The Old Rochester Regional High School girls basketball team began its 2014-2015 season at home Saturday, Dec. 13. The Lady Bulldogs took on the Whalers of New Bedford High School.

The game started off on a good note as ORR jumped out to an 11-0 lead in the first quarter. The Whalers turned the ball over repeatedly, giving the Lady Bulldogs plenty of opportunities to jump out ahead. When the first quarter ended, ORR was securely ahead 11-2.

The second quarter saw ORR maintain its lead. Freshman Emily Hiller sent the Lady Bulldogs into the locker room in a good mood with her buzzer beating 3-point shot to end the second quarter.

But, the second half was a different story as ORR’s comfortable lead began to dwindle. The Whalers’ offense kicked in as Whaler senior Cassie White started draining her shots. Simultaneously, the Lady Bulldogs had problems with foul shots. Overall, ORR went 10 for 37 from the foul line.

This statistic, “lets us know what we have to work on,” said coach Bob Hohne.

The Whalers pulled to within three points of the Lady Bulldogs several times.

Thankfully, ORR’s defense preserved the team’s lead for the entirety of the game. The Lady Bulldogs won 38-35.

“It’s always good to win the first game,” Hohne said.

Senior captain Kaleigh Goulart and sophomore Olivia Labbe were the largest parts of ORR’s offense, contributing nine and eight points, respectively. Tied for third-highest scorer with seven points were senior captain Ashley Pacheco and sophomore Sophie Church.

The Lady Bulldogs next travel to Case high school Tuesday, Dec. 16.