The boys basketball team lost its first game of the season on Friday, falling to section rival South Fayette 37-32.

South Fayette was able to go into the half with the lead largely because of their defense.

“They played really good team defense and packed in tight, so we had trouble driving to the rim,” senior Gabe Barakat said.

Fayette did a good job of holding the ball and taking good shots, senior Caden Cherico said.

Despite the slow start, Baldwin responded well in the second half.

“We got steals and got out in transition, which is when we are at our best,” junior Max Marzina said.

The boys also started to score more efficiently.

“A big key to the comeback was that we finally started scoring more consistently,” Barakat said.

However, Fayette had a one-point lead going into the fourth quarter, and they were able to hold on.

“They held the ball for minutes at a time on offense,” Marzina said. “In high school basketball, there is no shot clock.”

Barakat said that this tactic worked.

“They really weren’t scoring much when they held the ball, but they played great defense and we couldn’t score efficiently on our chances,” he said.

For the boys to get back into the win column they need to score at a higher rate, Barakat said.

Despite the tough loss, senior Nate Wesling still had a 21-point game for the Highlanders.

South Fayette’s win puts them at first in the section at 4-0.

The boys will play Ringold at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at home.