth Seton High, of Bladensburg, they gave the home fans a thrill to the end.
"It's going to be fun to watch," said Powell, who took over for Jackie Boswell after she left to take the coaching position at Stevenson University. "We'll probably lose some games we shouldn't lose and win some games we shouldn't win."
The opener was a game in which the Gators were most likely underdogs, after graduating four senior starters from last year's 23-8 Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference finalists.
The only returning starter and top returning scorer, Stixz Wilson, was inactive because of a concussion.
They missed her ability to break down defenses, and her leadership.
The Gators also had first-quarter foul trouble from 5-foot-10 junior forward Hollie Booker and 5-7 senior Kayla McCormick, who started at point guard in place of Wilson.
Despite the obstacles and 14 first-quarter Gator turnovers, they still led after the first break, 7-6, thanks to five first-quarter points from McCormick, four steals from senior Miracle Davis and three rebounds and a sweet assist from junior forward Karli Zeps to Booker.
Four second-quarter points each from Zeps and sophomore forward Karigan Awkward helped them maintain a 24-22 halftime lead.
But the Roadrunners picked up the full court defensive intensity and rebounding and got four field goals from Janelle Hubbard (game-high 14 points) to forge ahead 35-34 after three quarters.
Forward Casey Davis, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, hauled down five of her game-high 16 rebounds in the period.
"I thought in the second half our kids were more aggressive on the boards and that made a difference because it gave us several opportunities and then we really beared down on defense," Elizabeth Seton coach Jonathan Scruggs said.
"We were outsized for sure, especially with Hollie Booker on the bench with foul trouble," Powell said.
They were outrebounded 36-25, but that didn't stop freshman Jade Porter (8 points, 6 rebounds) or Zeps (8 points, 8 rebound) from playing aggressive underneath.
Meanwhile, guards Miracle (3 points, 5 steals) and Destiny Davis (5 points, 3 steals) continued creating havoc in the backcourt, along with McCormick (5 points, 2 steals) and Brooke Fields (5 points, 3 steals).
They helped the Gators force 26 turnovers, while getting 18 steals.
"In the face of all that adversity, we responded really, really well," Powell said. "They never gave up, even towards the very end."
After falling behind by eight midway through the fourth quarter, Seton Keough rallied to within four on a basket by Porter with 1:32 remaining.
That closed the gap to 46-42, but Hubbard answered with a three-point dagger with 50 seconds remaining for a 49-42 lead and the Roadrunners held on.
"What you saw was two well-coached teams and coach Powell does a great job and they will be tough all year long," Scruggs said. "It was a good hard-fought game."