Slow starts against quality competition lead to losses.

Mohawk learned that the hard way against Seneca Valley in a 45-39 loss in the LGKG Holiday Classic at Riverside.

The Lady Warriors (7-2) stumbled out of the gate, trailing 16-7 after the first quarter.

“I don’t know what happened,” Mohawk coach Mike O’Lare said. “When you play a quality opponent like that, you can’t play quarters like that. We were playing catch up the whole game.”

Shelby Brown had a team-high 17 points for the Lady Warriors. Paige Ruby followed with 12.

“It’s good to play competition like this from different sections and different classes,” O’Lare said. “It prepares you for the playoffs. There’s never a night off.”