Success begins with an attitude and respect is earned. If the first game of the season is any kind of any indicator, it appears as though the Lady Tigers know what that means.

“They’re starting to understand what to do ... understand what it takes to win,” second-year head coach Henry Gehring Jr. said after watching his squad defeat Ontario 51-44 in the season-opener last night at the high school.

As has been the case more often than not over the past 10-plus seasons, the locals quickly found themselves trailing. Unlike the past, though, the Orange-and-Blue didn’t fold. Rather, they accepted the challenge and fought their way back to earn the victory.

“It’s great. It’s amazing,” the dapper-dressed Galion coach said as he fiddled with his necktie. “They’re gonna make me wear a suit every time if we keep winning,” he added with a laugh.

Less than two minutes into the game, Ontario was up 7-0. By the end of the opening period, Galion had cut the gap to four points, 14-10.

The Lady Tigers took the lead scoring six points in a 19-second span of the second frame. senior guard Tiffany Reed scored on a drive followed by back-to-back buckets underneath by six-foot junior Vanessa Chatman. Taylor Keesey knocked down a three-pointer in the period and canned a free throw in the final minute to put the locals up 25-24 at intermission.

The two teams played to a 9-9 standoff in the third stanza. Chatman scored six of Galion’s tallies on a trio of close-in buckets — two off of fine passes from Reed.

Chatman connected for another basket in the paint at the 7:36 mark of the fourth quarter, giving the locals a lead they would not relinquish.

After an Ontario two-pointer made it 36-35, the Orange-and-Blue went on a 7-0 that included a 15-footer by Keesey, a layup by Jessica Rodriguez after hauling in a 50-foot pass from Reed, and a three-point bomb from 23-feet out by freshman Peyton Beachy with 3:39 to go that made it 43-35.

“I have confidence in our freshmen,” said Gehring. “Actually, I have confidence in everybody. We’re a physical team.”

Of the 11 Lady Tigers who played, nine of them scored. Chatman popped in a game-high 15 points while Reed — a four-year starter — added 10 tallies and six assists.

Also for the winners, Whitlee Chatman had seven points, Keesey, six; Feeney, five; Rodriguez, four; plus freshman Jordan Kuns and 6’3” sophomore Samantha Hamar, two apiece.

Erica Uselton led Ontario with 10 points.

Galion made 14 two-point shots and a pair of three-pointers, while the Lady Warriors scored 18 two-pointers and tweo from behind the arc.

The difference was at the foul line. The Lady Tigers were 17 for 37 (46 percent) while Ontario attempted just 11 freebies, making four (36 percent).

The visitors committed 10 fouls in the first 10 minutes of the game and put Galion in double-bonus in each half.

In the junior varsity contest, Mary Court scored 12 points and Meagan Lehman added 10, but the Orange-and-Blue came out on the short end of a 39-28 count.

Both Galion squads suit up again on Tuesday when they play host to Bucyrus.