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CADIZ -- A 2-0 record to start the season may not seem like much to get excited to most programs. But for Meadowbrook, which hasn't accomplished that feet since 2005, it's kind of a big deal.
That's why the Colts, fresh off a convincing 48-18 victory on the road at Harrison Central, may have seemed a little more excited.
First-year head coach Chris Mills noted how big of a win it was, both in context of the last decade or so of MHS girls hoops, but also a win against a team coming off a 16-8 record that returned three starters, including its top player.
The last time Meadowbrook started 2-0 it was 2003.
A big part of this victory? Turnovers.
Meadowbrook forced 20 turnovers utilizing a mobile full-court press.
"Our goal is to be a super aggressive defensive team," Mills explained. "We want to be known as one of the best. That team was 16-8 last year and returned a lot of experience. We came out and executed. That first half of basketball, I can't ask for anything more."
The Colts forced seven turnovers the first eight trips Harrison made down its home floor. The results was a Meadowbrook 13-4 lead after one, a lead it never relinquished.
It was a stark contrast from the Huskies' double-digit win against Bellaire to start the season. In that contest, Harrison handled the ball far better.
Head coach Nick Yourkovich is hoping the first game, and not the second, is more representative of his team's capabilities for the season. Even if it's a bit of both, the Huskies were far from at their best Wednesday.
After all, Yourkovich's team returned two of its starting three guards and Dunkle is a four-year starter. They've seen a press or two in their days. But Wednesday, that knowledge of how to consistently beat it wasn't quite computing.
"We have two, three year starters at guard and Mckayla's been doing it for four years," Yourkovich said. "We're experienced enough to handle that, so I hope it ws just an off night. But they came out and got after it and were a lot more aggressive and physical than we were."
The trend continued into the second quarter. Harrison, aside from Dunkle's seven points at halftime, couldn't get much of anything going offensively. Even the Huskies leading scorer wasn't quire her normal aggressive self in the paint.
Dunkle did score 11 points, added 10 rebounds blocked a few shots, it wasn't the total dominance Yourkovich was used to seeing.
"We were not aggressive, even McKayla wasn't her normal self," Yourkovich said.
"We weren't being aggressive and we have to fix that. We have two days off, away from everyone else and we can come back together Saturday and get ready for Buckeye Local."
Freshman Kaily Banal backed Dunkle with five.
Across the hallway, Meadowbrook had four players finish with between eight and 12 points. Sophomore Kenli Norman and junior Kaylynn Gombeda evenly split 24 points to pace a balanced effort.
Norman worked high picks and her dribble, weaving through traffic while attacked the basket. Gombeda, meanwhile, was doing the dirty work as six of her points came directly off miss baskets.
Gombeda added 11 rebounds -- seven on the offensive end.
Right behind were fellow sophomore Karly Launder and senior Loryn Ogle. Ogle knocked down a trio of treys in the first half and played a solid floor game, adding five assists, a pair of steals and three rebounds. Launder backed her with eight points.
Mills was excited for the balanced offensive effort. But it's the defensive effort that had him truly excited.
"Harrison Central s a pretty good basketball team," he said. "But we are going to (make teams) turn the basketball over. We've grown so much this offseason as far as being disciplined in the press and flying around with our hands in the air.
Harrison Central won the junior varsity contest, 18-13. Meadowbrook was lead by freshman Emma Webster, who dropped in eight points.
UP NEXT:
The Colts take on Philo on Saturday afternoon.
Meadowbrook 48, Harrison Central 18
Meadowbrook13 22 11 2 - 48
Harrison Central4 5 4 5 - 18
M - Norman 5-18 1-2 12; Launder 4-7 0-0 8; May 2-2 0-0 5; Cannon 1-2 0-0 2; Ogle 3-9 0-0 9; Gombeda 5-9 -2 12; ;Webster0-1 0-0 0; Lasko 0-1 0-0 0; Combs 0-0 0-0 0; A.Combs 0-0 0-0 0; Totals: 20-48 3-4 48.
H - Dunkle 5-12 0-2 11; Fischer 1-6 0-0 2 Butler 0-3 0-0 0; Ferri 0-2 0-0 0; Harbold 0-4 0-0 0; Banal 2-8 0-0 5; Lewis 0-1 0-0 0; Ledger 0-1 0-0 0; Totals: 7-37; 0-2 18
3-point Goals: Norman, May, Ogle 3; Dunkle, Banal