Pickford Closes Out 19-1 Overall
By David Latva

Pickford seniors are (from left) Veronica Gough, Jessie Ledy, Renae Reich, Caitlin Mortinsen, and Chelsey O'Connor.

Pickford girls basketball team closed out one of its most successful seasons in recent years with a perfect 8-0 record in the Eastern Upper Peninsula Conference after a 62-56 win over Engadine Tuesday, November 7, and upended Rudyard 56-52 in the final home game of the season Friday, November 10, to improve its overall mark to 19-1.

Ledy, O'Connor Lift Panthers

Jessie Ledy scored 21 points and Chelsey O'Connor notched 20 to lift the Panthers over the Eagles in the final league game for both teams.

The Eagles led 17-12 after the first eight minutes before the Panthers held a 14-11 scoring edge in the second quarter to cut the Engadine lead to 28-26 at halftime.

Pickford came out firing in the third quarter, outscoring Engadine 19-4 to build a 45-32 lead going in the fourth quarter. The Eagles, playing in their final home contest, never quit, however, and cut the Panthers lead to eight. O'Connor made five clutch free throws to ice the win for the Panthers.

This was the final home game for Engadine seniors Nicole Benoit and Elicia Derusha.

Panthers Stats: Jessie Ledy, 21 points; Chelsey O'Connor, 20 points; Caitlin Mortinsen, nine points; Melissa Kucharczyk, six points; Renae Reich, three points; Courtney Bruni, two points; Veronica Gough, one point.

Eagles Stats: Elicia Derusha, 27 points; Nicole Benoit, eight points; Tristina Browning, eight points; Lauren MacArthur, seven points; Shauni Rutledge, six points.

Fourth Quarter Free Throws

Carry Panthers Past Bulldogs

Caitlin Mortinsen scored three field goals, and Courtney Bruni, Melissa Kucharczyk, and Renae Reich combined for eight free throws in the fourth quarter to carry Pickford to the non-league win against Rudyard.

"This is a team that is on a mission and doesn't want to lose," said Panthers Head Coach Becky Arbic. "We have had two tough games (Engadine and Rudyard) to close out the season and that will prepare us for the tournaments."

Rudyard held a 43-42 scoring edge after three quarters before Pickford took the lead for good early in the final period. Mortinsen scored six points, Bruni was threefor five from the charity stripe, as Kucharczyk shot three-for-six, and Reich two-for-two. The Panthers outscored the Bulldogs 14-9 in the closing eight minutes to post the win.

Pickford led 17-12 after the first eight minutes before Rudyard held a 15-7 advantage in the second quarter for a 27-24-halftime lead.

The Panthers cut the Bulldogs lead to 43-42 with an 18-16 margin in the third quarter before completing the contest with a five-point offensive advantage.

Pickford seniors playing in their final home game were Chelsey O'Connor, Jessie Ledy, Renae Reich, Caitlin Mortinsen, and Veronica Gough.

Panthers Stats: Caitlin Mortinsen, 19 points, nine rebounds; Jessie Ledy, 12 points; Courtney Bruni, 10 points; Chelsey O'Connor, six points, five rebounds; Melissa Kucharczyk, six points, five rebounds; Renae Reich, three points; Veronica Gough, five rebounds, three steals, two assists.

Bulldogs Stats: Corine Ross, 16 points; Erin Jarvie, 14 points; Betsy Wileman, 12 points; Shantel Sorrell, six points; Kelli Koivisto, Mandy Hesselink, two points each.

Panthers JV Record Win

Pickford won the junior varsity game 45-33 with Jenna Ledy scoring 16 and Rachel Schmitigal adding 13 while Katie Biang led the Eagles with 11 points.