When a team has dropped seven of its first eight games, it’s probably difficult at times to see the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. The Lyons Township girls basketball team, owner of the aforementioned losing streak, is trying to view this season with a healthy perspective, perhaps even calling for an occasional dose of realistic levity from its coach.

“We’re starting to get used to it; we are in a hole a lot,” said LT coach Dawn Schabacker, with a slight laugh reflecting on the Lions’ arduous season.

Jokes aside, rest assured that the very competitive Schabacker and the junior-laden Lions are working hard with designs on improvement. Unfortunately, the Lions found themselves in another bunker during a 48-33 West Suburban (Silver) Conference loss to Hinsdale Central on Saturday afternoon at the LT north campus.

With the score tied at 4-4, the visiting Red Devils took the lead and never looked back. With a 13-3 spurt they pushed out a 17-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Six-foot-1-inch senior forward Lindsey Williams (17 points, 7 rebounds) and sharp shooting sophomore guard Madison Whitley (10 points) accounted for all of the Red Devils’ scoring with seven and six points, respectively, during the flurry.

“Hinsdale Central is a very nice team,” Schabacker said. “We hung with them a little bit and we worked on some things, but we were just outmatched. My kids kept playing till the end, and that’s all I can ask for from them.”

Trailing 22-7 with 2:48 left until intermission, the Lions finally found some offensive success led by Ashley Campos and Amy Blackwood. Campos converted a free throw, nailed a three-pointer and assisted Blackwood on a three-point play to fuel a 7-0 run to close the gap to 22-14.

“We tried our best, but our shots just didn’t fall for us,” Campos said. “We are all young, so I think we will learn from our mistakes. In practice, it’s different but I think we get some jitters when we are on the court. A lot of it is mental for us. I know we will work hard through this year.”

Hinsdale Central (9-0) expanded its 25-14 advantage by outscoring Lyons 12-4 during a productive third quarter. The Red Devils enjoyed their biggest lead of the game at 37-18 with 1:32 left in the period.

“Offensively, we are trying to work on execution,” said Hinsdale Central coach Steve Gross. “We are not consistent with it, but luckily it’s still early in the season. (LT) ran their offense very patiently, screened us forever and made us play defense.”

In the fourth quarter, the Lions outscored Hinsdale Central 15-11, sparked by Jill Keeve’s 11 points during the final stanza. Keeve scored 15 points on the afternoon, while Campos (six points), Blackwood (five points), and reserve Sarah Hoffman (three points) contributed on both ends of the floor.

“The thing that I am trying to drive into their heads is that we are really young throughout the program,” Schabacker said. “I told them we have to keep our focus on us.”

Lyons shot 62.5 percent from the line making 10-of-16 free throws and committed 13 turnovers against Hinsdale Central. The Lions (1-7) visit Proviso West tonight (Wednesday) for a 6:30 p.m. tip off before returning home for a Friday night game at 7 p.m. against Washington.