Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Leah Neverman of St. Edmond puts up a shot against Hampton-Dumont on Friday evening in the Gael gym. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Steve Neuberger knew positive tangible results were going to be difficult to come by to start the season.

The Gaels, who lost six seniors to graduation and their top returning player to a preseason injury, dropped a 63-25 decision to Hampton-Dumont here Friday night.

Much like in the season opener against eighth-ranked (Class 1A) Bishop Garrigan on Monday, St. Edmond (0-2 overall, 0-1 in North Central Conference) never got on track, falling in a 19-2 hole after the first.

The Bulldogs (2-0, 1-0), coming off a win over No. 15 (1A) AGWSR, scored the first 19 points of the game before Cambrie McBride sank a bucket to end the opening quarter.

“We knew playing Garrigan and Hampton-Dumont right off the bat was going to be tough, and it only got tougher losing Jocy (Timmerman),” Neuberger said. “But these girls, they continue to listen and work hard and I know we are going to get this thing on the right path.”

McBride scored eight points and Leah Neverman added eight with a team-high 11 rebounds. The Gaels shot just 8-for-25 from the field, though, and committed 31 turnovers in the game.

“I did think we took care of the ball better in the second half,” Neuberger said. “We struggled with their press like we did against Garrigan. We’ve got to be stronger with the ball and make better passes.

“For many of these girls, they are getting their first varsity experience and it is a big jump from JV to this level.”

Hampton-Dumont, who split with the Gaels a year ago, had three players in double figures led by Courtney Miller’s 16. Miller sank four 3-pointers, adding four steals.

Lauren Meader had 12 points and Avery Hanson added 10 with six rebounds and six steals.

For the Gaels, Gracie Harvey chipped in five points and Katie Flaherty had four.

Flaherty, a freshman, scored her first career varsity points when she knocked down a free throw in the second quarter. Her first field goal came in the fourth.

St. Edmond plays at home for the third consecutive time on Tuesday when they host Southeast Valley.

HAMPTON-DUMONT 63, ST. EDMOND 25

St. Edmond — Avery Galles 0-0 0-0 0, Cambrie McBride 3-7 1-3 8, Emma Neverman 0-1 0-0 0, Leah Neverman 3-8 2-2 8, Gracie Harvey 1-6 2-2 5, Katie Flaherty 1-2 2-4 4, Kelli Kersten 0-1 0-0 0, Leah Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Anna Kolacia 0-0 0-0 0, Klara Baker 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 8-25 7-11 25.

Hampton-Dumont — Kaci Arjes 0-3 0-0 0, Lauren Meader 4-8 4-5 12, Maci Arjes 2-8 0-0 5, Courtney Miller 5-8 2-2 16, Avery Hanson 5-10 0-2 10, Calista Polk 3-7 0-0 8, Briana Grover 2-7 1-2 5, Alana Johnson 0-2 0-0 0, Morgyn Anderson 1-2 0-0 2, Skyler Valley 1-2 0-0 3, Faith Grover 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-57 7-11 65.

Quarter scores: Hampton-Dumont led 19-2, 43-8, 54-18. Three-point goals: St. Edmond 2-5 (McBride, Harvey), Hampton-Dumont 8-28 (M. Arjes, Miller 4, Polk 2, Valley). Total rebounds: St. Edmond 21, Hampton-Dumont 32. Steals: St. Edmond 3, Hampton-Dumont 19. Blocked shots: St. Edmond 1. Turnovers: St. Edmond 31, Hampton-Dumont 10.