PLUM CITY — Elmwood/Plum City dug too big of a hole to climb out of in the season opener, losing 43-21 to a Prairie Farm/Clayton team with high expectations.

The first few minutes were a tough way to open for the Wolves, falling behind 23-3 with six minutes to play in the first half. Sophomore Polly Webb and junior Aurora Sampair helped cut the halftime deficit 27-13 at the half with a three a piece.

EPC was much improved in the second half, with a final score of 43-21 in favor of the BearCats.

“There was some first game nerves,” EPC Head Coach Adrian Hook said. “Some of the things that we want to do defensively, we just kind of had a brain fart on. The fact that the girls identified it [through watching film] and everything was a good sign.”

With a new offense this year, Hook said the Wolves need to continue working on patience to find their shot. Settling into the offense and waiting for the right time to strike could boost the 17% shooting percentage from opening night. Hook did see some good things under the new system as well, as the actions were creating opportunities.

Defensively, after the major run early, EPC locked in. Playing hard on that side of the ball slowed down the BearCats and created extra possessions.

“There was a collection of girls on the floor that really got after it defensively,” Hook said. “When that tenacity gets higher, the bench gets into it and it’s just a lot more fun to be a part of a game that way.”

A key storyline for this EPC season is that the Wolves return nearly everyone from the team a year ago. Hook has already noticed how much of a difference a team full of players with varsity experience can make.

“We don’t have to ask the girls to do things. Whether it’s warming up or getting shots up before we can go, one thing that I’ve been preaching since I took over last year is that when we wait for Elmwood to come to Plum City or vice versa for practice, our girls should be in the gym getting shots up,” Hook said.

Even most of the non-seniors were a part of last year’s team, working hard to build results as they run it back.

EPC takes on Clear Lake on Nov. 25 before heading into Thanksgiving, coming out of the break with a Dec. 4 matchup against Chetek-Weyerhaeuser.