The Badgers’ eighth-grade Blue team made a giant leap in the right direction.

After being blown out by Marble Falls 50-30 in the season-opener, Lampasas gave Copperas Cove Lee all it could handle before falling by five points, 48-43, at home.

Despite the loss, head coach Aaron Nuckles was pleased with his team’s performance.

“This was a back-and-forth game the whole way,” the coach said. “We played a more complete game than our last time out. We just missed too many layups and had way too many turnovers.

“Defensively, we worked very hard, but gave them a few open shots late in the game which really hurt.”

The Badgers were led by Blake Lolato’s impressive outing. The point guard posted team-highs with 12 points, five assists and five steals.

Josh Riffel, Shon Howard and Ralph Marez added six points apiece. Cutter Estep added five points, and Devin Dickens and Chism Carpenter both scored four points.

Estep was the team’s top rebounder for the second time in two games, pulling down 11 boards against Lee. As a team, Lampasas finished with 27 rebounds.

The Badgers also recorded double digits in steals and assists with 10 of each.

Dickens dished out four assists to complement Lolato and added two steals.

“This group is getting closer every day,” Nuckles said.

Lampasas (0-2) travels to Burnet this weekend for a two-day tournament before facing Hill Country on the road Monday.

The Blue team does not play at home again until Jan. 11 when it hosts Hill Country.