Red Hawks drop season opener to Altoona

The 2025-26 season got off to a tough start for the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau girls basketball team, as they suffered a lopsided loss in their first game of the year.

The Altoona Railroaders (2-0) came into Galesville and handed the Red Hawks (0-1) a 58-22 defeat in both the season and home opener for the Red Hawks this past Thursday. Altoona previously beat Eau Claire North 64-54 on the road two days earlier on the first night of competition in Wisconsin.

The Railroaders dominated the first half, opening up a 23-1 lead as G-E-T did not score their first basket from the field until nearly 15 minutes into the proceedings. Altoona led by as much as 25 on a couple of occasions late in the first half and held a 30-6 advantage at the intermission.

The Railroaders held a less lopsided 28-16 edge during an academic second half.

Lexi James tallied nine points to lead the way for the Red Hawks, while Jasmen Klika and Kennadie Berg each scored 12 points for Altoona.

Following Thanksgiving break, G-E-T returns to action to play La Crosse Logan on Friday at 7:15 p.m. in La Crosse.