The Cranston East girls basketball team entered the week at 0-2 this young season as it continues to rebuild its program this winter.

The Bolts fell to Prout in a close 47-43 clash on opening day and more recently lost to the Pawtucket co-op 54-28 at home last Friday.

East trailed just 14-10 after a competitive first quarter, but Pawtucket rolled the rest of the way. East finished the second half scoring just 12 points.

Senior captain Mya Jiminez led the team with 17 points while freshman Rachael Yalartai added eight.

Although East came out the gate firing, the Bolts lost steam as the game progressed, which they felt was due to a lack of urgency.

“They played decently but tonight, and they said it themselves afterwards, they gave up. When we played Prout, we didn’t give up. We had a lead late in that game and a few mistakes are why we lost, but it wasn’t the effort. There are things that they are just going to have to work through,” said East coach Phil Goddard.

Despite the loss, Jiminez was dominant at times on each end of the floor. She will need to continue to be a difference maker each night for the Bolts to turn things around quickly, according to Goddard.

“Today she did great with her shot-pass balance. With the way the team is orchestrated, it’s top heavy. With that, her IQ and balance will have to be perfect game to game for us to win which is good for her growth. We’re OK with that,” said Goddard.

Goddard was also encouraged by Yalartai and is looking for more underclassmen to pitch in behind Jiminez.

“Rachael is our second best offensive player and as a freshman, it’s extremely important. I believe with her not being able to go back into the game (due to foul trouble), that is why the game went the way it went. That’s how important Rachael is,” Goddard said.

There was also some big news on the Pawtucket side of the court, as senior Armani Rivera sunk a pair of free throws to clinch her 1,000th career point in the second quarter.

East went on to face Coventry on the road on Tuesday night, but the results were not available at press time.

Jiminez led East in the opener against Prout with 23 points followed by Madison Gutierrez with seven.