Hillhouse suffered its first loss of the season Monday, falling to Career 58-46.

Would the game be different if Academics injured point guard Andreana Thomas played?

Probably.

Career played well and has tons of weapons, certainly making the Panthers a Class LL contender despite their current 2-2 mark.

But the Panthers sagged off Hillhouse defensively, forcing it to shoot. With Thomas' solid jumper, that plan wouldn't have been as successful. Also, Hillhouse's top scorer Bria Holmes did not have the ball in her hands enough. If Thomas played, that would have been a different story and Holmes likely would have finished with more than 15 points.

Bottom line is Hillhouse needs Thomas back. She is expected to return from her knee injury in January. Hopefully in time for the Academics' Jan. 16 matchup with Norwich Free Academy. That could be the state's best regular-season matchup of the year.