More than nine months after the Skyline Eagles earned the 5A girls state basketball title, most of the same players gathered for the first game of the 2006-07 season.

The team played so well in its 60-29 win over 4A runner-up Bonneville in the High School Hall of Fame Classic, that it didn't appear the players had taken even a single day off. The Eagles moved the ball well; they defended well; and their chemistry appears to be as solid as their basketball skills.

"That is a great basketball team," said Bonneville coach Mae Miya.

The squad was led by junior point guard Jenteal Jackson, who led all scorers with 18 points, while junior forward Dani Peterson added 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots. While coach Deb Bennett was pleased with the way her team played, she was mostly relieved to have the first game in the books.

"The best thing is that we just get to play the first game and get through the emotion and excitement of it," she said. "Practice becomes more meaningful after you play one."

Her players were happy to have unfamiliar challenges.

"We were mostly excited to finally get out and play," said Jackson. "You can only beat up on each other for so long."

Bennett liked her team's effort and chemistry throughout the contest, which the Eagles dominated from start to finish.

"I liked our transition, and we improved our passing," Bennett said. "It was exciting to see things ... executed so well. I was pleased with how we played. It was a good way to start."

Miya had to start the season without three starters, including last year's leading scorer Jessie Baddley. Baddley and guard Carly Hurst both suffered knee injuries and should be back mid-season. Junior forward Jordyn Bell is also out until mid-January.

"Those were three key components for us," said Miya, Bonneville's athletic director who took over the team after last year's coach, Matt Williams, was named the school's head football coach. "It was a good experience for them to play without these players."

She singled out senior guard Erika Combe, who finished with seven points, for her effort in the game. Forward Jennifer Bell added nine points for the Lakers.

"She played fantastic tonight," said Miya. "She really grew up a lot tonight."

The Hall of Fame Classic is sponsored by the UIAAA and raises money to fund scholarships offered by the group made up of high school athletic directors. During halftime of the boys game, which pitted 5A defending champion Bingham against Taylorsville, the late John Bowman, who coached at Taylorsville, was honored for his service to prep sports.

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E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com