By ALEX SPONSELLER Despite featuring one of the younger rosters in the division, the Toll Gate girls basketball team got off to a solid 3-2 start to begin the winter season.

The Titans were most recently in action against Mt. Pleasant on Tuesday where they dropped a 54-22 decision. Adeline Areson led the way with seven points while Sydney Perreault added six. The Titans’ last victory came last weekend when they beat visiting Hope 49-42. Areson led Toll Gate with 14 points while Perreault scored 13.

“At practice, everything is fluent and the progression is there,” said Toll Gate coach Owen Paquet. “Every week is getting better. In gametime situations, things are getting better. The back court of Adeline Areson and Sydney Perreault has been unbelievable. Two very quick athletes that are both offensive and defensive minded, see the court well. Our front court has been pretty solid. The progression has been there.”

In such an unusual winter season, many of the underclassmen have been thrown in the fire out the gate and have battled through a condensed schedule. Although things have been a bit hectic at times, Paquet feels that it may pay dividends for the younger players moving forward.

“It’s learn as we go, there are a lot of freshmen that have not seen the intense play in our division, so it is a great learning process. It’s a great year to learn. It’s been a challenge at times for the team and individuals, but everyone is growing and every experience they have shows them what they need to do to execute and win,” said Paquet.

Paquet has already seen some fast maturation as well.

“With such a young team, it was surprising to get off to such a good start. Some of those wins were veteran wins with ball security and finishing off the games. Our losses have been (due to) skill set, we ran into a higher level of scoring and defense,” said Paquet.

The Titans will now work to build for the future and are eyeing a playoff spot in the coming weeks. Toll Gate played on Wednesday afternoon, but the results were not available at press time.

“We’re working on the intensity. Bringing intensity to practice then carrying it over into games,” Paquet said. “Rebounding as well, not giving up second chance opportunities, ball security. We’re working on team chemistry as we move forward too. But overall, the fundamentals are improving.”