Skyline's Monica Ybarra, right, battles for the ball with Clinton's Kimberly Kuebler during the Eagles' 52-21 loss on Thursday. (Lon Horwedel | AnnArbor.com)

There will be better days ahead for the Skyline High School girls basketball program.

But Thursday night, in the fledgling school's first-ever regular season varsity basketball game, the Eagles took their expected lumps.

Facing a 38-9 deficit against visiting Clinton by halftime, Skyline coach Kristie Bilbie-Bekius emphasized one thing, above all, to her team.

"I told my girls, 'Stop looking at the scoreboard,'" she said.

That sentiment was by no means a cure-all, but it certainly helped in Skyline's 52-21 loss. (Rest of the story & photo gallery | Boxscore)