Coach Mark Dunn knew it would be a serious rebuilding job after he lost a team full of seniors following the 2009 season. So far it’s been more of a challenge than he bargained for. Sporting a roster without a senior, there will be growing pains for the Lady Dragons this year, as even the returning players saw limited action last season.

Despite their problems, there is hope that the underclassmen will form a solid nucleus to bring the program back to prominence.

The team did get some positive feedback this week when they won their first game of the year in a 59-56 win over Sandwich. However, games with established programs like Notre Dame on Saturday (58-33) will surely give the girls trouble.

Without an experienced scoring threat and a savvy ball-handler, the girls had a hard time over the weekend in their game with the Cougars.

Leading 3-2 in the first few minutes, ND Coach Michael Barrett put on the press and the Lady Dragon offense came to a halt, as the Cougars went on a 9-0 run to end the first quarter with a 12-2 lead.

Notre Dame’s offensive rebounding and Duxbury turnovers were instrumental in causing the Lady Dragon deficit. But the girls turned things around in the second quarter and matched the Cougars point for point.

A pair of three-pointers by junior guard Devon Tsinzo and a basket from 6’1” freshman forward Michela North got Duxbury within striking distance at 19-12 with 4:36 left in the half.

Baskets by freshman guard Katelyn Norton and junior guard Jenna Cusick with 1:48 to go made it 27-20 as the half neared, with both teams heading to the locker room with the Cougars ahead 31-21.

The progress the Lady Dragons made in the second quarter evaporated in the third, as ND went on a 15-5 run with pressure defense to make it 46-26 at the end of three.

Unable to find the hot hand, Duxbury found itself trying to match points in the final quarter. However, the visitors held the home team to just seven points and walked away with a 58-33 victory.

Norton was the high scorer for Duxbury with eight points, while Tsinzo was right behind with seven.

The girls (1-5) will travel to New Bedford on Wednesday night to take on the Whalers at 7 p.m.