A rugged week when the Park Wolfpack squad off against the best in the Suburban East Conference, the Wolfpack can now refocus for the rest of the season.

Visiting White Bear Lake dominated the early going Friday, jumping out to a 34-18 lead by halftime and cruising to a 65-53 win over the Wolfpack.

Park actually outplayed the Bears in the second half, outscoring the visitors 35-31 after intermission but it was the classic case of too little, too late.

It was Park’s fourth straight loss after a 6-2 start. The Wolfpack fell to 3-4 in the SEC and 6-6 on the season. White Bear Lake improved its record to 4-3 in the conference and 9-6 overall.

“Well, we need to show up,” said Park head coach Stephanie Tolkinen. “I just felt like tonight we just weren’t psychologically, emotionally ready to play and it showed in the first half. We were kind of all over the place, out of synch, didn’t really play together. There were no adjustments except just addressing the behaviors that we need better, more productive energy, more productive, just playing together on the court and then when they started doing a little bit better.

“Defensively we didn’t really have to change anything,” Tolkinen continued. “I just think we needed – they’re making shots, they’re good shooters, they’re a good team. Offensive end we just needed to play better. And I think in the second half we ran stuff, we were more together but we actually ran the offense from side to side, we looked, we moved the ball better, passed the ball better, got some openings, kids made shots. I thought we got good looks in the first half. We didn’t knock them down. I think there was a little frustration early. Then the energy got much better in the second half and then when shots were made, energy picked up, defense, rebounding was a little better. So, we’ve just got to come back to work. Kids just got to be able to bring better focus every single day.”

Junior guard Graycie Smith led Park with 16 points, Hailey Kieffer added 10, Tenley Nelson 9 and Olivia Czarnota 8. But Park leading scorer Mesa Jameson was held to just two points Friday, three days after a rugged battle with conference-leading East Ridge.

Park plays at Roseville (5-7, 3-4) on Wednesday, then hosts Woodbury (7-8, 2-6) Friday in another pair of SEC battles, both starting at 7 p.m.

East Ridge 67, Park 47

Visiting East Ridge took a 20-point decision from the host Park Wolfpack in Suburban East Conference girls basketball Tuesday night.

The Raptors led just 27-25 at the half but outscored the Wolfpack 42-20 after the break.

Hailey Kieffer scored 15 points to lead Park, Gracie Smith had 10 and Olivia Czarnota 9.