Park’s girls basketball was so close to its first win of the season the players could taste it.

But in the final hectic seconds it all slipped away.

After trailing most of the second half, Park closed to 47-45 with 13.2 seconds left and had a shot at a final possession but couldn’t get the ball in bounds after a time out. White Bear Lake added a free throw for a three-point lead.

Then the Wolfpack couldn’t get a shot off in the final 11 seconds and dropped the game.

Park slipped to 0-3 on the season with a tough 48-45 loss in Suburban East Conference play Friday, Jan. 22.

White Bear Lake improved to 3-0.

“We battled, I was really proud of our girls,” said Park head coach Stephanie Tolkinen. “The heart they showed, the competitiveness they showed. There was just a little miscommunication late in the game. So, we’ll learn from it.”

Park’s play was much improved Friday after dropping a 67-59 decision at Woodbury Tuesday night, said Tolkinen.

“We challenged them the last couple of days about bringing energy and competing and they really made a difference tonight,” Tolkinen said.

Sophomore guard Emma Ambroz scored 14 points to lead the Wolfpack offensively. Tori Henderson added nine, while Elsa Olson and Justine Jameson had seven each.

The first half was tight, with neither team leading by more than four points. Park led 24-22 at the break.

White Bear Lake went on a mini run midway through the second half, turning a 32-31 deficit into a 42-35 lead with seven minutes to play. Park rallied and closed the gap several times, but could never quite get over the hump. The Bears clung to a 43-41 lead with two minutes left and were up 45-43 with a minute to play.

But the Wolfpack committed a turnover off an inbounds attempt the failed to get a shot off in the final seconds.

Executing in key situations will be a point of emphasis in the next practices, Tolkinen said.

“Situational play a little bit, just execution, trying to get on the same page on offense,” the Park coach said. “These kids are still building their chemistry even though five of them played varsity last year, it’s different. We’re trying to build a chemistry, trying to get to know each other a little bit, understanding the roles. And just playing and executing consistently. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Park plays at East Ridge (2-1) Tuesday, Jan. 26, tipping off at 7 p.m.

Park guard Tori Henderson puts up a shot against White Bear Lake in the final minutes Friday. Photo by John Molene