After starting the season with high hopes, the Dolores High School girls basketball team has hit a wall.

Opening last week at home against Ridgway on Jan. 23, the Lady Bears struggled offensively throughout a 44-38 loss. Dolores led 12-8 at halftime, but struggled over the next three quarters.

"We played really good defense," said Lady Bears head coach Larry Schwartz. "It just came down to us not being able to put the ball in the bucket. We had opportunities to score, but we just couldn't make shots."

Junior guard Nicole Kibel led Dolores with 18 points, three assists and three rebounds. Junior Larissa Umberger scored 12 points and senior Taylor Elder had 14 rebounds.

Next facing off against Nucla at home on Jan. 24, Dolores again struggled to score points throughout a 46-37 loss.

Umberger led the Lady Bears with 9 points and Kibel and freshman guard Sierra Schwartz scored seven.

Wrapping up their tough three game stretch at home against Mancos on Jan. 27, the Lady Bears were soundly defeated by their rivals, 52-36.

After the game, Larry Schwartz expressed his frustration.

"Defensively, we were out of position," he said. "The girls were leaving their area and trying to do too much. We quit covering the middle with our (full-court) press and we looked flat footed defensively. Offensively, we were out of sync."

With the losses, the Lady Bears fell to 4-8 on the season. Things figure to get even tougher for Dolores when they face off against Ignacio at home on Jan. 30. Ignacio defeated the Bears 61-29 earlier this season.

"We have to start playing together and coming together as a team," said Larry Schwartz. "We have the talent. We just have to figure out how to use it."